Vanessa Wu
Vanessa Wu is a French family-run footwear brand for women, founded in 2011 by designer Vanessa Wu. It makes comfortable fashion shoes, led by its lightning-bolt sneaker, alongside bags and accessories.
| Founded | 2011 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Vanessa Wu |
| Signature product | Basket éclair sneaker |
| Showroom | Paris, 11th arrondissement |
| Website | vanessawu.com |
What is Vanessa Wu?
Vanessa Wu is a French footwear brand that describes itself as a family label making shoes for all women. Comfort is its priority, without giving up on style.
History
Founder and artistic director Vanessa Wu comes from northern France, where her parents were shoe wholesalers. After working at Lanvin, she launched her own brand at 25. It started in 2011 under the name Vanessa's Secrets and was renamed Vanessa Wu two years later. A weakness in her right foot since childhood, which meant wearing specific shoes, shaped her focus on comfort.
The company remains family run: her mother oversees style and the relationship with the team in China, while her brother Xavier handles sales.
Products and positioning
- The basket éclair, a sneaker launched in 2019 that became the brand's signature
- Eleven permanent Iconiques models in sizes 35 to 42
- Handbags, added for the brand's tenth anniversary
- Socks, hats, laces and children's sneakers
Distribution
Vanessa Wu has sold to retailers from the start, with a wholesale showroom in Paris's 11th arrondissement, and added its own online shop within its first five years. It runs the Wu Cares responsibility programme and the Wu Club loyalty scheme.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Vanessa Wu?
The brand was founded in 2011 by French designer Vanessa Wu, who previously worked at Lanvin, and it is run with her mother and brother.
What is Vanessa Wu known for?
Vanessa Wu is known for comfortable women's sneakers, especially the lightning-bolt basket éclair launched in 2019.