Step inside Fundae, the eco-conscious luxury shoe brand redefining chic, customizable footwear for women. In her multifunctional showroom-meets-studio at Chicago’s Bridgeport Art Center, founder Holly Gallard shares what it takes to build a brand as a solo entrepreneur. Balancing material experimentation with intentional craft, she centers both women and the planet in every step. Between running a business, raising her children as a single parent, and pursuing her creative vision, Holly reflects on the journey that shaped Fundae—and how she protects her wellness so her work can thrive. Her studio mirrors Fundae’s ethos: personalization, purpose, and preservation.
The Heart of Fundae: Creativity at the Bridgeport Art Center
Located on Chicago’s South Side, the Bridgeport Art Center is a vibrant hub of creativity. Set within a multilayered industrial space, it houses studios, galleries, event spaces, a sculpture garden, and a lively café. For Holly, the center is more than just a workspace—it’s a place where imagination, connection, and inspiration come together.
On the fifth floor, Fundae’s studio radiates that same playful spirit. Sunlight streams through tall windows, bouncing off pastel hues and candy-colored objects. Columns of shoe boxes hold finished styles and interchangeable toppings. Each detail is sundae-like, ready to be transformed. Most striking is the center of the showroom, where a cozy bumble-gum-pink living room setup evokes the feeling of stepping into the closet of a stylish, on-the-go businesswoman.
“I wanted Fundae to feel like a place where imagination comes first,” Holly says. “Where you can be playful, thoughtful, and still honor the planet.” Here, every design tells a story—not just of style, but of creativity, individuality, and care.
From Concept to Couture: Building the Fundae Brand
Holly Gallard’s passion for shoes began long before Fundae. Growing up in California, she spent afternoons exploring boutiques with her mother and grandmother. A time when she also avidly attended the theater, soaking in moments of style and ritual. Ballet taught her the elegance of movement, while a 25-year media career revealed gaps in the shoe market and gave her firsthand experience running a business as a single parent.
These experiences led her to create footwear that is fully customizable and designed for everyday women. What started as a personal project quickly became a brand grounded in sustainability and thoughtful design.
“I’d love to save the ocean, but I’d love to do it in stilettos,” Holly says. Even the name tells a story: a nod to her nickname, ‘Holly-day Fun,’ and the indulgence of a sundae. Fundae invites women to make their shoes—and their style—their own.
Wellness and Creativity: Holly’s Balanced Approach
For Holly, creativity and wellness are inseparable. Every choice—from materials to design—reflects care for both the wearer and the planet. She is candid about the fashion industry’s so-called “vegan” options, many made from petroleum or plastics, and sees Fundae as a different path: shoes crafted from vegetable-based materials, a corn-based foundation combined with recycled polyester. For her, what we wear should feel as intentional as what we consume.
Building a brand on her own is no easy feat. Yet Holly finds profound reward in the process. “The thrill of bringing something to life, despite resistance, and then seeing people connect with it—is truly inspiring,” she says. For Holly, the joy extends beyond the shoes themselves to the community that forms around them.
Wellness, she explains, goes far beyond sustainability—it’s about caring for oneself. Holly prioritizes slowing down, carving out time for yoga, movement, and quiet moments that restore energy and spark creativity. Travel also plays a role, providing fresh experiences that inspire her designs and give ideas room to grow.
Looking Ahead at Fundae’s Future
Holly wants every woman to feel a spark of joy in her shoes—a confident stride, a cheeky high kick, a little extra sway in every step. She imagines her customers turning heads on the street, catching compliments, and carrying the same playful energy that fuels her designs.
As Fundae steps into the next chapter, Holly is expanding her retail presence without compromising comfort, craftsmanship, or style. Her shoes, crafted from recycled Maserati materials with an Italian manufacturer, celebrate bold design and unapologetic quality—the messy, thrilling journey included.
For Holly, the future is fearless: inventing daring new styles while keeping sustainability at the forefront. With Fundae, every step isn’t just fashion—it’s a statement, a joy, and a little bit of magic.