A really nice part of my job as fashion features editor at InStyle (and as a blogger, too) is that I get to meet many of the designers of my favourite shoe brands. Some I meet right at the beginning of their brand’s life; Havva Mustafa is one of those people – we first met by chance at London fashion week a few years ago – and I caught up with her last week.

Havva comes from a family of shoe makers (her dad still teaches shoe making courses) and she makes beautiful shoes herself, too. All of her designs are lovingly made in Turkey from gorgeous leather and have a comfy, squishy insole. She makes all types of shoe, but something I think she is particularly good at is sandals.

Athena (top) is also available in black and is one of Havva’s best sellers. I have a black pair (they feature in my book En Brogue: Love Fashion. Love Shoes. Hate Heels) and they are ludicrously comfortable. The quality is such that they feel totally appropriate for special occasions (I’d happily wear them to a wedding) and the same can be said for all the other styles. I love Circle with its two-tone black and snake, but it’s also available in black and white for something more subtle.

I’ve been swooning over Akira (above, top) since I first saw them in Paris in September and I’m so happy that mine have arrived! That monochrome is somehow classic but really edgy too, and I love the studs on the kiltie fringe. I also like that they have a toe post, so my feet will stay put inside the sandal. Ronin (above) looks great in this pale shade with a snake contrast, but is also available in plain black. For something totally fashion though, how about the tall version (below). Knee high gladiators were a massive catwalk trend for this season – though are a little more tricky to wear than an ankle strap if you’re short like me! I’d love to know what you think of Havva’s sandals, so leave comments below!