Angela Buswell and Cushla Reed

Fun, Funky, Fresh, Feminine and Innovative Footwear and Accessories

Sisters Angela Buswell and Cushla Reed work together on designing and creating funky footwear, bags and belts. Cushla does most of the designing, range building and sales while Angela works on the technical issues of designing and manufacturing.

Their contemporary shoes and bags have found almost a cult following by those who have come across them, which is far and wide, with export sales going into Australia and the USA.

Cushla's designs hark of yesteryear but with a funky, haute couture edge, using authentic vintage components - interesting buckles, eyelets, crazy-coloured thread, weaves, binding and lots of different coloured leathers - some dating back to the 60’s.

Angela is often inspired by her collection of Italian footwear fashion publications from the 60's and 70's.

This all started when the sisters took a leap of faith and bought out her stepfather's factory in Waikanae. Today the manufacturing is off-shore and the designing is in New Zealand.

Angela's journey in footwear started in her teenage years when she worked at their stepfather's footwear factory in Waikanae alongside all sorts of interesting creative people. Later Angela found herself in Leicester, the hub of the footwear industry in the UK, where she attended a comprehensive footwear course at De Montfort University.

Angela was a finalist in the Ernst and Young New Zealand Entrepreneur of the Year 2003. As well as running the business, Angela also lectures the art of footwear making at Otago Polytechnic and Whitireia Polytechnic.

Cushla has over 15 years of marketing and sales experience in the footwear industry, being the first female and youngest person to uphold the current presidency of the NZ Footwear Association. She has also been a finalist in the prestigious Wellington Gold Awards for business excellence.

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