From Design to Launch: Gotham Grey, 2.5" Boots & Our First Wristlet

This is your peek into product development at Poppy Barley. Our co-founder, Justine, breaks down the new leathers, styles and products you can expect this October and November 2015.

The Gotham Grey Collection

This October we brought back a 2014 favourite: Gotham Grey leather. We sold out in record time on three occasions last year, and this year sold out in two styles - the Feminine Slipper and the Classic Ankle Bootie - in just 12 hours. (You can have first call on all our new collections by becoming a PB Insider.) As it stands, ordering La Hacienda Boot is the only way you can get Gotham Grey on your feet. Last time we checked, there were only 8 pairs left. We've also introduced a limited edition leather to our Men's Collection: Black Nubuck! This soft, rich leather looks all-at-once dressed up and laid back in The Vancouver Chukka, but don't be laid back about it; there's only 10 pairs available. If you're a guy and you want grey too, we offer the Toronto Brogue in a Grey Calf leather. For our collection photo shoot, we were extremely excited to be able to work with Nicholas Yee, a young photographer in Edmonton who caught our eye with his Instagram feed and a new project he's a part of called YegPeople. Nicholas is also an insanely talented cellist (check out his cover of Lay Me Down by Sam Smith, Take Me to Church by Hozier, or the Game of Thrones theme song; we are huge fans of Game of Thrones in the office. In fact, we almost named our Gotham Grey leather "Winter Is Coming!"). We shot the collection at Edmonton's Churchill Square with our friends, Lindsay and Ben, and you wouldn't know it, but they brought their adorable baby Noah along and apart from smiling and giggling, he barely made a peep the whole time.

New: Mid-Heel Boots

This October we are finally launching a mid-height heel developed on a new shoe last which, internally, we call the "Seattle". I am excited about every aspect of this last - the 2.5 inch block heel, the pointed toe, and the natural sole with white, threaded edges (awesome to protect the leather with the added benefit of looking cool). When we develop a last it dictates the toe shape, heel height and shape for all the styles. After that we can easily change and add style details based on a last design. After determining all the style components, what takes so long to develop a last is all the fit testing. We need to make sure a size 9 Standard width will fit you in two ways: 1) it must be true to size and 2) it must be exactly the same as all of Poppy Barley’s other size 9 Standard styles for consistency. With the Seattle comes two new ankle boot styles - the Two Point Five Ankle Boot and the Zipper Bootie (in Black and Cobra!), which we are currently crowdfunding at a presale price. This helps us gauge demand and decide on material quantities. To thank you, you get these gorgeous, totally unique and totally comfortable ankle boots at a discounted rate. The Two Point Five is simple enough to go with every outfit, but architecturally interesting (and flattering) with the deep V ankle shape. The Zipper Bootie is more statement making and fashion forward, with a heavy duty zipper and Cobra leather overlay. Coming soon, two brand new tall boots using the Seattle last: the Military Boot and the Two-Panel Boot. The Military Boot is a re-do of an old Poppy Barley favourite - the Off-Duty Boot - and includes the same great gold buttons, but this time the straps don’t interfere with the zipper. Finally, the Two Panel Boot is a very classic, clean cut style so the focus can be on our beautiful leathers. (More photos coming soon!)

The Poppy Barley Wristlet

This is big. Meet our first leather accessory - the Poppy Barley Wristlet! To get access, sign up to our mailing list - that's the first place we'll be releasing it! I resisted the wristlet concept for a long time, but after I borrowed one for a business trip to Mexico I was hooked. It is the perfect little bag to grab and go or easily transfer between purses so you never leave your essentials at home (ID, cash/cards, phone and lip gloss, of course.) The Poppy Barley Wristlet was designed to be the perfect on-the-go accessory - firstly because it opens and lies completely flat (no more annoying accordion fold!), and secondly it has all of the small details that matter: a clear pocket for your ID, a pocket with a snap close sized to fit your phone (including iPhone 5 and 6), a change purse, and enough extra room to throw in your keys. Lastly, and as always, the Wristlet is made with high quality materials including outer and lining leather, a gold metal zipper and Poppy Barley-stamped hardware. We hope you're enjoying the products here that have already been released and can't wait to hear what you think of everything that's coming. Please let me know: justine poppybarley.com