FANCY FOOTWORK

Having grown the renowned, celebrity-loved footwear brand, Loeffler Randall, for more than a decade alongside her husband, there was one more facet of her brand just waiting to be brought to life. We caught up with NYC mom of three JESSIE LOEFFLER RANDALL, in her first-ever retail store to talk design, business, and her most recent motherhood challenge.

MINI | Thank you for inviting us into your Manhattan store! Tell us about the place! What did you envision for the space?

JESSIE LOEFFLER RANDALL | In the 16 years since starting Loeffler Randall, I have always dreamt of having this store. We had been keeping an eye out for retail spaces for years and found the perfect place at 10 Prince Street in Nolita, right near our offices in Soho. The store design is focused on spatial simplicity and an edited palette that feels calm, warm, and concise. It’s our brand aesthetic coming to life in a physical space— all of our signature colors, materials, and textures. The store allows us to control our product edit and experience. This is the first time all of our collections—shoes, bags, jewelry, accessories, and capsule ready-to-wear—will be housed under one roof. I worked with Poonam Khanna, Founder and Principal of UNIONWORKS, on the design. Poonam also designed our Soho office; she’s a longtime friend and collaborator. She’s also the nicest human. I love her!

MINI | What are some of your favorite elements in the store?

JESSIE LOEFFLER RANDALL | One of my favorite features is the back of the store that is lined with ripple-fold drapery panels that evoke Loeffler Randall’s iconic, hand-made pleats, first created for our best-selling heeled sandal, the Penny. Signature details of the store include the curving walls that softly guide the flow and circulation through the space, and a built-in sofa under a curved archway that divides the space into two distinct zones.

MINI | We are such Loeffler Randall fans! Can you tell us how the brand came to be?

JESSIE LOEFFLER RANDALL | My husband Brian and I started the brand many years ago. I was working in design and he was working as an art director. When we decided to start a line we knew it had to be shoes because shoes have always been my first love.

MINI | How has the brand evolved since it began and where do you hope to see it go?

JESSIE LOEFFLER RANDALL | I think there is a through line in the aesthetic that remains constant over the years. I’m proud that shoes I designed ten years ago are still lovingly worn by our customers. They are well made and their style remains current. People are always telling me how they still wear pairs from years and years ago. In terms of where we are going, I want to continue to be inspired and learn new things. I want to make things that are special and are made in small batches and not be wasteful. I also see us opening another store or two. Retail has been really fun for us.

MINI | What has been your proudest career moment to date?

JESSIE LOEFFLER RANDALL | Oh, there have been a lot of them! I’m proud of my team, I’m proud of thriving coming out of 2020, I’m proud of my marriage all these years to my business partner. Little things make me proud like seeing my mom wearing our floral sweatshirt last weekend and bigger things like Jill Biden wearing our shoes on the 4th of July. Lately, my proudest moments are probably the ways in which we have been able to support causes near and dear to our hearts with our For Good campaign.

MINI | What has been the greatest lesson you’ve learned in business thus far?

JESSIE LOEFFLER RANDALL | I think being a leader and running a company forces you to confront all your flaws, all your fears. I’m learning every day! Most enduring lesson is that when I go with my gut and focus on what I love and am excited about it, it works.

MINI | Since you work closely with your husband at LR— can you tell us how you two make a great team?

JESSIE LOEFFLER RANDALL | I think it’s a myth. No one has it all and the people that seem to are probably struggling with something behind the scenes. It’s important to have compassion and not make assumptions.

MINI | What advice would you give to other moms looking to start their own brand?

JESSIE LOEFFLER RANDALL | He and I have very complementary skill sets. He can literally conjure up anything and make anything come to life, make anything happen. He’s more extroverted. He is the entrepreneur and the business person and I am more of an artist. I think where I’m weak, he’s strong and vice versa.

MINI | We love to ask— What do you think about the concept of ‘having it all?’

JESSIE LOEFFLER RANDALL | Make sure to have a business partner. It’s great to have a strong partner who has a different skill set.

MINI | Let’s dive into your life as a mom of three! What do you think is the greatest challenge of motherhood?

JESSIE LOEFFLER RANDALL | For me lately, it’s watching them grow up too fast. My twins will be in high school this year. I don’t want a life where they are all grown up and out of the house. I’m happiest when they are with me.

MINI | What helps you to balance motherhood and career?

JESSIE LOEFFLER RANDALL | I don’t think I have it figured out. Especially this past year where there was zero separation between work and home. I try to spend one-on-one time with each of my kids and snuggle them every single day.

MINI | We all experience mom guilt from time to time. When do you find mom guilt creeps in for you and how do you deal with it?

JESSIE LOEFFLER RANDALL | It was much stronger when they were younger. I’ve been feeling a lot less of it this year also because I was home so much.

MINI | If you could give your kids one piece of advice, what would it be?

JESSIE LOEFFLER RANDALL | Be yourself! Everything that makes you different is what makes you special. JESSIE ON THE CLOCK

KIDS BOOK The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes ($6.98; amazon.com)

KIDS MOVIE “Uncle Buck.”

IF I HAD MORE TIME, I WOULD “Do more crafts.”

GUILTY PLEASURE “Diet Coke.”

NOW WATCHING “Bob’s Burgers.”

NOW PLAYING “Design Time Domino Podcast and my guilty pleasure, True Crime Garage.”

KIDS SHOPS “Patagonia.”

COFFEE ORDER “Decaf Iced with Oat Milk (and a little cream).”

FAVE RESTAURANT “Jack’s Wife Freda.” 224 Lafayette St, NYC