Feb 24: In a landmark move for India’s footwear industry, Meerut-headquartered inclusive footwear startup House of Avi has onboarded Guinness World Record holder Tanya Herbert as its Brand Ambassador. In 2022, Herbert was included in the Guinness Book World Records for having the largest feet on a living person (female). The collaboration marks a pivotal milestone for House of Avi, which has built its reputation and identity around curating the world’s largest standard footwear size range – from 4 to 20 (US size) – as part of its regular inventory.
While major global brands typically cap women’s footwear production at US size 10 to 12, and most Indian manufacturers rarely exceed size 14, House of Avi is offering a wide variety of women’s and unisex footwear up to size 20, making them the undisputed world’s largest shoes’ manufacturer. As their Brand Ambassador, Herbert will be actively participating and contributing towards House of Avi’s digital and social media campaigns, strategic marketing and publicity efforts, and propel awareness initiatives tailored to connect the brand with individuals worldwide who struggle to find footwear accommodating their size.
41-year-old Tanya Herbert, who lives in Houston, Texas, USA, used to struggle, for the most part of her life, when she tried finding feminine footwear options in large sizes. Her right foot measures 33.1 cm (13.03 inches) and her left foot 32.5 cm (12.79 inches), corresponding to US women’s shoe size 18. That changed after she wore House of Avi shoes for the first time in 2024; and today, House of Avi has become a regular part of her everyday life, as Herbert continues to advocate publicly for body positivity and inclusivity in footwear and fashion.
Expressing her enthusiasm on joining House of Avi as brand ambassador, Tanya Herbert said,
“I strongly believe that style should be inclusive, and House of Avi is actually making that happen. For decades, I was forced to compromise – often wearing men’s shoes because nothing else fit. House of Avi helped me flip that script. They approached me not as an exception or afterthought, but as someone they were already building for. That difference matters. I am truly excited to officially partner with Avi and his team, and look forward to working together to meaningfully grow a brand that genuinely understands the importance of inclusivity, and is committed to serving those with plus-size feet – who have been, for long, overlooked by mainstream footwear brands”.
People with large-sized feet, who have been traditionally left out by mass-market and premium brands alike, find it extremely challenging to find proportionate, size-appropriate footwear. House of Avi’s approach not only bridges this gap, but also challenges the industry norm of treating larger sizes as rare, custom requests. Instead, the brand integrates large-sized footwear into its core manufacturing, while ensuring style, craftsmanship, and durability remain consistent across its entire size range.
Avi Kumar, Founder and CEO, House of Avi commented,
“Our collaboration with Tanya marks a symbolic and strategic alignment – the woman with world’s largest feet meeting the world’s most ambitious extra-large footwear maker. At House of Avi, we have always believed that inclusivity isn’t a trend or a checklist – it’s a responsibility. Tanya’s journey powerfully represents the very reason we exist. Every woman deserves access to fashion that fits her body, her identity and her aspirations; and we are here to make that a reality. As we move ahead to cater to more of the underserved and ‘forgotten’ demographics who historically lacked representation in footwear design, joining forces with Tanya Herbert shall not only enhance our brand credibility and visibility, but also help us reach the right audiences, reinforcing that an Indian brand can lead the conversation on inclusive footwear globally”.
Founded in 2019, House of Avi was born out of founder Avi Kumar’s personal struggle to find well-fitted shoes while living in Australia. What began as a personal frustration later evolved into a mission-driven enterprise: to end “footwear exile” — the exclusion faced by millions worldwide with larger builds, and all whose feet sizes fall outside of conventional production size limits.
The startup sells its products majorly through its own website, and has gained substantial organic traction over the years, with growing demand witnessed pan-India, as well as from international markets such as Australia, US, UK, Germany, France, and many others. Among House of Avi’s most popular, standout offerings is ‘Avircazz’ – the brand’s modern re-interpretation of the traditional Spanish Avarca sandals, wherein by “Indianizing” the Menorcan silhouette, they have created the country’s first-of-its-kind hybrid footwear: delivering the structure of a closed shoe with the breathability of a sandal.
Notably, every pair of House of Avi footwear is designed for long-term durability and comfort using high-quality materials, and handcrafted by Indian artisans, positioning the brand as a “Make in India” success story. With strong in-house manufacturing capability, a lean business model, and association with an influencer like Tanya Herbert championing inclusivity, House of Avi is well positioned for major expansion and growth in the years to come. As Avi himself puts it, “With an Indian soul, wide sole, House of Avi is now ready to take on a global role.”