People of Bermondsey : Claire Burrows, Founder of Air and Grace

Mar 8

AIR AND GRACE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY LIMITED EDITION CLAIRE BURROWS

Please introduce yourself and your business.

I’m Claire Burrows and I’m the founder of Air & Grace, a women’s footwear brand that’s doing things differently. After 20 years in the footwear industry I became frustrated with the idea that style and comfort couldn’t co-exist. For me it was a problem that needed to be fixed, I didn’t want to sacrifice style but as I’m always running around town I needed comfort. Air & Grace is the answer to both.

We don’t follow fast fashion fads, we believe in a slow fashion approach, our best sellers have been in the range for 5 years plus pricing that style doesn’t have an expiration date.

We manufacture and source all our shoes responsibly in Europe and design everything from our Bermondsey street studio.

AIR AND GRACE CLAIRE BURROWS FOOTWEAR BERMONDSEY STREET LONDON

How did your Bermondsey/SE1 story begin?

My Bermondsey connection goes back a while. I was a buyer for Kurt Geiger back in 2000 when they were based in Bermondsey Street and it’s where I met Michelle, our Air & Grace customer service manager. It was a very different place then to street I know and love now. The Woolpack was called The London Scotia and hardly any of the street’s fabulous deli’s and bars existed.

I find it funny that I used to walk past 60 Bermondsey street which is now the home for Air & Grace, never imagining that I’d be running my own footwear brand from that space. Air & Grace actually began at my home in Bermondsey Wall West too.

AIR AND GRACE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY LONDON WOMEN IN BUSINESS

What does a typical day/week look like for you at Air and Grace?

A day at Air & Grace can be absolutely anything. I’m the creative director and CEO so I may start the day with product and finish with finance. We’re a strong all female team of 9 who believe in our mission to create comfortable shoes that look as good as they feel.

It’s a laborious process that can be challenging at times, but we make it fun. We create all of our content for social media from here too, so you might see me being filmed showing off our shoes dancing in the window (it’s the best light). Apologies for my moves!

Can you tell us about your annual partnership with The Prince's Trust and supporting young women across the UK in line with International Women's Day?

I believe it’s important for businesses to give back and as a female entrepreneur the Prince’s Trust Women Supporting Women campaign is a cause close to my heart. I’ve been an ambassador for the Princes Trust since being introduced to the amazing work they do by Gaby Roslin. We collaborated to create a limited edition colour of Gaby’s favourite Air & Grace trainer in aid of the charity - it sold out in 30 minutes!

I’ve created a limited edition Air & Grace style to celebrate International Women’s Day every year since.

The funds help support young women to build better futures for themselves through employment, education or by starting their own businesses.

ROXY SIGNATURE: PEARL IRIDESCENT TRAINERS AIR AND GRACE LONDON FOOTWEAR

Where can people find the limited edition trainer this year and support the cause?

This year our limited edition style in aid of the Women supporting women campaign has a lovely backstory. It’s been inspired by a bespoke trainer created for Kym Marsh’s Wedding commissioned by her stylist Martine Alexander. Kym’s a fan of the brand and can often be seen in her favourite Roxy trainers so of course we wanted to help. I sourced a beautiful pearlised leather that matched Kym’s Wedding dress to create a special pair of Roxy trainers that Kym could wear to dance the night away in.

When the shoes were shown on Instagram they got an amazing reaction, so we have recreated just 200 pairs which will be available on our website and in store at Elys of Wimbledon. They launch at 8am on 8th March… be quick our limited edition styles sell out fast.

Created in aid of the Women Supporting Women fund. For every pair sold we're donating £25 to The Princes Trust.

BUY NOW AND SUPPORT THE CAUSE

The HQ is based on Bermondsey street; where is your favourite place to eat and drink for lunch and/or dinner?

So many! This area is foodie heaven and there’s always new places to discover. My lunch time takeaways are sushi bowls from Omiode or papaya prawn salad from Caphe House.

For after work Champor-Champor does the most amazing Thai food, Tapas at José Pizarro’s is incredible and Casse-Croûte is one of the best French bistros in London. I walk past their kitchen most mornings and the smell is always amazing. I love their sister restaurant Pique-Nique in tanner street gardens too, perfect for a sunny day.

We’ve also got the arches around Maltby Street Market and of course Borough Market - Elliots is my fave, their cheese puffs are off the scale! We’re literally spoilt for choice.

What is your Bermondsey secret for any visitor?

Walk! There’s so many places around here in unexpected locations. The best way to discover the area is to wander around and you won’t be disappointed. We’re so lucky to have so many green spaces too and only a stones throw from the river. I love walking and never take transport if I can walk instead. Comfortable shoes are a must!