ANNK SHOES

Made for Dancing Through the Wolves: AnnK

In a world where beauty often comes with discomfort, Anna Krasnoshapka designer of AnnK Shoes dares to rewrite the story. Rooted in craft and inspired by fearless women, this brand creates shoes that blend individuality, comfort, and a touch of fairy-tale mischief.

AnnK Shoes : From sketches to a viral debut

Designing shoes was never AnnK’s childhood dream. It began as the most practical solution. Instead of endlessly searching for shoes that matched her taste, she decided to make them herself in her mother’s workshop. She never actually bought a pair in her life. Only recently did she discover her true size, 37.5, not 39.

Since her teenage years, she had been sketching the shoes she wanted to wear. Her “fairy-like” mother transformed those ideas into reality, handling the technical side while AnnK shaped the creative vision. By 17, she had already stepped into the fashion world as a stylist and later worked in PR, art direction, and creative management. She also assisted on large-scale video projects for well-known performers, where people constantly asked about her shoes. Her answer was always the same: “They’re from my mom’s brand.”

But everything changed in late 2021. For her birthday, she made herself a pair of shoes and filmed fragments of the production process for TikTok. The video went viral. Soon, people started asking where they could buy the shoes. That first experiment led to a photoshoot, a Christmas pop-up, and a sold-out collection.

However, the war forced her to move to Paris. This emigration created a two-year pause. Yet the story didn’t end there. With a fresh perspective, AnnK returned to the craft, launching a new collection and dedicating herself fully to the brand.

Inspiration rooted in people

For AnnK, inspiration begins and ends with people. Their strength, love, creativity, and individuality shape her vision. Above all, women stand at the heart of her inspiration, fearless, a little wild, and unapologetically strong. She designs shoes that empower women to feel confident, comfortable, and radiant.

Beyond people, the sky also plays its part. The shifting clouds and ever-changing patterns feel like nature’s artwork. Each unique person and every fleeting sky is a reminder that individuality and beauty can take infinite forms. To AnnK, every pair of shoes carries its own personality, just like the people who wear them.

Small-scale craft with a purpose

AnnK’s shoes are produced in a small workshop with about 20 artisans. This structure allows them to handle up to 500 pairs per month, yet the brand intentionally avoids overproduction. Instead, it focuses on limited series and on-demand models, offering clients shoes tailored precisely to their size.

This approach is both aesthetic and ethical. It keeps creativity alive, especially with custom orders such as wedding shoes. For AnnK, personalization is not a luxury; it is a way to preserve intimacy between maker and wearer.

AnnK Shoes : The name behind the brand

The brand’s name, annk, is rooted in simplicity, Ann’s initials. Initially, she considered “Little Red Riding Hood,” since her last name, Krasnoshapka, means “red hat” in Ukrainian. But hats and shoes felt mismatched. Eventually, AnnK felt both personal and timeless.

Later, a close friend gave her a playful nickname, “aenkey,” which influenced the phonetic twist in the logo: /aenk:ei/. For her, the sound carries a mischievous and untamed spirit, perfectly aligned with the brand’s essence.

A modern fairy tale

The spirit of Little Red Riding Hood remains a guiding image for AnnK. Beyond her surname, she identifies with the fairy-tale girl, a little wild, slightly naive, yet fearless and full of joy. This character confidently moves forward, smiling at the wolves along the way.

For AnnK, that image is the soul of her brand. She wants her shoes to be the companion for women walking toward their dreams. Comfort is essential. Beauty should never hurt. In her vision, life’s journey should feel like dancing, even if wolves surround the path.

Who wears AnnK Shoes ?

The answer is simple: everyone. From the beginning, women of all ages have embraced the brand. Surprisingly, most customers are over 30, though younger women also connect with its playful aesthetic. Even men have placed orders, often asking when AnnK will expand into men’s shoes.

The brand’s community reflects its philosophy, no boundaries, no single profile. Just people who want to express their uniqueness with shoes that feel like their second skin.

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