A conversation about style, comfort and the joy of dressing well.
Every pair of Cecilia Quinn shoes has a story, and so do the women who wear them.
Some discover us through a recommendation. Others wander in by chance. Olga's story begins with long walks, a rescue dog called Joey, and a belief that beautiful things should be enjoyed every single day.
She doesn't save her favourite clothes for special occasions. Whether she's heading into the woods with Joey, meeting friends for coffee or simply popping to the supermarket, she believes getting dressed is something to enjoy—not something to reserve for "best."
"I love dressing up for my dog walks. I never save anything for best."
Meet Joey
Before we talked about shoes, we talked about Joey.
Olga and her husband had always known they wanted to adopt a rescue dog. When they first met Joey, they took him for a walk. Halfway through, he let out the loudest howl. Whether it was excitement or simply instinct, Olga likes to think he already knew he'd found his family.
At the time, it wasn't really the right moment to adopt.
But leaving him behind was even harder.
"The thought of walking him, then taking him back to the rescue centre absolutely broke my heart. I couldn't stop thinking about Joey—or all the other dogs waiting for someone to choose them."
Not long afterwards, Joey came home.
Now he's rarely far from Olga's side.
She laughs that she probably looks ridiculous to everyone else, walking through the woods with Joey in leather trousers and beautiful Italian shoes, but she wouldn't have it any other way.
"He's my boy."
Tell us a little about yourself. How would your friends describe you?
"They'd probably tell you I'm funny! When I worked in the hospital, everyone called me the 'Russian doctor', and somehow I became known as the style icon of the team.
I've always loved fashion. Like most girls, I was forever borrowing my mum's clothes, but my biggest inspiration was my grandmother. She was an absolute fashionista. Even for a simple trip to the supermarket, she'd try on several dresses before deciding what to wear.
Watching her taught me that getting dressed should be something you enjoy, and I've carried that with me ever since."
A Lesson From Grandma
Olga still thinks about her grandmother whenever she gets dressed.
She remembers watching her carefully choose an outfit for even the simplest errands—not because anyone expected her to, but because it made her feel good.
That philosophy has stayed with Olga ever since.
"You never know who you might inspire simply by dressing beautifully."
How did you first discover Cecilia Quinn?
"My husband and I love going for walks, especially with Joey, and that's actually how I discovered Cecilia Quinn. We were walking past the old shop on Hart Street when I spotted these beautiful, unusual shoes in the window. I just had to go in.
When I moved to the UK from Latvia, I found shopping for clothes easy, but I really struggled to find shoes that felt well-made, stylish and a little different. I often waited until I visited home to buy shoes because I couldn't find the same quality here.
Finding Cecilia Quinn completely changed that. I've learnt that I don't have to choose between comfort and style. The shoes are beautifully made, unique and incredibly comfortable—something that's surprisingly hard to find."
"I've learnt that beautiful shoes can be incredibly comfortable too."
What makes you keep coming back?
"Of course, it's the shoes—but it's so much more than that. It's the people, the coffee, the atmosphere... it genuinely feels like you're visiting friends.
Every visit is different. We chat, catch up, swap advice and, yes, sometimes it even turns into a little therapy session! Joey certainly loves coming too because he knows he'll be spoiled with treats.
It's unlike any other shoe shop I've been to. There's never any pressure to buy. The team really gets to know your style, but they also encourage you to step outside your comfort zone. Some of my favourite pairs are shoes I would never have chosen for myself."
What does elegance mean to you?
"To me, elegance is about being intentional with what you wear. Whether you're walking the dog, popping to the supermarket or meeting friends, why not do it with a little style?
That's what I love about Cecilia Quinn. The shoes strike the perfect balance between comfort and elegance, so you never feel like you're compromising.
I think dressing well isn't just for yourself. The way you present yourself can brighten someone else's day—or even inspire them. You never know who's watching."
"Elegance isn't about dressing up for special occasions. It's about bringing a little beauty into everyday life."
Which pair do you reach for most?
"Without a doubt, my white leather trainer boots. I love that they have both laces and a zip, which makes them so easy to slip on and off.
They're incredibly versatile. I wear them throughout winter on dog walks with Joey—while still feeling stylish, of course!—and they transition perfectly into spring too. They're one of those pairs I can always rely on, whatever the day has in store."
Why she loves them...
- Perfect for woodland walks with Joey
- Comfortable from morning to evening
- Stylish enough for every season
