Joy Gryson
From: Korea; raised in New York.
Work history: Former director of accessories design and development for Marc Jacobs. She started her own line last fall with buttery-soft Italian leather bags and is now branching out to shoes and boots this fall.
The feeling: A balance of subtle and urban-practical stomp; high-heeled pumps with lug soles, soft flat boots ornamented with one slim brass zipper, all in dark, versatile, dirt-proof colors.
Where to get them: Plaza Too (starting in August), 2231 Broadway, nr. W. 80th St.; 212-362-6871.
Cheyenne Morris
From: New York.
Work history: Went to the School of Visual Arts and F.I.T.; ran a vintage shoe store, the Shoe Shack, in Sag Harbor. Launched her line Tashkent (named for her Uzbek grandmother’s hometown) in fall 2006. Designer Phillip Lim commissioned shoes from her for his spring 2007 runway show.
The feeling: Accessibly hip, with references to current trends (like ankle boots and flats) but with distinctive touches (square metal plates and woolly lining on her fall version of a ballet shoe).
Where to get them: Bird, 220 Smith St., nr. Butler St., Cobble Hill, Brooklyn; 718-797-3774.
Courtney Crawford
From: St. Louis.
Work history: Former bodybuilder and children’s book writer; launched his collection in spring 2006.
The feeling: Not for the shy. Crawford’s first collections were sky-high heels and bright with feathers and fur. This spring, he toned it down slightly by introducing a few flats— although in metallic gold, and with names like “Dancing With Myself.”
Where to get them: Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 Fifth Ave., nr. 50th St.; 212-753-4000.