June Ambrose Named Global Ambassador & Creative Director of Naturalizer Shoes

June Ambrose is once again setting the tone for what fashion can look like when intention meets innovation. The legendary stylist and creative force has been named Global Ambassador and Creative Director of Naturalizer, marking a powerful new chapter for both Ambrose and the historic footwear brand, Black Enterprise reports.

Fresh off her exit from Puma, Ambrose wasted no time landing a role that feels tailor-made for her vision. Her first major contribution, Naturalizer Sport, will debut with three capsule collections launching in spring 2026. The line leans into what Ambrose does best, blending culture, style, and real-world wearability while honoring Naturalizer’s legacy as the first brand to design shoes specifically for women’s feet back in 1927.

“I created a collection that really feels like it’s for the future of how women want to go through the streets and through life,” Ambrose said during a walkthrough of a Naturalizer showroom.

Known for shaping iconic looks across music, film, and fashion for decades, Ambrose approached the collection with a clear philosophy. Comfort is not optional. In her words, uncomfortable shoes are simply rude. That mindset guided her mission to merge the ease of a sneaker with the polish of a stiletto, creating footwear that moves seamlessly from day to night.

“When you think about sport and footwear, you think sneaker. I wanted to merge those two worlds with comfort first and fashion second,” she explained. “And I approached developing each shoe and style with a character in mind.”

The resulting designs include lace-up pointed pumps inspired by classic trainers, chunky slip-on styles, and sporty strappy flats that balance function and flair. Each pair reflects Ambrose’s belief that women should never have to choose between looking good and feeling good.

“I wanted it to be multi-generational, multicultural, and be able to attract a consumer who wanted to dance in her pumps, who wanted her sneakers to feel like a fashion statement, and incorporating mesh and that foam cushion sole and last was very important to me,” Ambrose said.

With this partnership, Ambrose is helping introduce Naturalizer to a new generation of fashion lovers while reinforcing why the brand has endured for nearly a century. It is a meeting of past and future, grounded in a shared respect for women’s bodies and lifestyles.

“The foundation starts with a good pair of shoes. It could start at the top or the bottom,” she said. “Naturalizer was the first company to create a woman’s last (shoe form). There is intention in the DNA of the brand. They understand that a woman’s foot is not a man’s foot.”

As Naturalizer Sport prepares to hit the streets, one thing is clear. June Ambrose is not just designing shoes. She is redefining how women move through the world, stylishly and comfortably, on their own terms.

Cover photo: June Ambrose Named Global Ambassador & Creative Director of Naturalizer Shoes/Photo credit: Jiraurd Key/Hypebae