Tinamaria Crewdson is the owner, CEO and designer of her eponymous luxury footwear brand, TinaMariaShoes, which she launched in 2017. Her early fascination with the magical and empowering qualities of Dorothy's ruby red shoes from "The Wizard of Oz" movie sparked her passion for creating the TinaMariaShoes brand. This love for shoes, combined with her talent for drawing, led her to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a shoe designer. Born to Italian-American parents, Crewdson felt a strong connection to her Italian heritage and sought to infuse this heritage into her craft. She studied bespoke shoemaking in NYC and has her designs produced by a boutique luxury shoe factory in Italy.
When it comes to inspiration, Tinamaria draws from a diverse range of sources. "I would say that I draw most of my inspiration from art, the natural world, and animal life," she shares. "I'm also very intrigued by the vast beauty of the universe, so that includes planets and the star systems. So, it's more than a who, it's more what." This broad palette of inspiration fuels her designs, which merge the worlds of fashion and fantasy to create footwear that serves as an artistic expression of individuality.
Tinamaria is not just the designer behind her luxury footwear brand; she’s also a passionate advocate of her own creations. "Yes, I do wear my own shoes," she says with a smile. "It’s hard to pick a favorite, but I’d say any kind of heel. I love heels, I love heeled sandals. Wearing my own designs is a fantastic way to showcase my brand and demonstrate how my shoes can be styled. It helps me connect with clients and fashion enthusiasts on a more personal level, showing them the versatility and quality of my work."
The designer has a dream list of celebrities she’d love to see in her shoes, including Ariana Grande, Dua Lipa, Bella Hadid, and Hailey Bieber. "I admire their talent and love their sense of style. It would be an amazing opportunity for me."
Keeping up with fashion trends is vital for TinaMaria, and she does so through travel and runway shows. "I definitely travel a lot. My best friend is a couture fashion designer based in Chicago, and we talk about fashion every day. I’ve shown my shoes on the runway in New York and several times in Milan. I also research global fashion trends and runway styles online. So, I’d say travel and research are key to staying connected to what’s current."
Tinamaria's brand aesthetic is a harmonious blend of contemporary, artful luxury with a distinct, feminine, and empowering touch. Her logo, rendered in an elegant script font, exemplifies sophistication. "I use black, which imbues a confident and luxurious mood that reflects in every aspect of our products. Each shoe embodies the same sense of sophistication and empowerment that we aspire to convey. My customers are full of personality, attracted to things that are feminine, elegant, timeless, and reflective of their unique style."
Starting a luxury footwear brand was not without its challenges. "My biggest fear was producing my shoes in Italy while being based in the United States. I worried about the difficulties of managing a business from so far away, and whether communication would be an issue. But it turns out, those fears were unfounded. The factories I chose are exceptional in craftsmanship and communication. I’ve learned to embrace my fears rather than let them paralyze me. As an entrepreneur, part of the journey is learning from those fears and failures, and staying committed to your dreams and goals."
Tinamaria’s design process is meticulous, beginning with hand-drawn sketches that detail the shoe silhouette, heel specifications, materials, and embellishments. After a thorough technical inspection, a prototype is created, and once it meets her standards, a final sample is produced. "I’m a self-taught artist and studied bespoke shoe design in New York City for about four years. This training, along with my previous career in the beauty industry, where I was always surrounded by fashion and style, gave me the foundation to start my brand."
If she hadn’t pursued fashion, Tinamaria says she might have ended up in beauty or even as a motivational speaker. "I love empowering people, especially women. So, I’d say beauty, fashion, and empowerment are my biggest takeaways from my career."
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The most important lesson she’s learned? "Honor your truth and be authentic. There’s room for everyone out there, and the world needs people to be authentic. That’s the best advice I can give to young designers and founders: believe in yourself, be authentic, and give yourself room to grow and evolve, both as a designer and as an entrepreneur."
Looking ahead, Tinamaria is excited about her upcoming Spring/Summer 2025 collection, which will be inspired by the kinship of spirit animals and humans. She’s also hoping to collaborate with her best friend, designer Alicia Perrillo, and continues to focus on expanding her brand globally.
