As the fashion landscape shifts towards a more expressive, dressed-up mood, Malone Souliers is leaning into fantasy, colour and craftsmanship, while staying grounded in wearability.

Here, Emirates Woman sits down with co-creative directors Coco Fong and Valerio Bava to talk footwear trends for 2026, warm-climate design, a new CEO, and what’s next for the brand.

How do you see the footwear landscape evolving as we move towards 2026?

We feel like people are going back to dressing up a little more and having fun again. There’s more colour, texture and prints, and that’s something we’ve really leaned into. For us, it was also about going back to what the brand was in the beginning: wild colours, mixed materials and playful details. You’ll see a lot more of that this season and next.

What styles are performing particularly well right now?

Platforms are working really well for us at the moment. For a while, they were slower, but recently sales have been going u,p and there’s a real demand again. People are clearly enjoying dressing up more and having fun with heels and footwear.

How do you navigate designing for different regions, from New York to the Middle East?

We design the collection as a whole, but we’re always aware that certain products work better in certain regions. Most of our collections are designed with warmer climates in mind, as that’s where we’re strongest: the Middle East, southern Europe and the southern US. That said, we also create more covered styles that work well in cities like London and New York, where seasons really matter.

The Middle East is known for its love of exclusivity. How do you cater to that market?

There’s always an occasion here, people are constantly dressing up. We work closely with some of our biggest clients on exclusive designs, creating pieces specifically for their customers. Those exclusives generate conversation and really help build excitement around the brand.

This season feels more playful. What details define the collection?

We’re exploring more fantasy this season, details that go beyond the foot. You see knots, ruffles, pearls and laser-cut elements. But wearability is still key for us. It’s about striking that balance so the shoes feel special, but you can still wear them in real life, not just for a picture.

Malone Souliers recently welcomed a new CEO. How has that changed the energy of the brand?

It’s been really exciting. Andrew has only been with us for a few weeks, but he’s already brought so many ideas to the table. There’s a real sense of newness and a fresh start. He comes from a strong footwear background, understands the product deeply, and that’s incredibly refreshing for the team.

You’ve also opened a New York office. Why was this an important step?

Having a permanent presence in New York is important for us. The showroom allows clients and press to see the collection at any time, not just during market weeks. It shows that we’re serious about the US market and that we’re here to stay.

The brand has been expanding into handbags. How has that journey been so far?

Handbags are still relatively new for us, about three years in, so it’s been a learning process. Initially, customers responded more to evening clutches that pair well with our shoes. Recently, more versatile styles that can work day to night have been performing really well, which is exciting to see.

Bridal is now a permanent category for the brand. What was the thinking behind that?

We wanted bridal to feel playful rather than overly traditional. While some styles are clearly bridal, many can be worn beyond a wedding depending on how they’re styled. The idea was always to create shoes that feel special but are not limited to one moment.

Sustainability plays a role in your holiday collection. Can you tell us more?

A large part of the holiday collection was made using materials from existing stock that was originally meant for collections during COVID. Instead of letting those materials go to waste, we reworked them into something fresh and current. It’s been really well received, which is encouraging.

Are there any standout styles you’re particularly excited about this season?

The Cecile, with its ruffle detail, is a favourite, as well as the Raquel kitten heel. It has a subtle mix of colours that feels playful but is still very easy to wear.

With the busy holiday and wedding season, how do you make sure your shoes last all day?

Comfort is always built into our designs from the construction of the heel to the way the shoe is balanced. We also believe in giving flats the same level of attention as heels. Bringing a pair of flats with you is always a good idea.

Is men’s footwear something Malone Souliers might revisit?

There’s definitely a chance. The brand is evolving and expanding, and the market has shifted. People aren’t buying sneakers in the same way anymore. Luxury customers are moving back towards loafers, lace-ups and more classic, dressy styles. That creates space for us again. We just need to rethink how it looks and how it’s presented, but it’s something we can definitely see ourselves revisiting.

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