FAQs
Tracey Neuls is a Canadian-born, London-based footwear designer who founded her label in 2000. After studying fashion and then specialising in footwear at Cordwainers College in London, she launched her first label, TN_29, at the age of 29. Now celebrating 25 years in the industry, Tracey is known for sculpting every shoe shape from scratch, starting with Plasticine and Moleskine sketchbooks, in a process closer to sculpture than conventional shoe design. Often called 'the designer's designer,' her work is worn by artists, architects, and creative professionals worldwide.
What makes Tracey Neuls different from other shoe brands?
We do not follow fashion trends. Every shape, toe, heel, and sole, is originally sculpted by Tracey herself, meaning no component is borrowed from pre-fabricated parts. This is exceptionally rare in the footwear industry. The result is shoes that are conceptually and materially unique: timeless rather than seasonal, sculptural rather than decorative. We work with a few suppliers from ateliers to family-run factories in Portugal and source leather exclusively from small, ethical tanneries in Italy. The craftspeople who make the shoes sign the soles alongside Tracey's name.
Where are Tracey Neuls shoes designed and made?
All shoes are designed in London and handcrafted in Portugal by skilled artisans who have worked with us for many years. Leathers are sourced from small, family-run EU tanneries, selected for their ethical practices and use of earth friendly tanning. There are no middlemen and no outsourced labour. Tracey visits the factories personally to discuss her vision directly with the makers.
Where can I buy Tracey Neuls shoes?
Our shoes are available online at traceyneuls.com, which ships internationally. We have one flagship store in Marylebone Lane, London, a unique retail space where shoes hang suspended from the ceiling on ribbons, allowing you to admire them from every angle. The Marylebone Lane store is located four minutes from Bond Street. We are also stocked at select boutiques worldwide, from America to Japan. For more information on stockists near you, please get in touch at shoes@traceyneuls.com.
Sizing & Fit
How do Tracey Neuls shoes fit?
Our shoes are designed with fit as a central consideration. Comfort, feel, and form are as important as aesthetics. Tracey uses a set of Italian lasts that she has refined over 25 years, resulting in a fit that is true to size for most customers. The shoes are shaped to move with the foot naturally. If you are between sizes or have a wider foot, we recommend reaching out to us at shoes@traceyneuls.com before ordering, as we are always happy to advise on specific styles.
What size guide should I use?
We use European sizing. Our size guide is available on the website and covers EU, UK, US and Japan conversions. As lasts and fits can vary slightly by style, particularly between flat shoes, sneakers, and heeled styles, we recommend checking the notes on individual product pages, where any style-specific sizing advice is included.
Can I return or exchange shoes if the fit isn't right?
Yes. We offer returns and exchanges on unworn shoes in their original condition. Please refer to the returns policy on our website for full details on timelines and process. If you are unsure about sizing before purchasing, we encourage you to reach out at shoes@traceyneuls.com. We are happy to help.
Materials & Craftsmanship
What materials are Tracey Neuls shoes made from?
The majority of our shoes are made from full-grain leather sourced from small, family-run tanneries in Italy. We use only whole cowhides with no scars, which ensures the animal was treated humanely. Cruelty is often visible on leather, and this is one way we ensure ethical sourcing. Linings are vegetable tanned, avoiding harsh chemicals. Soles vary by style and include leather, natural crepe, rubber, and, in the DOT trainer, a bio-based EVA foam made from 70% sugarcane-derived material.
What is vegetable tanning and why does it matter?
Vegetable tanning is an ancient leather-finishing process that uses natural plant-based tannins rather than industrial chemicals like chromium. It produces leather that is firmer, develops a rich patina with age, and is significantly less harmful to the environment. No toxic industrial waste is produced in the process. At Tracey Neuls, vegetable-tanned leather is used for linings, the parts of the shoe in closest contact with the skin, for comfort and chemical-free kindness to the wearer.
Are any Tracey Neuls shoes vegan or animal-free?
Most of our shoes are made from leather, which we believe remains the best material for longevity, comfort, and biodegradability when sourced ethically. Our commitment to ethical sourcing means the leather we use comes exclusively from animals treated humanely. If you are looking for non-leather options, please contact us at shoes@traceyneuls.com and we can advise on any styles made with alternative materials in the current collection.
Sustainability
Is Tracey Neuls a sustainable brand?
Sustainability is built into the way we have operated since the beginning, not added as a marketing position. We produce in small quantities, never mass-produce, source leathers ethically from small Italian tanneries using natural vegetable tanning, work with family-run factories in Portugal with complete transparency, use bio-based and natural sole materials where possible, and design shoes to be worn for the life of the shoes, not discarded seasonally. Our philosophy of timeless design over trend-driven fashion is itself a sustainable practice.
Can Tracey Neuls shoes be repaired?
Yes, and this is by design. Most of our soles can be refurbished and many components can be replaced when they wear out. We have a long-standing relationship with Quality Shoe Care, a cobbler at 33 Paddington Street, Marylebone, for exactly this purpose. Buying shoes designed to be repaired and reworn is one of the most meaningful environmental choices a consumer can make, and it is central to our ethos.
What is the DOT trainer made from?
The DOT trainer is our first sustainable trainer, and one of the most innovative products in our range. Its sole is made from a bio-based EVA foam derived from 70% sugarcane, a renewable resource that is lightweight, flexible, and more durable than conventional petroleum-based foam. The upper uses chrome-free and vegetable-tanned leathers. Sugarcane-based materials also help capture carbon during the sugarcane growth cycle, giving the shoe a lower environmental footprint than conventional trainers.
Does Tracey Neuls use waste materials?
Yes. We are committed to minimal waste in production. Small pieces of leather left over from cutting are often used to create single, unique pairs of shoes rather than being discarded. We buy only what materials we need and work at a scale where this level of care and attention is possible, something that would not be feasible in mass production.
Ordering & Delivery
Do you offer free delivery?
Yes. Free UK delivery is available on orders over £250. The company will cover all import costs on behalf of US and EU customers; import costs include taxes. processing fees, duty and tariffs.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we ship internationally. The company will cover all import costs on behalf of US and EU customers; import costs include taxes. processing fees, duty and tariffs. For other international destinations, please check the shipping information at checkout or contact us at shoes@traceyneuls.com for guidance.
How long does delivery take?
Delivery timelines vary by destination. UK orders are typically fulfilled within a few business days. For international orders, please refer to the shipping information at checkout, or contact us at shoes@traceyneuls.com if you have a specific deadline, for example, a gift that needs to arrive by a particular date.
Can I visit a store before ordering online?
Absolutely, and we encourage it. Our London store offers a genuinely unusual shopping experience: shoes are suspended from the ceiling on ribbons, allowing you to see every detail from every angle. Our team can help you find the right fit and style in person. The store is located on Marylebone Lane, four minutes' walk from Bond Street station.
Design & Collections
How does Tracey design a shoe?
Tracey's design process is tactile and personal. It begins with Moleskine sketchbooks and sticky notes, then moves to sculpting shoe lasts out of Plasticine, the same way a sculptor works with clay. She trained in fashion before specialising in footwear, and this means she thinks of a shoe as clothing for the foot: shaped to the body, not imposed upon it. All forms and shapes are exclusive to the brand, and all lasts originate from a set of Italian forms she has refined over 25 years.
What is the Heart Toe?
The Heart Toe is one of our most recognisable design signatures. It was first formed in 1997 as part of Tracey's Cordwainers College work, inspired by the 1935 René Magritte painting 'The Red Model' and her fashion training — the idea of shaping around the body rather than imposing a conventional form. The heart shape mirrors the natural roundness of the toe. It debuted in our launch collection in 1999 and continues to appear in current collections.
How often does Tracey Neuls release new collections?
We operate on a traditional seasonal calendar, Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer, but with a deliberately unhurried pace. We prioritise originality and timelessness over volume. With over 50 collections completed, the focus is always on the quality and integrity of each design rather than the quantity of new styles released. Many designs remain in the collection across multiple seasons because they are genuinely timeless.