Jessica Taylor Mead & Elizabeth Thomas James

Full Bio

Co-founders Jessica Taylor Mead and Elizabeth Thomas James met in a footwear design class, and their common global consciousness and personal styling – vintage Levis and well-loved boots – brought them together to launch their shoe brand Taylor + Thomas as a new perspective on ethical luxury. 

The shoe industry, dominated by male makers and practices out of sync with shifting priorities of thoughtfulness, sustainability, and innovation, was ripe for disruption. Taylor + Thomas bridges conscious consumption with elevated taste, a brand driven by a responsibility to the health of our planet and the people and animals who inhabit it, today and for generations to come. 

Jessica and Elizabeth’s journey as partners began with a problem worth solving: addressing the wasteful state of the modern fashion industry. From the carbon emissions, water pollution, and waste production, to the treatment of animals and exploitation of the labor force.  

Launched in 2018 with a curated capsule of signature styles that every woman should have in her wardrobe, the point of view is clear – stand for something better and stop to appreciate the beauty in every detail. Sustainable materials – sourced from Italy and Japan – are interwoven with meticulous design details expertly handcrafted by skilled artisans. Each stitch and silhouette pays homage to generations of craftsmanship, while simultaneously pushing the construct of "modern luxury" itself. 

Taylor & Thomas work with highly skilled artisans who are paid fair wages, and use innovative, sustainable, cruelty-free materials, 

Taylor & Thomas ‘ heels are sourced from responsibly harvested and FSC-certified timber.