Can Wedges Be Chic? These Two Editors-Turned-Designers Think So

“I’m trying to do for elegance what Goop did for well-being,” Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz told me in a recent phone interview. Princess Deena, as she’s known in the industry, is a former retail executive and fashion editor. Earlier this year, she launched Deenathe1st, an editorial platform consisting of a website and podcast series through which she aims to disseminate her distinct approach to elegance. As one of her first projects, Abdulaziz is launching a footwear capsule collection with Larroudé, the footwear brand founded by former fashion editor Marina Larroudé.

Abdulaziz and Larroudé have known each other for a long time, both as friends and now brands. They first met when they were collaborators at Style.com, and in 2020, when the latter launched her eponymous label, it was Abdulaziz who fronted the first campaign. “It happened very organically,” Abdulaziz said of their new collaboration, which launches today. “We always talked about great shoes because we both love shoes and we always said we should do something together, so I can’t say it was her or I who initiated it.”

Rather, it’s a matter of fate and perfect timing. Abdulaziz launched her platform this summer and thought this could help her get going. Deenathe1st is a result of Abdulaziz’s deep-rooted love and passion for fashion, as she sees her formally returning to the industry after some time away. “It was a long sabbatical, pretty healthy, but now I’m an empty nester, all my kids are college-educated and working,” she said, “so I thought maybe fashion was done with me, but I wasn’t done with fashion.”

The capsule includes two shoe styles, a sleek ankle-strap heel and a peep-toe wedge, both in suede, metallic leather and textured leather, for a total of eight pairs. “It’s very simple,” Abdulaziz said, “they’re inspired by what I’d wear.” The shoes have a ’90s feel in their slightly rounded toes and heel heights. The wedges, in particular, reflect the era’s take on elegance and glamour, although Abdulaziz admits that wedges can be tricky if you don’t approach them correctly.

“They’re very elegant wedges,” she said. “They’re challenging, but I think they’re chic, it’s about the height and the proportions, and the materials.” Abdulaziz and Larroudé made theirs in silver and gold metallic leather and black and white suede. The slingback sandals come in red, olive green, and black and white suede. “White leather is challenging, but white suede is very elegant,” Abdulaziz said. “The material is bold but sophisticated,” she continued, “it’s about the softness of the suede, which makes it more elegant. It’s a statement shoe.”

“We need to remind people of the beauty of elegance and dressing well, and it’s not about money,” Abdulaziz said. It’s also not about a singular point of view: “It could be my style or anyone’s style, but there’s something beautiful about being well-dressed,” she continued. That’s the ethos of this capsule and of Deenathe1st, Abdulaziz’s sartorial approach to Goop.