A WOMAN is launching a shoe line for women affected by bunions or other foot conditions.

Shoe label Calla, the brainchild of Jennifer Bailey, from Newton-le-Willows, offers fashion-lovers who suffer from bunions specially designed shoes.

Jennifer, 37, has had bunions for around 20 years, and made it her mission to design a range of shoes which not only comfortably supported the bunion, but also looked as fashionable as high-street footwear.

The mum-of-two said: “The gap in the market was clear. Many shoes look beautiful on the shelves but are either too narrow around the toe area to fit the bunions in comfortably, or designed so that the bunions are exposed, causing embarrassment, frustration and putting elegance out of reach.

"When you have bunions it's incredibly frustrating trying to find something that not only looks nice but is comfortable too.”

Jennifer concluded that with a few adjustments and careful material choice, it would be possible to make high-end fashionable shoes that would also be comfortable for her feet. 

She says she had had the idea for a long time, but just needed a shove to get her going.  

"In my case it was being made redundant while pregnant," she said.

To bring her idea to fruition she met with shoe designers, a professional fitter, shoe making factories and podiatry experts, and has now created her range.

Her first line includes heels and ballet flats - and the business officially launches in November.

Jennifer is working with an established shoe factory in Portugal, which believed in the concept of this niche brand enough to let her start with small production runs.

She said: “I’ve had samples of the new line and they are fantastic. I’ve had a few ladies test them to see how they feel and the feedback has been really positive so I am hopeful that this line will be first of many to come.”

For more information about calla visit callashoes.co.uk.