Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathryn Eisman.
Hi Kathryn, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve always believed that fashion is more than fabric — it’s psychology in motion.
I grew up in Sydney, Australia, completely obsessed with how what we wear shapes who we are. While my friends were playing sport, I’d spend my lunch breaks in the school library devouring every fashion magazine I could get my hands on — Vogue, US Weekly, Harper’s Bazaar. I wanted to understand the invisible connection between confidence, identity, and style.
That obsession became my compass. After graduating from university, I moved to New York with two suitcases and a dream to tell meaningful stories about people and culture. I became a reporter and producer for NBC’s Today Show, covering lifestyle and human-interest stories that explored what really makes people tick. Later, I joined E! News as the Head of Fashion & Lifestyle, interviewing hundreds of Hollywood’s biggest names — from Beyoncé and Reese Witherspoon to George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez — and reporting on global fashion trends from New York, Paris, and Los Angeles.
Over the years, I realized what fascinated me most wasn’t just the clothes — it was what they revealed about us. That idea inspired my two international bestselling books, How to Tell a Man by His Shoes and How to Tell a Woman by Her Handbag, both playful yet revealing studies of personality and psychology through style. The books were published in multiple languages, featured everywhere from The New York Times to Oprah, and sparked a global conversation about what our choices say about us.
Most recently, I created and hosted the Paramount+ docu-series Undressed with Kathryn Eisman, where I quite literally “undress” the emotional layers behind our clothes, showing how what we wear tells the truth about who we are.
After years of reporting on fashion from the outside, I felt compelled to create something from the inside — a brand that embodied everything I’d learned about confidence, psychology, and self-expression. That’s how High Heel Jungle was born.
What started as a passion project at my kitchen table has evolved into a category-defining fashion accessories brand — worn by Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, and Sarah Jessica Parker, and sold in Nordstrom, Anthropologie, Free People, Shopbop, and The Iconic.
At its heart, High Heel Jungle is about more than socks or tights — it’s about how you stand. It’s wearable confidence, for women who lead with individuality, wit, and style.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the challenges along the way?
Definitely not smooth — but absolutely worth every bump.
Coming from a media background, I knew how to tell a story, connect with an audience, and build a brand — but I had zero experience in manufacturing. When I launched High Heel Jungle, I was learning everything in real time: sourcing fabrics, sketching designs, working with overseas factories, managing late shipments, navigating customs — all while being eight months pregnant.
There were days when I’d be on a conference call about yarn composition while timing my contractions. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was real. That season of life taught me more about grit, leadership, and adaptability than any career before it.
As a former journalist, I was used to asking the questions — not fabric-testing samples or managing production timelines across time zones. But I became obsessed with getting it right. Every thread, every fit test, every heel grip — perfection mattered.
Today, High Heel Jungle has grown into one of the fastest-growing hosiery and accessories brands in the world. On any given day, I’ll get messages from some of the world’s top stylists — the people who dress celebrities for Vogue covers, red carpets, and global campaigns — requesting our pieces. And just as special are the women who wear our designs for everyday moments: their first job, their first date, their wedding day. That’s the part that makes all the 2 AM calls with factories and delayed shipments completely worth it.
When I look back, it still amazes me that this all started at my kitchen table — while working as a reporter, chasing a dream, and trying to build something meaningful from the ground up.
High Heel Jungle was born out of equal parts purpose and persistence — and it’s proof that you don’t have to have it all figured out to start. You just have to start.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about High Heel Jungle by Kathryn Eisman?
High Heel Jungle redefines what “everyday essentials” can be.
We create socks, tights, gloves, and footcare accessories that merge runway-level design with real-world function. It’s fashion you feel — literally and emotionally.
Our brand sits at the intersection of style and psychology — because how you feel in your body changes how you show up in the world. We believe in “wearable confidence.” Every pair of socks or tights is crafted to elevate your outfit and your mindset.
We’re known for premium quality, innovative design, and celebrity cult status — but what I’m most proud of is the emotional impact. Women write to us saying that wearing High Heel Jungle makes them feel powerful again, that it helps them reconnect with confidence, femininity, and joy. That’s the real success.
Our tagline says it best:
“High Heel Jungle isn’t just what you wear — it’s how you stand.”
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up in Sydney, spending my lunch breaks in the school library devouring Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar while my friends were on the field. Fashion was my way of understanding the world — a secret language of confidence and self-expression.
I also loved writing poetry, short stories, anything that captured emotion and beauty. Looking back, High Heel Jungle was the perfect fusion of those two loves: storytelling and style.
Pricing:
- You can shop the collection at www.highheeljungle.com or find us at Nordstrom, Anthropologie, Free People, and The Iconic. Follow us at @highheeljungleofficial for a peek behind the scenes and to join the women (and men) around the world stepping into themselves — one pair at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.highheeljungle.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highheeljungleofficial/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HighHeelJungleSocks/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-eisman-58161211/?originalSubdomain=au
