Design Thinking: Inez

Rachel Huss
Sep 12
2 min read

Woman in beige dress and brown crocodile boots sitting on wooden steps, leaning on elbows, with wooden door backdrop, looking confident. — Image courtesy of Inez.

In Graduate School, professors loved to discuss "Design Thinking." Design Thinking is an iterative process in which we seek to understand the user, challenge assumptions, and redefine problems to identify alternative strategies and solutions that might not be instantly apparent with our initial level of understanding (Dam and Siang). Design Thinking enables companies to understand consumer needs.

Close-up of gold text "INE" embossed on textured brown leather, capturing a subtle sheen and fine grain detail. — Gif courtesy of Inez.

In this article series, I contacted different companies to learn how organizations apply Design Thinking. I spoke with Inez's communication team to learn more about the company.

Feet in gold high heels and a white flowing tulle skirt against a beige background, showing elegance and style. — Image courtesy of Inez.

1. What makes Inez different from other brands?

Inez shoes are designed with equal emphasis on style and comfort. Our founder, Hannah Spinelli, recognized a gap in the market for footwear that is both aesthetically beautiful and truly wearable, and set out to create heels women actually want to wear all day.

Woman in white tank and jeans sits on a white floor, wearing red heels. Boxes marked "Made in Spain" in the background. Casual mood. — Image courtesy of Inez.

2. How has Inez evolved since its founding?

When we launched in 2017, we offered just a handful of styles. Today, our collection includes over 50 designs, many available in multiple widths. We’ve expanded our Paloma boot to include various calf sizes, and our size range now includes 5, 5.5, and 11 in select styles.

Woman in black dress and heels sitting on a gray cylinder, posing against a dark background.她展示了一种时尚和自信的情绪。 — Image courtesy of Inez.

We’ve also achieved high-profile celebrity placements, with fans including Kristen Bell, Kate McKinnon, Bethenny Frankel, Catherine O’Hara, and Katherine Heigl, among others.

Legs in a black dress and sparkling silver high heels stand gracefully on a neutral background, creating an elegant and minimal mood. — Image courtesy of Inez.

3. How does Inez incorporate its mission and vision into its products?

Our mission is to transform how women experience wearing heels. We’re committed to bridging the gap between luxury design and all-day wearability, creating European-made footwear backed by research-driven comfort technology. Every pair is engineered to mold to the

unique shape of each foot while delivering timeless, sophisticated style.

Close-up of legs wearing shiny bronze knee-high boots on a brown pedestal. Background is neutral, creating a stylish and elegant look. — Image courtesy of Inez.

4. What is the future of the company?

Since our launch in 2017, Inez has doubled in growth year over year. Looking ahead, we’re eager to explore creative collaborations, such as a “limited-edition” heel with a like-minded company, and solidify our position as the premier luxury comfort heel brand. We aim to lead the category globally and expand our presence beyond the U.S., bringing our unique approach to comfort and style to women worldwide.