Taryn Rose changed the footwear industry in 1998 by creating a line of luxury shoes that are as comfortable as they are beautiful. Her idea of being well dressed with a sense of well being touched a nerve with fashionable women from coast-to-coast, creating a dedicated following for her footwear collection.
After her first year of business, she opened a boutique in Beverly Hills, California in 1999. Women traveled from as far as New Hampshire and purchased up to 20 pairs of shoes before returning home. This inspired Rose to immediately open a second boutique in New York and by 2002, opened a third in San Jose, California.
Formally trained as an orthopedic surgeon, Rose saw patients with many serious foot problems that were caused by fashion footwear, high heels and pointed toes. Being a lover of beautiful footwear, her own feet ached after 14-hour days in shoes with three-inch heels.
With her own appreciation of designer goods, Rose created her collection using the most luxurious materials available and crafted the line to be worn with the finest clothing. The shoes are made by highly skilled artisans in Italy, with almost three hours of hand labor in each pair.
In fall 2003, Rose launched a complete men's collection that spans from dress to casual. Celebrated by retailers who previewed the line at recent shows, the men's collection will debut in select specialty stores and shoe salons as well as the Taryn Rose Boutiques by early 2004.
Rose has been featured on CNN News Night with Aaron Brown, Oprah, Good Morning America with Diane Sawyer, Discovery Channel's Berman and Berman, National Public Radio All Things Considered, Fine Living Network's Radical Sabbatical, Later Today Show and news shows across the country. Recent editorial profiles include Wall Street Journal, People Magazine, Entrepreneur and Los Angeles Times Magazine. Fashion editorials include InStyle, O Magazine O List, Shape and Real Simple.
In addition to earning her medical degree from University of Southern California School of Medicine in Los Angeles, Taryn Rose has been recognized for her achievement in business and has received numerous honors: distinguished role model and entrepreneur in the City of Los Angeles during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (2003); recognized by the Women's Venture Fund as an outstanding entrepreneur during the Highest Leaf Awards in New York (2003), and by the Small Business Administration as one of four outstanding women entrepreneurs honored during the 50the Anniversary of the SBA in Washington DC (2003).
Close to her heart, Rose regularly participates in projects to support the Breast Cancer Research Center in New York City, The Joyce Eisenberg Keefer Breast Center at John Wayne Cancer Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Aids Project Los Angeles.
By the end of 2003 Taryn Rose International will reach almost $20 million in sales. The collection can be found at better shoe salons and specialty stores in the United States. International distribution will be launched in early 2004 at select retailers in Japan.
Statistics - Making Sure You're Not One
Women account for 90% of foot surgeries in the U.S. at an estimated cost of 2 billion dollars. 82% of women reported having foot pain. 72% reported one or more foot deformities.
86% of women wore shoes one or two width sizes too small (an average of 1.2 cm smaller)
In the 20% of women who reported no foot pain, there was only an average of 0.56 cm discrepancy between the width of their shoe and their foot.
20% of women had pain in the ball of the foot and 58% in the toes.
75% of women had neglected to have their foot measured in more than 5 years.
60% noted that their shoe size has increased.
Women with size 8 or larger had more pain and deformities than others.
50% of women were dissatisfied with their ability to find dress shoes that are fashionable and comfortable, despite the fact that 60% said they paid between $50 and $200 for shoes.
Source: The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society
Sole Comfort - Recipes for Your Feet
Comfort your toes, insteps, soles and your mind with a soothing footbath. Here are two wonderful recipes-one cool and refreshing, the other, warm and relaxing.
Lemon-Mint Footbath
Invigorate your tired feet with a cool lemon-mint foot bath. This is a refreshing end to a long hard day of being on your feet. The mint is natural refrigerant which works to calm irritated muscle fibers. The astringent lemon can actually brighten your toenails. Take pleasure in sliding your feet over the smooth rocks while inhaling the revitalizing scent of fresh mint leaves and lemon slices.
Here's what you do:
1. Cover the bottom of a basin (large enough to house both of your feet) with flat smooth stones.
2. Fill the basin with lukewarm water.
3. Add three to four drops of peppermint oil for every half-gallon of water. Swirl the water with your hand to distribute the oil evenly.
4. Slice one whole lemon and drop the slices into the water.
5. Grab two handfuls of fresh peppermint or spearmint leaves, gently rub them together to release their natural oils, and add them to the bath.
6. Slide your feet into the basin. Deeply breathe in the lemon-mint aroma while massaging your feet over the slippery stones for at least four minutes.
Chamomile-Mustard Seed Footbath
Standing and walking all day can take their toll or your body. Soothe away some of your achiness with this European-style, warm chamomile-mustard seed footbath. Chamomile is a calming essential oil and can also reduce swelling in sore feet. The warm water and mustard seed create a heating quality which may help to relieve headaches as well as comfort the feet.
Try this:
1. Fill basin (large enough to comfortably house both of your feet) with comfortably hot water.
2. Add one teaspoon of freshly ground mustard seed for every gallon of warm water.
3. Add three to four drops of chamomile oil for every half-gallon of water.
4. Place a few fresh chamomile flowers in the basin and swirl the water wih your hand to blend the mixture.
5. Put your feet in the bath and wrap a thick towel over the basin (to retain the heat). Soak for 20 minutes.
6. Remove your feet from the footbath and, with upward strokes, massage your them with your favorite lotion infused with a few drops of chamomile oil.
Footweart Tips
1.
Sizes may vary among shoe brands and styles. Do not select shoes by the size marked inside the shoe. Judge the shoe by how it fits on your foot.
2.
Select a shoe that conforms as nearly as possible to the shape of your foot.
3.
Have your feet measured regularly. The size of your feet change as you grow older.
4.
Have both feet measured. Most people have one foot larger than the other one. Fit to the largest foot.
5.
Fit at the end of the day when your feet are largest.
6.
Stand during the fitting and check that there is adequate space (3/8" to 1/2") for your longest toe at the end of each shoe.
7.
Make sure the ball of your foot fits comfortably into the widest part (ball pocket) of the shoe.
8.
Don’t purchase shoes that feel tight, expecting them to stretch to fit.
9.
Your heel should fit comfortably in the shoe with minimum amount of slippage.
10.
Walk in the shoe to make sure it fits and feels right. (Fashionable shoes CAN be comfortable and healthy!)
Source: The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society
