Get to know London-based luxury footwear brand 10th Floor and shop our favourite fancy shoes for summer …

After finishing a degree in business and economics, a magazine article about fashion buying changed the course of Fiona Brown’s career. “It combined creativity with commerce,” she told us. “I became completely obsessed with it.” Fiona joined Dunnes Stores as a buying administrator and quickly realised she had found the right industry. She initially worked across womenswear and handbags before moving into footwear buying, where she discovered a lasting fascination with shoes. “A great shoe is almost like a small sculpture,” she says. “There’s so much artistry involved in perfecting the shape and proportions.” That perspective now defines her label 10th Floor’s aesthetic, which she describes as “clean glamour” – a balance between minimalism and drama. The brand’s shoes combine sharp, architectural details with feminine silhouettes, creating styles that feel polished and directional without losing wearability.

Today, Fiona balances the brand alongside her footwear design and sourcing agency, with days split between design meetings, sample reviews, factory calls and trend research. Despite the commercial demands of the business, she says everything still comes back to product. Current favourites include the Downtown slingbacks, worn with relaxed denim and balloon trousers, and the square-toed Paloma heels, styled with long pencil skirts. “I would recommend the Riva mules for summer events and weddings as the heel height is flattering while still comfortable at 80mm. The silhouette gives a little more coverage than a barely there sandal, which makes it versatile. The design is timeless but with a modern edge which is why I think it resonates across different age ranges,” she told us. Looking ahead to autumn, 10th Floor is expanding into Italian-made boots and beginning to explore accessories, with bags expected in the near future. @10thfloorbrand