Harrods footwear head’s mission to find the next cult shoe

As head of buying for shoes and accessories at Harrods, Josie Gardner sits at the intersection of commercial strategy and creative direction for one of luxury retail’s most influential shop floors.

With responsibility for the category’s strategic vision and P&L (profit and loss), she has spent more than a decade shaping the way high-end consumers discover and invest in accessories – from her beginnings as an assistant buyer at Selfridges to her current leadership role at Harrods headquarters in Knightsbridge, which includes overseeing luxury footwear and accessories from Alaïa to Zegna.

As one of eight judges for the Drapers Footwear Awards 2026, Gardner brings her sharp commercial eye and instinct for product to the industry’s biggest night in footwear.

Taking place on 1 July at Grosvenor House London, the event will bring together brands and retailers including Clarks, Vivobarefoot, Flabelus, Nicki Hoyne and Crocs, which are shortlisted in categories ranging from Footwear Brand of the Year to Best Use of Social Media and Footwear Designer of the Year.

Gardner’s perspective comes at a pivotal moment: as luxury footwear balances accessibility with aspiration, and the market looks for its next breakout sneaker or enduring icon.

Gardner reflects on the rhythms of her day-to-day, the investment pieces she swears by and what makes a winning Drapers Footwear Awards entry.

Where are you based and who do you live with?

I made the big move out of London after my daughter was born in 2023. We now live in a small village close to Soho Farmhouse [near Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire] – our little nugget of London in the countryside.

What is the first thing you do in the morning?

I usually wake from what feels like a wonderfully peaceful sleep to my daughter shouting “mummy” at the top of her lungs from the next room. After a blurry scramble to get her out of bed, I really savour a hot shower, a cup of tea and my cosy slippers.

What is your coffee or tea order?

An oat latte if I’m feeling hungry, or an oat flat white if I have time for some food, too.

What does a typical workday look like for you?

I truly treasure the variety in my job. The fast pace of the industry, combined with the need for constant invention and creative thinking, keeps me on my toes. There’s very little solo working – most projects involve multiple stakeholders and partners, so my days are often filled with back‑to‑back meetings. Typically, that means a mix of brand meetings, team catch‑ups, trade reviews and strategy calls.

How would you describe your style?

Very low maintenance. I don’t enjoy standing out too much. My most repeated look is a silk slip skirt, cashmere jumper and suede boots.

What is the most treasured item in your wardrobe?

At the moment, my Bottega Veneta hobo bag and boots from The Row (right). I try to invest in timeless pieces.

Emails or phone calls?

WhatsApp.

How do you switch off from work?

As soon as I’m home, I like to get changed immediately – that’s my signal that work mode is officially off.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?

You can’t effectively focus on two important things at once. And surround yourself with people who give you good energy.

What is the last book you read or podcast you listened to?

The last book I read was Let Them by Mel Robbins (below). The last podcast was Parenting Hell with Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe – two very different extremes.

What are the main challenges and opportunities for the footwear sector in 2026?

In the luxury market, shoes are often the entry point and most accessible product for many brands, so limiting price inflation will be key. There’s also a real opportunity for a new cult luxury sneaker to surprise and energise the market.

As a judge, what makes a Drapers Footwear Awards entry stand out to you?

A strong balance of solid financials, creativity and truly compelling imagery.