Leading women’s comfort brand Alegria has appointed Emily Pierdinock-Hagen as its new designer. With more than a decade of experience designing footwear for women and kids, Pierdinock-Hagen brings technical precision and a passion for reimagining comfort styles to her new post. She plans to evolve future collections with cutting-edge materials and technologies that enhance fit and function while staying true to Alegria’s playful, comfort-first DNA.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Emily to the Alegria family. Her fresh, innovative approach to design, combined with her deep understanding of comfort and style, will not only elevate our brand but also transform the way our customers experience joy with every step,” states CEO Luke Chen. “Emily’s creativity and expertise mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Alegria.”
Below, Pierdinock-Hagen chats with Unlaced about her design sensibility, where she finds inspiration, and why shoes are the perfect creative puzzle.
Q: What drew you to footwear design?
A: I actually fell into footwear design by chance. When I was younger, I saw myself designing costumes for stage and theater. After graduating with a BFA in Fashion Design from California College of the Arts, I spent a couple of years working in costume departments for opera, ballet, and theater, and had the opportunity to exhibit pieces all over the world. But theater is all gig work, and it didn’t feel like the right long-term career. On the recommendation of a professor, I applied for a job designing kids’ shoes, and it instantly clicked.
Q: What do you enjoy most about it?
A: I love the complexity of footwear. You can zoom out and think about how the final shoe looks, how it fits into an outfit, or the journey it will take with its wearer. But you also have to zoom in on the tiniest details. Shoes are puzzles. If one piece is off by even a few millimeters, the entire design suffers. One of my favorite moments is when a shoe design has been tricky, and a tiny 2 or 3mm tweak suddenly makes everything work. That’s really satisfying.
Q: What makes you a great fit for Alegria?
A: Alegria makes shoes that truly improve people’s lives. The Alegria team focuses on supportive comfort, but they’re also playful, bold, and unafraid to try new things. It’s such a fun blend of serious design and joyful expression. It also brings my background in kids and women’s footwear together. I get to bring a sense of playfulness into my work while designing shoes that genuinely support the wearer. It’s about joy and function coexisting.
Q: How would you describe your design sensibility?
For me, empathy-driven design means always starting with the customer in mind. I’m thinking about who they are, what they need from their shoes, and how I can make something that supports their daily life, physically and emotionally. That mindset really took hold when I was designing kids’ shoes, where comfort and foot health are critical. I carry that same awareness into every project, whether it’s for someone on their feet all day or a special-occasion shoe that needs to look and feel amazing.
My overall sensibility is rooted in function first, but I love to bring in personality through materials, color, and subtle detail. I enjoy getting lost in the details, whether designing custom hardware, finding creative ways to bring in branding, or adding unexpected special touches. But at the same time, I believe in restraint. I like things to feel thoughtful and intentional, not overdesigned. Some of the toughest designs are the cleanest ones, where every element earns its place.
Q: Where do you look for inspiration?
A: Everywhere! I’m always keeping my eyes open. The other day, I was sitting in a factory office in China drinking tea, and I noticed the engravings on the desk. I immediately thought, “That would make an amazing outsole tread.” Inspiration can strike at the most unexpected times.
Q: Can you give us a sneak peek of what’s ahead for Alegria’s collections?
A: Fall ’26 will be the first collection I’ve worked on from start to finish with Alegria, and I’m really excited about it. We focused on the core of what made Alegria special from the beginning and looked at how to evolve from there. I’m especially excited about a new spin on our classic rocker outsole. It’s something I’ve been working on closely, and I think our customers will love the innovation while still feeling Alegria’s signature comfort and style.
Q: What designers do you admire and why?
A: I admire designers and brands that push themselves into new and unexpected territories. The recent Keen x Afew collaboration stood out to me. I also loved the new Hoka Speed Loafer. Living in Michigan with a husband who’s a realtor, I really appreciate something that has high traction for snowy sidewalks but still looks professional. I’ve always been drawn to the materials Marsèll uses and their sculptural heels, and I love the clean aesthetic of The Row.
Learn more about Alegria Shoes and future collections at alegriashoes.com.
The post Alegria Welcomes Design Ace Emily Pierdinock-Hagen appeared first on Footwear Plus Magazine.
