10. Kendall Reynolds

Although Kendall Reynolds was only 21 when she founded the Kendall Miles footwear label in 2014, her motivation was as clear as it is today. ‘Our mission has always been to become the first mainstream Black women-owned luxury footwear company to bring Italian craftsmanship to the modern shopper,’ she says. This confidence has made Reynolds one of the most inspiring young entrepreneurs in the fashion industry. Her collections feature glamorous, sky-high heels that are teamed with eye-catching embellishments ranging from studs and zippers to feathers and fur (such as in this year’s blue ‘Foxxy’ sandal, pictured).

Reynolds is the daughter of global investment firm Loop Capital’s CEO James Reynolds, and ‘represents Chicago entrepreneurial royalty,’ says Gates. In fact, Reynolds steers the Kendall Miles label together with her mother and co-founder, Sandra. ‘Through her tremendous creative capacity, Kendall is creating access for emerging designers of colour like herself.’

As one of a few Black, female shoe designers creating luxury footwear today, Reynolds’ innate understanding of her clientele and the community she has created is probably the most significant of all. ‘So many of us use fashion as a means of personal expression. We encourage women to dress boldly and it’s such an honour to be our clients’ biggest cheerleader when they are out wearing our pieces in the world.’ kendallmilesdesigns.com