Why are you interested in collaborating with aeyde?
I loved the idea of putting my mark on a brand that I love and buy myself so when Luisa, the founder, approached me about working on a capsule I immediately said yes. The brand has stood out to me since it first launched. It succeeds at what few achieve: to create classic pieces that stand the test of time, but edgy enough to not be boring. Shoes are such a tricky item when it comes to being more eco-friendly, because on the one hand you need them to be functional and comfortable, but they also are the building block of an outfit. The right shoe will make or break a look, so it's important to invest in pieces that are versatile and suit many occasions while never having to compromise on your strong silhouette. My challenge was to design pieces that I would want to wear for many moons to come, but that also feel fresh and cool.
What does duality mean to you and how is the moon linked to that?
I see duality everywhere. It is part of who I am. I grew up between two places that both feel like home. London and Paris are so close — a short train ride from one another — but offer such different perspectives when it comes to dressing. I love the French effortless approach, and am also in love with English eccentricity. I think it's ok to want to be both. I like to think it's the same as the moon that comes and goes, that affects our emotions and our behaviour, but which you can’t control. Our identity is something we all have access to and yet it remains a big mystery. I feel that our many moods and personalities should be reflected in what we choose to wear. This is why it was also important for me to create pieces that could be worn in so many different ways, and would suit lots of types of women. We are who we are, and our clothes play a huge role in reflecting that.
What was the most exciting or challenging part when it came to designing a collection?
The Covid-19 crisis made it impossible for us to meet in person. This was particularly hard as I have never designed a shoe before so had to work twice as hard to make sure we were all on the same page and getting all the details right via Zoom. The team was extremely patient, teaching me the ropes and helping me understand what could work and allowing for us to tweak until the very end of the process. I’m no expert on sustainability, but it was also interesting to factor in being eco-friendly at every stage of the process, from the packaging, to the dust bags to the choice of the leathers. In a way, the fact we were not able to travel to create this has kept the carbon footprint of this collection lower than it would have been, so that’s definitely a silver lining.
What's the inspiration behind the design of the shoes? Is there anything that you'd like to share?
Each shoe has its own personality. I really wanted to design a chic loafer that you haven’t met before. She's the intellectual of the bunch and was born out of my sudden desire to have something comfortable to wear at home that wasn’t my slippers (my slippers and I are divorcing). The white boot is the flirt, inspired by one of my style icons, the one and only Sharon Tate. I have always loved white boots but it’s very hard to find a pair this height (neither low nor high), which is the secret to capture that 60s vibe and makes for an absolute killer silhouette when worn with a skirt… although they also look amazing under jeans. Again, versatility was so important to me. Last but not least, the cowboy-inspired boot is the tomboy of the family. They will give any look a bit of an edge. Plus, the white detail is a nice upgrade from your classic black boot.
I wanted all three pairs to reflect the many aspects of our personality (again, this idea of duality). For the campaign shoot, I challenged myself to use only vintage pieces or sustainable brands from my own wardrobe. I wanted to inspire women to play around with the pieces they already own (we all have a denim shirt and jeans) but also show you how to take these shoes from day to night. My challenge this year is to really increase the lifespan of every piece I bring into my closet and I hope I can encourage others to do the same. I hope you love the collection as much as I do and can’t wait to see what version of yourself the shoes bring out in you!
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