Heels that are comfortable while traveling? That’s what one executive wanted to create.
Elizee
For frequent travelers, high heels can be a gamble. They might look stunning in an airport lounge, but after a long-haul flight or a day spent navigating cobblestone streets, the discomfort kicks in. Erika Carrero, founder of Elizée, learned this the hard way.
As a finance executive, she spent years traveling the world, navigating packed schedules across Mexico, London, Stockholm, India, and Argentina.
“We had offices in Mexico, London, Stockholm, India, and Argentina, and my schedule was always packed—meetings with auditors in Stockholm, customer visits in Mexico, executive presentations in London—followed by business dinners that often ran late into the night,” she recalls. From back-to-back meetings to late-night client dinners, she needed to look polished while staying comfortable.
But finding heels that could keep up with her jet-setting lifestyle felt impossible. Instead of compromising, she decided to create a solution herself. Carrero’s extensive travels didn’t just highlight the problem; they became the inspiration behind Elizée. Every city she worked in had its own style, and she quickly realized how cultural nuances shaped women’s footwear choices.
“In Mexico, the office culture was more casual, but for holiday parties, we dressed up—sometimes celebrating well into the night, ending with mariachis,” she explains. “Stockholm was more formal and structured, while in London, I relied on the Tube and walked everywhere, making uncomfortable heels nearly impossible to wear for long hours.”
Experiencing these different approaches to fashion made her rethink the role of footwear—not just as a statement piece but as a crucial element of a woman’s ability to move through her day with confidence and ease.
Her time in Silicon Valley provided the final push. Surrounded by tech-driven problem-solvers, Carrero enrolled in a design class at Stanford and had an epiphany: the best products solve real problems.
“With that in mind, I took a design class at Stanford and sparked the idea that true innovation comes from solving real problems—like the never-ending search for heels that didn’t force women to sacrifice comfort for style,” she says. That realization led to Elizée, a brand merging luxurious Italian craftsmanship with cutting-edge comfort technology, designed for women who refuse to choose between style and practicality.
Now, as an entrepreneur and frequent flyer, Carrero has perfected the art of traveling in style. For business trips, whether heading to New York or visiting Elizée’s factories in Italy, she prioritizes sleek, professional looks without sacrificing comfort.
“For business trips, I travel to New York frequently and visit our factories in Italy, so I always like to dress to impress,” she shares. “The Bella bootie in both colors is my favorite—it brings a bit of edginess to my outfit, and I usually pair it with an all-black jumpsuit. It’s sleek, comfortable, and effortlessly polished.”
For leisure, her style shifts to elegance with ease. “For more casual days, Chiara has become my favorite. It’s a block-heel sandal that pairs beautifully with flowy dresses, tailored pants, or even denim for a dinner out,” she says.
On a recent trip to Costa Rica, she relied on the Brigitte wedge, a travel MVP that worked for everything from upscale resort dinners to exploring hot springs. “Wedges offer that perfect mix of height and comfort, making them ideal for vacations where I want to look put together without sacrificing ease.”
Carrero’s travel philosophy is simple: prioritize versatility and comfort. She sticks to neutral tones that complement multiple outfits, invests in high-quality wardrobe staples, and always packs the right heels to support her through every journey.
“No matter where I go, I always consider both comfort and versatility. I stick to neutral colors, invest in high-quality pieces that transition seamlessly between occasions, and, of course, always pack the right heels that support me through every step of my travels,” she emphasizes.
Years of navigating airports, foreign cities, and shifting time zones have led her to create footwear that truly meets the needs of women on the go. Whether closing deals in Stockholm or enjoying a sunset in Santorini, Elizée proves that travel-ready style and comfort can, in fact, go hand in hand. Because at the end of the day, the best travel memories should come from the destination—not from aching feet.
