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Born and raised in England, Penelope Chilvers originally trained as a painter at the Byam Shaw School of Art in London, and was granted a scholarship from the Spanish Ministry of Culture, to complete an MA at Complutense University in Madrid.
Her love affair with Spain and local craftsmanship began long before. As a child, she spent every school holiday in the province of Girona where she first came across rustic, handmade alpargatas. She has been trying to make the perfect raw edged, bullhide moccasin that only exists in her childhood memories ever since!
For a few years, Penelope lived in the city of Barcelona, working as a painter and designer where she collaborated with artists and artisans. She worked with woodturners designed for the textile industry, and worked on interesting projects including the restoration of the Picasso Museum. While living in Barcelona, she enjoyed riding in her lunch break in the national park of Collserola in the hills above the city wearing traditional Spanish riding boots.
She pursued the idea of bringing the Spanish riding boot to England and commissioned a small number of traditional artisans in the hills of Spain to make the perfect equestrian boot – our Long Tassel boot–to her own specifications.
Having returned to the UK, Penelope began to work from her kitchen table, selling over 100 pairs of the Long Tassel Boot in a short space of time to a leading fashion boutique in Notting Hill called The Cross. From that moment on, she got to work, designing her first comprehensive collection to launch at Paris Fashion Week in 2002. The collection has since grown to include iconic styles such as the Incredible Boot, our highly sought-after après ski boot, the crepe soled Neon Safari boot, and a solid offer of Goodyear welted outdoor boots and footwear for experience and adventure.
Most famously worn back in 2004 by Prince William’s then girlfriend, Kate Middleton. HRH Catherine, Princess of Wales continues to wear her boots to this day, most recently on a royal engagement in County Durham to visit Manor Farm.
For summer, the collection includes authentically made espadrilles incorporating the traditional Catalan methods of espadrille making using natural jute and hand-sewn construction. Handmade leather sandals, sneakers and the unisex Dandy slipper complete the offer.
Penelope Chilvers has a reputation for superb quality, comfort and effortless style. Styles become “wardrobe staples” or “old friends”; the dog walking boot, the easy espadrille, the quintessential Chelsea boot, and the warmest après ski boot. We design footwear and accessories to fall in love – and stay in love – with.
