Finding footwear that you love, that perfectly fit your feet and are made from quality materials by skilled craftsmen is a hard task. Well, it's not when you know Percy Stride! You may have seen their classic shoes being shared over on our socials and don't they just fill you with joy! the UK is well known for quality made shoes and these are certainly no exception! So why not learn more about the company and who is behind it by reading our mini interview with owner Danielle!

1. Who are you?

Percy Stride + Danielle Wathes

2. Where are you based?

My hometown is Swindon, Wiltshire and my shoes are handmade in Wollaston, Northampton

3. What do you do?

I am the owner and designer of Percy Stride footwear, and to put it simply I pretty much do everything. I have a wonderful support team which help and contribute to the building of the brand, including a fantastic friend and copywriter who beautifully creates my weekly blog (and corrects my spelling mistakes and poor grammar) but in regards to the business everything from initial design to client communication goes through me.

4. How and when did it all start?

I began Percy Stride roughly a year after graduating from University, for which I did a 3 year Degree in footwear design. I worked briefly in different areas of the industry, only to learn that I wanted to create something for myself eventually anyway, so why waste time! Speaking of time that was 5 years ago now though! It was a lot of work in the beginning, mainly convincing people that this idea is achievable, sourcing the right industry leaders and securing the necessary manufacturing and support to bring the business to fruition.

5. Who is your favourite British musician/band to listen to whilst working?

To be honest, depending on what i’m doing I usually like to work in silence. The only exception really being if I am drawing. If I’m sketching or painting I usually put a musical on the television so I can sing along or spotify on my playlist mostly made up of cheesy 90’s hits (I am a 90’s baby!) or older 80’s power ballads!

6. What is your favourite British film?

I am a bit of a self proclaimed nerd and I watch a lot of sci-fi/fantasy to get my imagination following! So admittedly I’d have to say Harry Potter. At university I used to park myself in front of my laptop and play each film one after the other for hours on end while I was drawing; with my room mates usually saying “you were watching this one when I left this morning!”

7. Where is your favourite place to visit in the UK?

There are plenty of places in the UK I love, one of which being Westonbirt Arboretum which is simply tranquil and beautiful when the leaves change colours! Another place that is close to my heart would be Lincolnshire. Not everyone's favourite I’m sure but with some of my family living up there I always feel like its a second home and everyone is so friendly and welcoming.

8. Thinking of British fiction, which fictional place would you most like to visit?

I’d love to take a walk down Diagon Alley naturally but 100 acre Forest would be an amazing visit!

You can learn more about Percy Stride Footwear and shop their range here!

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