Spanx founder, Sara Blakely, is entering the luxury shoe market with her new brand Sneex.
This innovative line combines the elegance of traditional high heels with the comfort and performance of sneakers.
For 25 years, Blakely has championed women through her products, focusing on comfort to challenge the idea that “beauty is pain.” Her shapewear solutions have already made a significant impact, and now she’s turning her attention to high heels.
Introducing ‘Hy-Heels’
Blakely’s new line features what the company calls ‘hy-heels’—comfortable hybrid heels that resemble sneakers but come with a stiletto heel. Crafted from fine napa leather and suede sourced from Italy and Spain, these shoes are designed to be both stylish and functional.
The patent-pending design addresses three major pain points typically associated with high heels. Sneex aims to provide “comfort and walkability without compromising style,” closing the gap between the foot and the sole to create a snug fit that feels “like a hug.” The design also respects the natural shape of the toes to prevent discomfort and squeezing.
Additionally, the weight distribution is re-engineered to alleviate pressure on the ball of the foot, balancing the weight evenly between the ball and heel.
In a statement about her new brand, Blakely remarked,
“Men invented the high heel centuries ago, and its basic construction hasn’t really changed. There has been a void in comfortable footwear, and women deserve a new option. I wanted to create a luxury high heel that prioritizes how women feel, not just how we look. We are fed the line that ‘beauty is pain’… but I don’t believe it has to be. As a consumer, I have wanted to solve this problem for years.”
Sneex’s ‘hy-heels’ are handcrafted in Spain and come in three styles—single strap, double strap, and wide strap—available in ten colorways. Prices range from $395 to $595 for US sizes 5 to 11. The brand also offers breathable silk ankle socks for $16, designed to complement the Sneex shoes perfectly.
Blakely notes that the growing trend of casualization in apparel influenced the creation of Sneex. “Consumers are dressing much more casually now,” she explains. “While sneakers have been embraced as an option, there are many times I put on clothes and still want the height and look of a heel with the vibe of a sneaker. There was an opportunity there.”
On the Sneex website, Blakely adds, “Sneex are my love letter to every woman who has taken her shoes off at a party, who wears flats to work with heels in her bag, who thought her days of wearing heels were over.”
