While successfully beefing up its cultural cachet in recent years, Timberland has seen few of its releases draw as much noise as Veneda Carter’s patent leather 6-Inch Boots.
The glossy take on Timberland’s famed “Wheat” boot has been nicknamed by the public as “Glazed” because of the similar appearance to a donut and has sold for as much as $1,000 on the resale market, four times its retail price.
Since the collaboration’s 2022 debut and 2024 restock, the designer and stylist has now found a steady partnership with Nike to go along with her successful eponymous jewelry label. Carter has teamed up with the Swoosh twice on the Air Max Muse and was the first outside partner tapped to work with the women’s sneaker.
“Collaborations can be a wonderful way to empower female creatives by giving them access to a broader audience and platform,” Carter said. “Nike is an amazing example of this— I feel so grateful for the support and creative trust they’ve given me. They really value female leadership.”
Being the steward of her own business has inevitably brought learning curves, and Carter said she has found guidance in her close circle and from other female founders to help her become more confident in her own decision making.
Becoming a mother in 2021 also shifted her perspective, as her priorities now lie in health, balance and providing a strong example of work ethic for her daughter, Bobbi.
A version of this article appeared in the June 1 print issue of FN, as part of the “Women Who Rock” special section. On June 3, FN and Two Ten Footwear Foundation will honor these women at the annual live event in New York City.