This Footwear Designer Wants You to Get Your Toes Out
Toes are 2026’s hottest accessory, and this brand is making them chic.
Fashion has a bit of a foot fetish right now, and Curtsy Toes is one of the main names swaying opinions on having your toes on display. Launching with a bold, toe separator-inspired heel, the Australian footwear brand was always going to pique our interest. Made for the girl that isn’t afraid to stand out from the crowd, Curtsy Toes has quickly gained a cult following with its signature wedges.
As the brand begins to branch out with new styles, already launching a flat sandal version of its debut wedges, it might just be the thing determining how long fashion’s obsession with our toes will last. With everything from stiletto heels to everyday flats in the works, Curtsy Toes is the new it-girl brand — at least for the ones that aren’t afraid to show a little skin.
For the latest edition of Baes With Kicks, we spoke to the brand’s founder, Beatrice Taylor, about toes being the next big thing in the industry, her design background and why her footwear looks the way it does. Keep scrolling to read the full conversation.
Name: Beatrice Taylor
Location: Sydney, Australia
Occupation: Founder & Designer
What made you want to start a footwear brand?
I’ve always had wider, larger feet and struggled to find footwear that was both comfortable and suited my style. Most feminine heels are too narrow, which looks ridiculous and is painful to wear. A few years ago, I became interested in barefoot footwear and the science behind it, but the market was mostly limited to hiking shoes or podiatry sandals. I saw a clear gap and wanted to create shoes I would actually wear, something that felt good but still looked elevated.
Have you always been into fashion and design?
Yes, definitely. Growing up, I loved dressing up with my sister and doing photoshoots on digital cameras; we even made little look-book-style accounts as teenagers. That interest naturally led me to study a Bachelor of Fashion Design at FDS in Sydney.
Split toes and other toe-focused shoes are gaining popularity right now. How did you go about creating a design that stands out from the rest?
The design process started with the toe spacers I was experimenting with wearing at the time. The toe post wedge began almost as a joke, mixing foot health concepts with a high heel. I guess I was drawn to the idea of playing on the polarities and wanted to create a silhouette that was a bit rogue and conversation-starting. But it’s been really well received. The toe separators, combined with the wider footbed, make the shoes far more comfortable than standard heels. It offers an option for people like me who want to wear heels without committing to the discomfort.
Toe-focused designs are incredibly divisive within the industry. What do you think of the increased interest and popularity in that style of shoe?
I think the niche aspect is part of the appeal. It attracts bold people brave enough to sport the toe-style shoes/barefoot varieties, whether driven by function or vibes. From experience, these styles often spark reactions, people asking, “What are those?” But that’s part of pushing boundaries. Fashion has always evolved by challenging tradition, so it makes sense that these styles are gaining traction. Curtsy’s most viral moments often unfold in the comment sections on socials, where those divisive conversations take shape.
How much does Australia and Australian fashion influence your designs?
Australia definitely influences the way I design, especially the climate. I wear open-toe shoes for most of the year, so that naturally shapes the types of styles I create.
You recently introduced a flat version of the Toe Post wedge. Are there plans to revamp the design again in the future?
Yes, I’m currently working on a few new designs with the multi-toe-post concept, and this will definitely remain a signature of the brand moving forward.
Curtsy Toes is still in its early days. Do you think you’ll stick to open-toe footwear, or have you thought of closed-toe designs, too?
I’m currently developing anatomical closed-toe designs, particularly pointed styles that don’t compress or distort the natural shape of the toes. The ballet flats will also be launching very soon, which is especially exciting as they’ve been in development for over a year.
Where do you see Curtsy Toes in five years?
I want the brand to offer an alternative to traditional footwear, styles grounded in the same ethos of being wide-friendly and comfortable, yet elevated enough to wear on a night out. New style growth has been slow so far due to production complexity; there’s a lot of back-and-forth during sampling to ensure they truly deliver on comfort. But that level of detail is really important to me.
I’m excited to see how the designs continue to evolve. Two years ago, I would never have worn heels myself, and now I’m designing stilettos for my own wardrobe. That shift has really shaped the way I think about balancing comfort, proportion, and femininity within the brand.
