Creative thinking and a flair for fashion give Elena Brennan, owner of Philadelphia’s Bus Stop Boutique, a way to differentiate herself from competitors and boost her bottom line. For the past decade, the London-born tastemaker has designed her own limited-edition footwear collections called BUS STOP X in collaboration with All Black Footwear.
The newest spring/summer iteration—called Seeing Clearly—includes 17 styles of oxfords, sandals, and ankle boots in sheer mesh fabrics. “The sheerness adds an element of sexiness,” Brennan explains. “It’s a breathable fabric, so it’s comfortable. It’s very much where sport meets chic.”
“I’m always trying something new,” says Brennan, who opened her boutique 18 years ago, noting that last fall’s collection was velvet themed. Bus Stop also carries women’s designer shoe brands, sustainable handmade shoes by ethical designers, unisex accessories, and footwear by local designers.
Dubbed The Queen of Flats, Brennan prides herself on finding the sweet spot where wearability and stylishness intersect. “I like shoes that stand out but are still comfortable,” she says. “Shoes designed for women by a female designer makes a big difference to the comfort of the shoe.”
Brennan designs all her BUS STOP X collections in Philadelphia. They’re then hand-made in a family-run factory in Taiwan. She prides herself on styles that capture the vibe of her brand and her boutique: trendsetting yet timeless. They’re “classics with a twist, which means they won’t go out of fashion when the next trend hits,” Brennan says. Equally key is ensuring that the look and construction of each shoe or boot helps the wearer feel confident, strong, and aware of her own inner beauty, she adds.
“My designs have helped my business tremendously,” Brennan says. “I approach every design as a piece of art, while staying true to the modern designs my customers covet.”
Loyal fans—some of whom live several states away and own up to 10 pairs of her oxfords—appreciate not just the look of her designs but also the exclusivity of owning a limited edition. “Once they’re gone, they’re gone,” Brennan says of her collections. And inevitably, they are.
