SCOTTISH shoe brand Beata Lei encourages women to feel more confident and powerful.

The brand was launched in Scotland in 2014 by designer Jamie Cuffy, who was inspired by his late mother Maria, who had a passion for beautiful clothes.

Beata Lei is currently backed by entrepreneur and philanthropist Don McCarthy, who is a former chairman of House of Fraser. McCarthy approached Cuffy in 2015 and acts as his confidante while continuing to inspire and mentor him on his growing brand.

Continuing to go from strength to strength, Beata Lei recently collaborated with the London Ladies Couture designer Mary Martin at African Fashion Week at London’s Olympia.

This year, the brand also achieved retail success with part of its debut collection being stocked in high street store Dune at their Glasgow branch.

Cuffy is inspired by his home, Glasgow. The city acts as the main inspiration behind many of his creations.

In addition to his surroundings, Cuffy is also influenced by successful shoe designers. These include Salvatore Ferragamo, Roger Viver, Charles Jourdan and Manolo Blahnik.

The foundations at the heart of Beata Lei are height, colour and sexiness, all of which Cuffy bases his designs and ideas upon.

The brand’s ultimate desire is to empower women as well as make them feel more confident and beautiful.

Cuffy puts a great deal of thought into his customer when creating them the perfect pair of shoes.

He says he includes factors such as: “Who is she? What and who does she like to wear? Who are her friends? What does she drink? Where does she dine? Where does she holiday?”

The success of Beata Lei’s Spring/Summer 16 range has led to a further expansion of his collection. The brand is unveiling its new winter collection during the first week in October.

As well as the introduction of an A/W 16 collection, Cuffy has custom-made and donated a pair of gold-studded sandals to the St Andrew’s Hospice in Airdrie to help their Capital Fundraising Appeal. These will be auctioned at their Ladies Gala Evening at Glasgow’s Grand Central Hotel in November.

www.beatalei.co.uk