Kolane is a luxury footwear brand founded in 2025 by designer Carolina Hejl. Defined by Art Deco influences and modern femininity, the brand is known for its clean curves, architectural lines, and sculptural silhouettes. Each piece is handmade in Italy using premium Italian leathers, reflecting a commitment to craftsmanship, precision, and timeless design.
Carolina Hejl Questionnaire
Q. Tell us about the beginning of Kolane. When did you launch the brand, and what inspired you to start designing footwear?
A. Kolane launched in spring 2025 with a small preview collection, born from a desire to create footwear that feels both striking and truly wearable within the affordable luxury space. That positioning was important to me because very few brands genuinely exist in that middle ground. Most are either more accessible but lower in quality, or beautifully made but ultimately out of reach. Our shoes are produced in the same factory as some of the world’s leading luxury brands, using deadstock materials from major fashion houses. That allows us to offer the same level of craftsmanship and luxury sensibility at a more attainable price point. My connection to design began early.
As far back as my mother can remember, I was sewing dresses and making shoes for my Barbies from outgrown clothing I found around the house. I have always been drawn to the emotional power of design and the way a well made object can transform how a woman feels. In many ways, creating something of my own felt inevitable. After moving from NYC (New Yorker born and raised on UES) to Miami and having my first daughter, I experienced a sense of identity loss that I think many mothers can relate to. Being in a new city while stepping into motherhood, I felt the shift that happens when you suddenly stop being seen as yourself and become defined primarily through your child. I needed something that was mine, and that became the beginning of Kolane. The name itself is a play on my maiden name and carries deep personal meaning. It represents reclaiming my sense of self and the belief that I will always be my own person, beyond marriage or motherhood. I like to believe Kolane means “identity” and identity is never fixed, it evolves constantly through the different seasons of life.
Q. What defines the Kolane woman, and how do you envision her wearing your shoes?
A. The Kolane woman is confident, refined, and feminine in a distinctly modern way. She appreciates beauty and detail, but there is also an ease to her, an edge, a quiet confidence, and an effortless cool that keeps her feeling modern and forever youthful. Her style is ever evolving, shifting with each season of life. Some days she is drawn to something bold, expressive, and a little extra; on others, she wants pieces that feel elevated, understated, and relaxed. That duality is central to Kolane. The intention behind the design is to feel distinctive while remaining effortless, with each collection building on the last.
Q. Your shoes are handmade in Italy. Can you tell us about the craftsmanship and process behind each piece?
A. Every Kolane shoe is handmade in Italy by skilled artisans at a small, family run factory near Milan, a region renowned for some of the finest footwear in the world. Producing alongside some of the industry’s leading luxury brands allows us to bring that same level of craftsmanship, precision, and refinement to Kolane at a more attainable price point. Each style goes through a highly considered process, from proportion and silhouette to material selection, fit, and finishing. We pay close attention to every curve and construction detail so that each shoe feels refined, comfortable, and effortless to wear. That balance of beauty and function is central to the brand. Sustainability is also an important part of our approach. Whenever possible, we use deadstock leathers and materials from major fashion houses, giving them a second life through thoughtfully crafted pieces, and we produce in small batches to help avoid overproduction.
Q. Your next collection has yet to be revealed. When can we expect it, and what can you share about what’s to come? Will it build on your current aesthetic, or introduce something new?
A. Our next collection will be Fall/Winter 2026 and is set to launch for pre-order in June and early July on Kolane.com, with select boutiques and retailers to follow in September. It marks an exciting moment for Kolane, as it is our first fully realized collection and a true reflection of the brand’s identity. While it builds on our existing DNA, it also pushes the vision further. Rooted in Miami’s iconic 1980s Art Deco era, FW26 distills the visual language of Miami Vice through a contemporary, architectural lens. Once defined by excess and nightlife, Miami has evolved into a city of quiet luxury and refined taste, and that evolution is reflected throughout the collection. Elongated shapes, high vamps, and softened lines define the silhouettes, grounding the brand in its origins while elevating it through a more modern elegance.
Q. How do you see Kolane evolving within the fashion industry, and what role do you hope the brand will play in shaping modern footwear?
A. I see Kolane growing into a brand that defines the affordable luxury space, rooted in craftsmanship, wearability, and a distinct design identity. I believe there is real room in the market for footwear made to the highest standards, with the quality and brand experience of luxury, but at a price point that feels more attainable. My hope is for Kolane to become a globally recognized brand that continues to evolve, with each collection giving people a reason to return and discover something new. What feels especially interesting to me about Kolane is that the design process is deeply personal. Each season reflects where I am in my own life at that moment, and because we are always evolving, the collections evolve with us. One season may feel more expressive, bold, and outward facing, while another may lean into a quieter, more understated sense of luxury. Whatever that season holds, I want Kolane to reflect it in an honest and considered way.
