Valentina and Sabina, you’re twins, but how did you come to meet Denitsa?
Sabina met Denitsa in 2005 through husbands who are brothers, and we have been inseparable ever since!
Why do you think the three of you work so well together?
Working with your family, you can be extremely and unapologetically honest with each other, which makes the whole process of decision-making and problem-solving a lot easier. You work with people you know, and you trust. We share the same core values and look in one direction.
How was the brand born?
We have always been obsessed with shoes, but we couldn’t find what we thought the modern woman needed. So, we decided to create them ourselves. There was always a strong heritage of shoe craftsmanship in Bulgaria and when we found a small family-run factory, we felt like it was destiny! The idea behind the brand was to make cool shoes that are comfortable and elevate the whole outlook – empowering, yet not overpowering, without sacrificing quality.
How would you describe the BY FAR aesthetic?
Our pieces reflect memories and milestones, the design is always driven by emotion, which leads to inimitable authenticity behind the collections. We aim to create objects that are not just aesthetically pleasing and comfortable but connect on a much deeper level with the future owner. The essence of BY FAR lies in reaching the perfect balance of comfort and emotion, of timelessness and nowness.
What steps does the brand take towards sustainability?
At BY FAR, all our pieces are designed with quality and longevity in mind! Sustainability has always been of huge importance for us, and every year we keep making changes for the better. We are continually reviewing our supply chain and manufacturing processes to implement environmentally and socially responsible practices and we have a target to source 100% of our leather from tanneries with environmental, traceability and social compliance certifications. Currently, we stand at a total of 60-70% certified leather.
BY FAR has become a firm favorite among celebrities, who were you most excited to see wearing your designs?
We are so blessed to have all these amazing women wearing their BY FAR pieces religiously. Who could have imagined that we’d be making custom boots for Michelle Obama or that Kendal Jenner would have a few Amber bags in black because she is afraid she might lose her favorite?! Hailey Bieber is also a great fan of the Amber style. Kylie Jenner and Kaia Gerber are definitely Rachel bag girls, Bella Hadid loves our Kiki and Billy bags, while Irina Shayk is obsessed with the Stevie 42 boots and our Cush bag. BY FAR has been part of the special moments of so many talented women such as Beyonce, Emma Roberts, Charlotte Mckinney, Elsa Hosk, Megan Fox, Zoe Kravitz, Alicia Vikander, Margot Robbie and many more. It is hard to pick just one.
Why do you think your designs are loved by the Middle Eastern woman and how does her style influence you?
We are captivated by the Arabic culture and how abundant and yet sophisticated everything is. We love the way they master the use of accessories as a form of expression, always willing to have fun with new styles and materials. Our all-time best-sellers such as the Tanya mules, as well as the Mini and Miranda bags have seen amazing success among our clientele here.
What can we expect from the FW21 collection and what inspired it?
Playing around with proportions, textures, colors, details, and even branding. Its playful new color palette straddles the line between festive and work-appropriate – one part grown-up and sophisticated, one part queezy, thanks to splashes of technicolour.
Answers by Valentina Ignatova, CMO and Co-founder of BY FAR