Scarlett Chase Comfort Footwear Brand: Interview, Top Orthopedic Shoes

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Sandra Powers Murphy ended her career on Wall Street, started her own broker-dealer, published a book on marketing consulting, and stayed as far away from the footwear industry as possible.

Then the mother of six experienced an awakening in the form of a business trip to New York.

“It was 7 p.m. and I wanted to catch the last train back to Boston. It was raining and there were no taxis. You can imagine the days before Uber. I was like, ‘The only way I’m going to get on this train is to take off my shoes and run 10 blocks,'” Murphy told Footwear News.

“Literally, this is what I did, and when I got to Penn Station, I thought, ‘Oh my god, I might have gotten meningitis.'” Why on earth couldn’t women do something about this? “We had a great day of meetings and had the resources, but we couldn’t solve this problem,” she continues. “So I got on the train and called my assistant at the time, and she asked me, ‘Sandra, if you could do anything, what would you do?’ I immediately said, ‘I’ll solve your shoe problem.’ ”

Fast forward to 2026, and Scarlett Chase, named after one of Murphy’s daughters, is solving the so-called shoe problem by refusing to sacrifice a chic look in the name of comfort.

Featuring a unique, first-of-its-kind technology called SC360, each Scarlett Chase product blends trends with orthotic-grade support, including a high-response, energy-returning foam insole, a construction designed with guidance from orthotic experts and biomechanical engineers to shift weight from the ball of the foot to the heel, a shock-absorbing platform in the outsole, and a bunion-compatible upper. The silhouette marks one of the label’s most notable accomplishments: producing its styles in the same European shoe factories that create new releases for Jimmy Choo, Prada, and Miu Miu.

So Scarlet Chase “spares no expense,” as Murphy puts it, wrapping its acclaimed models in natural, premium materials like Italian suede and luxurious Napa leather. Cameron Diaz, Viola Davis, and Kelly Clarkson have co-signed to “The Scarlet Chase Difference” over the years.

To fill a gaping hole in the women’s shoe market (i.e., the lack of heels suitable for keeping up with the relative ease of their male colleagues as they moved from building to building), Murphy first introduced a hero product called the Scarlet 75 Pump. What is the resistance part of it? “A patented leather hidden platform bottom creates the illusion of extra height, and a custom, highly cushioned removable OrthoLite orthotics can also be used with running sneakers,” says Murphy.

Combining these elements changes the pitch and reduces pressure on the toes. “Whether we like it or not, as we age, the fat in the front of our legs expands and thins,” explains Murphy. That makes it even more important to find shoes that can evenly distribute weight and prevent joint strains that can spread to your back. Scarlett Chase is in those shoes.

In addition to the Scarlett 75, the same principles apply to women-owned Portia 75 stretch booties, Audrey 55 pumps, Chase loafers, Cali 45 sandals, and other best-selling products that sell out quickly. Consolidating most selections allows you to collapse them into neater proportions ( genuine A luxurious feel for frequent travelers), incredibly light weight, and an all-inclusive fit is evident in everything from the widened boot shaft to indulge big calves (“women literally cry when they try on the boots,” says the founder) to the roomier toe box.

Looking at the current Scarlet Chase lineup, it’s hard not to notice how each shoe aligns with the footwear guidelines set by recent runways. Metallic-finish strappy sandals, horsebit loafers, and kitten-heel slingbacks abound at scarlettchase.com, but Murphy is quick to point out that Scarlett Chase is aiming for classic, not trendy.

“I love Chanel, and I love the original Dior, so you always see us in a clean aesthetic,” she added.

In other words, while timeless versatility is the foundation of the range, Murphy doesn’t shy away from offering customers a “choose your own adventure” experience when styling the products they’ve just purchased.

Take Fiona Cowboy Boots for example. The patent-pending design features a secret zipper, unique forefoot lift and foot-hugging technology that’s guaranteed to make your festival season outings more enjoyable. But the star of the show is undoubtedly the boot’s separately sold interchangeable gaiters, which grow to full length in seconds and ensure the style is easier to pack in your carry-on than going through airport security in its original packaging.

genius? These are Scarlett Chase’s signature adjectives, and Murphy wants to introduce the brand to a younger demographic just as passionate about foot health as those in their 40s to late 60s, but with close attention to the needs and wants of the latter group.

“I think fashion is completely overlooked, because these are women with money to spend, but no one cares. People don’t pay enough attention to them. My target customers don’t just buy one pair of shoes. They buy 10 pairs. They buy boots.” and boots. They want a pain-free look and are no longer willing to compromise,” says Murphy.

Is the median price for Scarlet Chase over $500? These aren’t the super bargains you’ll find on Amazon, but as always, the ends totally justify the means in this context.

“You’re paying way more than that to fix the problem you caused. Once you wear bad flip-flops, all of a sudden you have to go to the chiropractor. People don’t connect these things, but they really should,” Murphy tells us.

She sees Scarlet Chase as an antidote to “low-cost Amazon solutions”. intention Lasts a lifetime – No need to keep receipts for future returns.

On what motivates Murphy to do her job every day: “I want to empower women, from journalists and lawyers to doctors to athletes to the Kelly Clarksons of the world who sing on stage. I want to empower women to think they look great. I want them to understand that they can feel supported at the same time.When someone says, “I never thought I’d get another pair of boots,” or “I gave up on heels,” now I say, “You gave me a chance.” this That’s why I wake up in the morning. ”

Shop Scarlett Chase’s most popular comfort shoe styles for summer

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meet the author

Stacia Datskowska Senior Commerce Writer at WWD. Previously, she worked as an assistant digital editor at ELLE DECOR, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through the lens of design. Over the past five years, her byline has appeared in USA Today, the Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, the Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Before joining ELLE DECOR, Datskowska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, wrote about big sales, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from New York University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on the best up-and-coming shoe brands to keep an eye on (and add to your shopping history).