Luxurious yet understated, chic yet confoundingly practical, Sarah Flint’s shoe designs fit right in around the South. After hosting successful pop-up shops in New York, Washington D.C., and Dallas — and gaining popularity among the likes of Cindy Crawford, Serena Williams, and Meghan Markle — Sarah Flint opened her first permanent location in Nashville, TN, in the summer of 2022, quickly followed by an opening in Atlanta’s Buckhead Village District.
Sarah’s designs are renowned for their high-quality Italian construction and unmatched comfort. She’s a designer you’ll definitely want to watch. Follow along as we get to know Sarah, the vision behind her designs, and what’s next for Sarah Flint, the brand!
Meet shoe designer Sarah Flint, pictured here in one of her retail spaces, which was modeled after her own living room!
You’re from the East Coast originally, and you perfected your design sensibility in Italy, but Sarah Flint’s storefronts are all located in major Southern cities — Dallas, Atlanta, and now Nashville. Can you tell us a bit about your relationship with the South?
Sarah: The South is a market we’ve really wanted to tap into. I love that women still dress up in the South, even just for a trip to the grocery store. With brick-and-mortar retail top of mind this past year, Dallas, Atlanta, and Nashville made perfect sense. We opened our first permanent storefront in Nashville — a city I fell in love with when my sister went to Vanderbilt University.
We value our customer base in the South and wanted to put roots down there so that this customer base could shop in person and have the full Sarah Flint experience. We’re excited to continue exploring opportunities in the South in 2023!
If you can, describe the Sarah Flint brand in three words.
Sarah: Timeless, feminine, nostalgic.
Sarah Flint’s pumps are well-loved for their surprising comfort. Pictured here are the Perfect Pump 85 in gunmetal lame fabric ($550) and the Debbie 85 in evergreen suede ($750).
The Fireside House Shoes, $395, are lined with cozy shearling and come in six colors.
Though your wildly popular designs are accessible online, what can shoppers expect from an in-person visit to a Sarah Flint store?
Sarah: I want shoppers to feel like they are entering my living room. We want the stores to be inviting and comfortable, so we make sure to have tea and cookies for people when they arrive. In addition, the stores feature a try-on wall, in which every size of the bestselling shoe styles is on display for customers to try on with ease.
How lovely is Sarah Flint’s retail space in The Mall at Green Hills in Nashville?
Whether designing or shopping, what are your personal criteria for identifying a great pair of shoes?
Sarah: My personal criteria for a great pair of shoes include craftsmanship, fit, and the use of high-quality materials. A shoe can look beautiful at first glance, but it’s important that it is expertly crafted to ensure comfort and fit. When I design a shoe, I always keep in mind what women truly want when it comes to look and wearability. Of course, I always love a pop of color as well!
What are your favorite sources of inspiration?
Sarah: Traveling and visiting different cities is my favorite source of inspiration. Each time I travel somewhere new, I come across decorative art, buildings, wallpaper, and more that inspire the details of my designs. I love to let this worldly inspiration come to life through my designs. I’m also very inspired by the vintage aesthetic of the 1940s, which has resulted in various styles and patterns I’ve designed.
The Lena 90 bootie in evergreen suede is a splurge at $1,295 … but she’s utterly dreamy, isn’t she? Sarah’s vintage aesthetic is on full display in this design.
What are your favorite up-and-coming accessories trends?
Sarah: I am not a follower of trends, but I do love that belts are having a moment right now! The perfect belt adds so much to any outfit. So we launched our first belts ever in our FW22 collection — the Vienna Waist Belt and Reversible Scarf Belt.
What’s next for Sarah Flint? Any lofty goals for the new year?
Sarah: In 2023, we will continue to look for new opportunities to expand and grow. One of our primary focuses has been retail, and we hope to bring Sarah Flint to more cities in the new year and beyond. It will also be the brand’s 10th anniversary in 2023, and we’re excited about what the new year holds.
Sarah looks forward to celebrating the brand’s 10th anniversary in 2023! Image: Stacie Flinner Photography
Aside from your own shoe designs, what are your favorite Southern brands and retailers to shop?
Sarah: Sue Sartor has become a friend, and I am a huge fan of her block print dresses. After opening the store in Dallas, I also discovered Dondolo Baby. I am expecting twins this spring, so I finally have an excuse to shop there!
What’s the greatest challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?
Sarah: One of my greatest challenges as a business owner was navigating the pandemic. With office culture, weddings, and events on pause, we had to pivot quickly and keep our brand relevant through innovative ideas and designs. We introduced slippers/house shoes, silk scarves, and collaborations with ThirdLove, American Ballet Theater, and Maman Bakery. We had to take a step back and think about what consumers would really want.
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Sarah: It’s difficult to narrow it down to just one, but when I think about times with my business when I have felt like I didn’t know what to do or what the right decision was, there is one [piece of advice] that I always come back to. The advice is to ask yourself, “What was my goal when I started? What is the next step toward that goal? Is this decision in keeping with that goal?”
Aside from faith, family, and friends — name three things you can’t live without.
Sarah: The first one is obvious! Shoes and fashion bring me so much joy. Second, travel. And third is spending time outside, whether it’s gardening, hiking, or going to the beach.
Find out more about Sarah Flint shoes and accessories in-store in Dallas, Atlanta, or Nashville or online here.
All photography provided by Sarah Flint unless otherwise noted.
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