Why I Made Luvons: Stylish Washable Slippers. Three Problems Solved.

I didn't set out to start a slipper company. I set out to solve a problem I couldn't stop thinking about. Then I found three of them, all with the same thing in common: my slippers.

Here's what happened.

Problem 1: Ugly Slippers. Every Single Pair.

Whether I was hosting friends for dinner or just going about my day at home, my slippers were always the problem.

Not because they were uncomfortable. Because they were frumpy, clunky, or just plain ugly. I keep a shoe-free home, which means I’m in slippers constantly. And for years, I was embarrassed to be seen in them. I wanted slippers that were cute and stylish, something I could wear with any outfit and leave on when people came over.

That’s not a small thing when you entertain. When people come over, you want to feel like yourself. You’ve thought about what you’re wearing. You’ve thought about the table, the food, the music. And then you look down at your feet and the whole picture falls apart. I wanted slippers with a minimalist, modern style that went with any outfit. Something I could leave on all evening and not think about again.

I just wanted slippers that looked like I’d chosen them on purpose.

I wanted slippers I could leave on all evening and not think about again. That’s it. That was the whole ask.

Most slippers for women look like footwear designed without asking any women. Fluffy to the point of silly, or flat and sad, or shaped like something you’d only wear if you’d genuinely stopped caring. Nothing remotely stylish that also had a rubber sole and could go in the wash. I wanted a minimalist, modern slipper that held its own against whatever I had on that day.

That's what the Devon mule became. A mule with enough design confidence that guests have asked where I got them. The answer that they're slippers is usually the best part.

Problem 2: Slippers Get Gross. And There Was Nothing I Could Do About It.

You wear them every single day. They compress, flatten, absorb everything. And when they're done, you throw them away and start again.

That always felt like a bad deal.

I wanted slippers I could keep. Not because I’m sentimental about footwear, but because I’m practical. A pair of slippers I love should last longer than a season. And the only reason they don’t is because there’s no way to clean them properly.

So I made mine machine-washable. The whole slipper. It goes right into the mesh laundry bag that comes with every pair, into the wash, and it comes out looking like itself again. Not degraded, not misshapen. Clean.

Washable slippers for women aren't a new category. But stylish washable slippers? That gap was real. Most machine-washable options sacrifice everything aesthetic to get there. I didn't want that trade-off, and I didn't think you should have to accept it either.
•    Machine-washable construction, including the upper, sole, and insole system
•    Mesh laundry bag included with every pair
•    OrthoLite memory foam insoles with arch support
•    Rubber outsoles rated for indoor and light outdoor use

Problem 3: Changing Shoes for Every Single Errand

I just wanted to grab a package off the porch. Or do a school drop-off without going back inside to change first. Two problems with that: most slippers don’t have rubber soles, so you physically can’t step outside in them. And even if they did, you’d never want to be caught in them. Every errand, no matter how small, became a decision.

So these have rubber soles. And they look cute enough that you wouldn’t mind running into a neighbor in them. Both problems solved.

Small thing. But if you’ve ever changed your shoes just to walk to the end of the driveway, you know exactly what I mean.

Why the Name Luvons

I named the brand after my kids. Luke and Devon. Lu + Von = Luvons.

The first slipper style is the Devon mule, named after my daughter Devon, who just graduated with a degree in fashion design. She has opinions about everything I make, and well, she’s usually right.

The Francesca loafer is named after my niece Francesca.

This brand is personal. It started on Kickstarter, where it was named a Project We Love and hit its funding goal on Day 1. It was built for women who are tired of settling: frumpy, clunky, or flimsy as the only options.

Who Luvons Is For

You probably keep a shoe-free home, or you wish you did. You're style-conscious but not precious about it. You want things that work and look good doing it. You have people over, or you might, and you'd like to feel like yourself when they show up.

You’ve never found a slipper you’d brag about. Until maybe now.

ELLE Decor named the Devon mule one of their Top Hostess Gifts. Better Homes & Gardens put it in their Mother's Day Gift Guide. Customers say things like "these are not old lady slippers" and "I forgot I had them on when I ran outside."

That's the thing I set out to make. Three problems, one pair.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Luvons slippers different from regular slippers?

Luvons are designed to close the gap between stylish and washable. Most slippers sacrifice one for the other. Luvons mules and loafers are made with premium uppers, OrthoLite memory foam insoles, arch support, and rubber outsoles. They're also fully machine-washable, which is genuinely rare in a slipper that looks like this.

Are Luvons slippers really machine-washable?

Yes, completely. The entire slipper, including the upper, lining, and insole system, can be washed in a machine. Every pair comes with a mesh laundry bag. Cold water, gentle cycle, air dry. They hold their shape and come out clean. Full care instructions here.

Are Luvons comfortable? 

Yes. Every pair has OrthoLite memory foam insoles, real arch support, and a faux fur or faux shearling footbed. OrthoLite is the same memory foam used by Nike, Adidas, and New Balance. The rubber soles flex naturally with your foot. Comfort is built in.

Can you wear Luvons outside?

Yes. Both the Devon mule and the Francesca loafer have rubber outsoles, which means they're built for light outdoor use. Front porch, quick errands, school drop-off. They're not hiking boots, but they're not stuck-inside slippers either.

What styles does Luvons offer?

Luvons currently offers two styles: the Devon mule ($95) and the Francesca closed-back loafer ($110). The Devon comes in five colors including Black Velvet, Camel Velvet, Slate Blue Velvet, Raspberry Performance Silk, and Cream Raffia. The Francesca comes in Ruby Velvet and Black Velvet.

Are Luvons good slippers for shoe-free homes?

They’re designed specifically with this in mind. The combination of rubber outsoles (for quick outdoor steps), machine-washable construction (so they stay clean with daily wear), and a minimalist, modern style that goes with any outfit makes them a natural fit for anyone who lives shoe-free.

Where are Luvons made?

Luvons are small-batch crafted in China, with design and production managed out of Boston. The brand was founded in San Francisco in October 2023 by Ifen Carlson.

Three Problems. One Pair.

I made Luvons because I couldn't find them anywhere. And once I had them, I couldn't stop thinking about all the people who were still standing at their front door, debating whether it was worth it to change shoes. It wasn't worth it. It never was. You just needed a better pair.

Shop the Devon mule and the Francesca loafer at myLuvons.com.