Alluring, Bedazzling and Captivating

In light of the article that Rena posted on Monday about the dubious talents of VIP's who may have had very little to do with the whole process of the design process of the shoes they attached their names to, I will just stick with the much more inspiring small independent designer.
Those designers who actually learned the trade, poured their heart and soul into their creations and produce beautiful and original works of art for your feet. Today another treasure from Great Britain.
Victoria Spruce graduated in 2010 with an MA in Womenswear Footwear from Royal College of Art. Her footwear carries a real wow factor. It is fascinating, innovative and highly unusual.

Elizabeth Dunn is new to the world of shoe design. Really new – her SS 2012 collection is only the second one she has issued – which makes the originality of her designs even more impressive. Her first collection was featured in the London Mavericks show at London Fashion Week in 2010. That first collection included this fantastic mary jane with the removable flower detail:




Timeless style

Ms Dunn is a Cordwainers graduate, currently based in East London. She worked as an assistant to Cleo B before designing under her own name.
She says she is inspired by her native North Yorkshire and you can definitely see that in her designs: the sturdy shapes, the muted colors, and the timeless style.

Today three designers for you.

Sandie Jancovek - Agile €295,-

To me it is always an adventure when I read about a new designer. And it is interesting to follow them, see their work mature and to see them come into their own. Sometimes being more bold and sometimes being more refined. Laura Villasenin of Miista.com is one of those designers, who went extremely bold this season for her second collection.

However, today I want to introduce you to three women who have designed some very fine footwear and launched their collections in 2007. It was a good year indeed!

Sandie Jancovek

Sandie Jancovek is a French designer of Slovak origin. She graduated in 1999 from Studio Bercot and was taken in by the house of Chanel as accessories designer.

After three years she moved to Sonia Rykiel and it was there that she started working with shoes. After her apprenticeship years she launched her own collection in 2007, under the name of Jancovek.
Her shoes are elegant yet very fun. The small details and the fine craftsmanship mixed with luxurious materials make these shoes very special.

Stuart Weitzman is the designer who since 2002 has provided a one of a kind "million dollar shoe" to an Oscar nominee that she can wear at the Oscars.
Weitzman's father, Seymour Weitzman, started a shoe factory in Haverhill, Massachusetts, in the late 1950s, "Seymour Shoes" (also sold under the label: "Mr. Seymour").

However Mr. Weitzman Sr. had been dabbling in the shoe design business for much longer. In 1936, Mr. Weitzman Sr. designed a double criss cross T-strap stiletto and had it patented. Unfortunately his proposal never went into production. Seventy five years later the Weitzman Company came across this long lost patented design and finally produced the long lost shoe.  I think it was worth the wait.