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NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 25:  Spanx Founder Sara Blakely speaks onstage for during day 3 of Fast Company Innovation Festival at 92nd Street Y on October 25, 2018 in New York City.  (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fast Company)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 25: Spanx Founder Sara Blakely speaks onstage for during day 3 of Fast Company Innovation Festival at 92nd Street Y on October 25, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fast Company)
Getty Images for Fast Company

Spanx founder Sara Blakely is going back to her roots. The businesswoman has a new startup venture in the works and this time around she’s tackling shoes.

On Aug. 20, Blakely is launching Sneex, a footwear company focused on making comfortable high heels.

“I’ve been secretly working on/dreaming about something for years. A new invention, and a new brand,” she posted on Instagram.

According to the brand’s site, Blakely has been working on the shoes for nine years. The patented design features a sneaker-stiletto hybrid (cheekily called hy-heels), made in Spain, featuring a 78mm heel, napa leather, Italian mesh and suede materials. The goal of the design, which also includes re-engineered weight distribution, a comfortable toe box and arch support, is to addresses major pain points in a traditional high heel.

“Back in start up mode. Let’s GOOOO! Another company with boxes in the garage. Reliving my [Spanx] days for sure. Only this time I actually have a garage. When I started Spanx I was in an apartment and they left all the boxes on my front porch. Oh… and I’ve got 4 kids in start-up mode now,” she captioned on Instagram on Wednesday.

Watch on FN

Blakely is no stranger to creating fresh, new product. She founded Spanx in 2000, and in 2021, Private equity giant Blackstone bought a majority stake in the shapewear company in a deal that valued the company at $1.2 billion at the time.

There are currently three styles available to shop now in multiple colorways, retailing from $395 to $595. Take a look.

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