Spotlight On: Katia, Founder of Naked Sole
Katia Galam, Founder & Director of Naked Sole
Some of our favourite founder stories start with a simple truth: something was missing—and instead of waiting for someone else to fix it, they did it themselves.
That’s exactly how Naked Sole came to life. After years of squeezing into men’s shoes or settling for anything that just fit, Katia, the founder, decided it was time for stylish, fashion-forward footwear to finally exist for women with larger feet. What began as a personal frustration became a powerful mission: to create beautiful shoes in sizes 10 to 15, and to help women feel seen, celebrated, and confident.
In this interview, we dive into Katia’s journey from problem to product, the challenges of building an inclusive fashion brand from the ground up, and the community that’s formed around finally feeling represented - one pair of shoes at a time.
To start with, please tell us about your story and how it inspired you to create Naked Sole.
I’ve always had massive feet, like, size 14 massive, and growing up, I could never find shoes that fit, let alone anything stylish. I spent years squeezing into the biggest size in-store or resorting to men’s shoes just to get by. I remember constantly feeling left out, like fashion just wasn’t made for people like me. Naked Sole was born out of that frustration. I wanted to create something I’d never had: beautiful, on-trend shoes in sizes 10 to 15. It’s not just about footwear; it’s about finally being seen.
How did you take the leap from being frustrated about not being able to find shoes to fit, to creating your own brand?
Honestly, I was over it. I was so tired of not being able to buy shoes off the shelf like everyone else. I’d spent years searching and complaining, and one day I was just like, “Stuff it, I’ll make them myself.” I had no background in footwear, just a clear vision and a whole lot of determination. I wanted to prove that you can have amazing style and big feet. The two shouldn’t be mutually exclusive.
What advice would you give to other founders who see a gap in the market? What are the challenges?
If something’s missing and it bugs you enough, that’s usually a sign you’re the person to fix it. But just know, it’s not easy. You’ll hit roadblocks, make expensive mistakes, and question everything. But if you’re solving a real problem, and your reason why is strong, it’s worth it. Listen to your gut and keep showing up, even when it’s hard.
We love the ethos behind your brand, and the mission to give all women confidence and the ability for self-expression through fashion, no matter their shoe size. With inclusivity in mainstream fashion still a relatively new frontier, what do you think the industry is doing well and how can we do better?
I think we’re seeing progress, slowly. More brands are starting to talk about inclusivity, but it often feels like an afterthought. There’s still this idea that fashion only exists up to a size 10 shoe, which is wild. What we need is genuine representation, not just token sizing, but actually designing with different bodies and needs in mind from the start. Fashion should make everyone feel seen and celebrated, not like they’re squeezing into something they weren’t meant to wear.
Naked Sole | Holly High Heels Black Satin | RRP 239.95
What customer feedback have you received and how do you use this feedback to develop new product lines?
The messages I get from customers honestly keep me going. I’ve had women cry happy tears trying on their first pair of “actually cute” shoes that fit. It’s surreal. We take all the feedback seriously, whether it’s about fit, colour, comfort, it all goes straight into the design process. I’m not designing for a hypothetical customer, I’m designing for real women who’ve been left out of fashion for way too long.
Talk us through your design and production process.
It starts with me scrolling through fashion shows, Pinterest, street style, pulling ideas and shapes I love. Then I work closely with our manufacturers to adjust those concepts into styles that work for larger feet, which often means tweaking proportions, heel heights, and materials. Every shoe is wear-tested for comfort, and I’m fussy. I want them to look amazing and be wearable all day.
You recently collaborated with professional basketballer Bec Allen, with The Bec Allen x Naked Sole Boot. Can you please share the vision behind the collaboration?
Bec and I connected over the same shared struggle. She’s a tall woman with size 14 feet, and she gets it. We wanted to design a boot that felt powerful, stylish, and could keep up with someone who’s always on the go. The whole idea was to create something bold and fashion-forward, that made a statement but was still easy to wear. We’re both passionate about showing that women with big feet deserve the same options as everyone else, and this collab was our way of shouting that message loud and clear.
Katia, founder, with professional basket baller, Bec Allen
If you could collab with a fashion brand, who would it be?
Honestly, I’m open. I’d love to partner with a brand that understands fashion-forward design and actually wants to embrace proper extended sizing. It would need to be someone who shares our values and wants to push boundaries with us.
What can we expect to see from you next?
More styles, more colours, more energy. I’ve got so many ideas brewing and I’m constantly listening to what our customers want. You can definitely expect a wider range, more content, and hopefully a few surprise collabs along the way. This is just the beginning.
And just for fun, what’s on your desk right now?
A cold coffee, post-it notes everywhere, my calendar with pictures of my fur baby Louie, and right behind me is a display of Naked Sole shoes.
To find out more about Naked Sole, or to shop their products, please visit their website.
For media enquiries or to view and download Naked Sole’s press-ready images please visit their Flaunter profile.
