Brazilian designer Mari Giudicelli was a regular face on New York’s fashion circuit long before she launched her eponymous line of women’s shoes. As a muse for cult fashion designers Maryam Nassir Zadeh, Eckhaus Latta and Ulla Johnson, she seemed more like a friend who was casually hanging around trying on clothes than a traditional model. The mules and loafers she now designs for her shoe line have the same understated appeal. But behind the scenes, Mari is hardworking, practical and caught perennially in the juggling act of a young entrepreneur.

You manage all aspects of your business, on top of occasionally modeling for other designers. How do you balance everything?

Working on all aspects of the business was really valuable when I started out, because it allowed me to build the ...