At Yuu®, we believe that shoes have the power to transform how you feel. With the right pair of shoes, you can gain confidence, elegance, and comfort with every step. That’s why we strive to create thoughtfully designed shoes to elevate your everyday.
Our Story
The journey began in 2005 when our founder, Sandra Yu, grew frustrated trying to find stylish yet comfortable shoes for work. As a busy career woman in New York City, Sandra spent all day on her feet meeting clients and running between offices. The shoes that looked professional would leave her feet throbbing by the end of the day. And the ones that felt comfortable looked too casual for business meetings.
Sandra realized there had to be a better way. She set out to design shoes that blended elegance and comfort perfectly. After months of sourcing quality materials and experimenting with shoe designs, the very first pair of Yuu® shoes was born.
The response was overwhelming. Friends, family and colleagues immediately fell in love with the shoes. They couldn’t believe shoes could be so comfortable yet look so polished and classy at the same time.
Encouraged by the positive feedback, Sandra invested her life savings into founding the Yuu® brand. The mission was simple: to create beautiful, comfortable shoes suited for every aspect of a modern woman’s life.
Our Design Philosophy
Every Yuu® shoe begins with an obsessive attention to detail. Our designers carefully select premium materials that mold to the contours of your feet. A padded insole cradles your foot for cloud-like comfort. The outsole provides lightweight flexibility with each step. And a modest heel adds a touch of elegance, without compromising stability.
But beautiful design means nothing without all-day comfort. Our commitment to comfort informs every design decision we make. We test our prototypes on real women doing real jobs. Only when our testers report back that they can wear our shoes from 9 to 5 without discomfort do we move forward with production.
We also recognize that no two feet are alike. So we offer a wide range of sizes and widths to provide the perfect personalized fit. Our goal is to have customers say: “Yuu® shoes fit like they were made just for me!”
Our Values
Since the beginning, Yuu® has been dedicated to more than just shoes. We strongly believe in empowering women worldwide.
That’s why over 65% of managerial positions at Yuu® are held by women. We know female leaders bring diverse perspectives crucial for a successful company. And we aim to promote talented women from within our own ranks.
We also pride ourselves on ethical and sustainable business practices. Our shoes are handcrafted locally using environmentally-friendly materials and dyes. We partner only with factories that provide safe working conditions and fair wages for employees.
As a proud woman-owned business, we are committed to donating a portion of profits to organizations supporting women’s health, education and professional development.
Our Brands
Over the years, the Yuu® family has grown to offer four unique shoe brands:
Yuu Grace
The Yuu Grace collection features elegant heels, flats and sandals perfect for cocktail parties, weddings and special occasions. Swarovski crystal detailing, luxurious satin and patent leather uppers give these shoes timeless glamour.
Yuu Flex
Yuu Flex shoes provide versatile looks for the everyday. Mules, loafers and oxfords seamlessly transition from workplace to weekend with slip-resistant outsoles and extra cushioning. The perfect balance of polish and practicality.
Yuu Walk
With Yuu Walk you’ll look forward to running daily errands. Lightweight crepe soles absorb shock for all-day energy. Breathable linings keep feet fresh when temperatures rise. Go-anywhere walking shoes reinvented.
Yuu Escape
Weekend ready styles like strappy sandals, block heel booties and summer wedges make up the Yuu Escape vacation collection. Pack a pair for your next getaway and feel the stresses of daily life drift further away with every comfortable step.
No matter your personal style or occasion, Yuu® offers the perfect shoe. Browse our latest collections to discover your new favorite pair today!
Spotlight: The Bethanee
One of the most popular Yuu® styles, the Bethanee clog represents the best of form and function. This slip-on clog features a sleek upper accented with delicate floral cut-outs. The roomy toe box allows toes to spread naturally while the padded footbed cradles your arch for support.
On hectic mornings, just slip them on with yoga pants for school drop-off. Then change into trousers or a pencil skirt to head straight to the office. The Bethanee transitions seamlessly from casual to professional wear.
The slight heel adds polish while still keeping you steady on your feet all day. And the flexible outsole absorbs impact as you dash between meetings and appointments. No wonder Bethanee is beloved by teachers, medical professionals, and busy moms alike.
As one customer raved: “These clogs saved my feet! I’m on my feet all day seeing patients, running from exam room to exam room. At the end of the day my feet still feel fresh and energized. I don’t know how I survived without my Bethanees!”
The Bethanee remains a enduring Yuu® classic after over a decade. Try this fan favorite and see what the hype is about!
How We’ve Grown
In the early days, founder Sandra Yu sold shoes from the back of her car outside NYC office buildings. But her commitment to empowering women through comfortable footwear quickly struck a chord.
Word spread, and the Yuu® brand gained a cult following focused on Sandra’s mission. Within our first year, we expanded from pop-up sidewalk shops to our very own brick-and-mortar location.
As delighted customers flooded in, boutiques across the country took notice. They wanted to carry our shoes in their stores. Soon Yuu® could be found in small shops across the East Coast and Mid-West.
Our rapid growth continued with the launch of our website in 2010. For the first time, we could connect with customers anywhere across the United States. Our community grew further with social media, where women shared the transformative power of their Yuu® shoes. They were no longer just customers, but brand ambassadors.
This grassroots support gave us the confidence to move into major department stores. In 2015, Yuu® landed its first large retailer contract with Nordstrom. Soon after came partnerships with Bloomingdales, DSW, Zappos and other national chains.
Today you’ll find Yuu® shoes sold in over 3,000 locations. Yet we remain committed to our founding identity as an empowering, woman-owned business. Just like our very first pair, every Yuu® shoe still combines elegant design with heavenly comfort. And reminds women to make every step confident and joyful.
Giving Back
At Yuu® we believe in making an impact that extends far beyond shoes. That’s why we donate generously to causes aligned with our mission of empowering women worldwide.
Our leading charity partner, Dress for Success, provides professional clothing and development tools for disadvantaged women re-entering the workforce. We are proud to sponsor annual donations including shoes, clothing and financial contributions.
We also partner with Soles4Souls to donate excess inventory to people affected by natural disasters across the globe. To date, over 150,000 pairs of Yuu® shoes have been distributed around the world to those in need through Soles4Souls.
At our company headquarters, we host regular donation drives collecting feminine hygiene products, school supplies and interview-appropriate clothing. We distribute donations locally to disadvantaged students and abuse survivors working to get back on their feet.
Our passion for uplifting women extends globally too. We partner with Kiva.org to provide microloans supporting female entrepreneurs in developing countries. Our loans focus especially on women opening shoe manufacturing businesses to sustain their communities.
Through donations, volunteering and company initiatives we strive to support women at all stages of their journey. Just like the perfect pair of shoes can transform your confidence, we hope to provide women the solid foundation to step into their full potential.
Join Our Team
Ready to join a brand that cares about making women feel great, inside and out? Browse our open positions to find a career that fits you perfectly!
Our headquarters team in New York City seeks driven, innovative talent to grow our brand. Find opportunities in design, marketing, finance, HR and more. Our close-knit office culture values collaboration and transparency.
If you prefer flexing your creative muscles behind-the-scenes, check out roles at our U.S. factories in Los Angeles and Portland. Production associates work hands-on transforming raw materials into wearable works of art.
Across departments, we look for candidates aligned with our mission. At Yuu®, we believe a diversity of perspectives leads to better ideas that resonate with our broad customer base. Applicants of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
For our latest job openings, head to the careers page on yuu-shoes.com. Ready to be part of a brand dedicated to empowering women worldwide? We can’t wait for you to join our team!
Come Visit Our Stores
While you can shop Yuu® shoes anywhere from our website to department stores, visiting a Yuu® boutique offers a truly unique experience.
Our flagship New York City location allows you to experience the brand’s origins firsthand. Browse shoes on display modeled by local NYC women of all backgrounds. Then sit and relax with a custom fitting by our on-site expert fit stylists. Leave with your dream shoes packaged in our signature royal purple boxes.
Can’t make it to the Big Apple? Not to worry, we have boutiques across the country for you to visit. Swing by our shops in Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, Atlanta and Minneapolis. Our knowledgeable staff provides personalized service to find your perfect fit.
At select locations, book an appointment at our Yuu® Shoe Bar. These specialty services go beyond normal shoe shopping. Choose from a traditional shoe shine, stretch & repair, shoe recon, or complete sole replacement. Our master cobblers pamper your shoes back to like-new condition.
Visit a Yuu® boutique near you for an elevated shoe shopping experience. Let our staff help you step out in style, confidence and comfort. We can’t wait to see you!
We Are Yuu®
In a world of mass-produced fashion, Yuu® stands apart. Our thoughtfully designed shoes remind women to infuse style with comfort, elegance with confidence. We believe when you feel great walking out the door each morning, it sets the tone for your whole day.
Ultimately, our shoes are about so much more than leather and soles. They represent the first step every day on your journey to greatness. We can’t wait to take that step with you.
