I'm getting pretty excited for the Shop One Night event taking place this Thursday night where I will be promoting the Jackie shoe in a never before retailed colourway!
(Read details in my post below)
It has been delicious getting to know the Chaos & Harmony team while we have been nutting out this deal. I had a chat with designer Beks Anderson on her creative process and what exactly goes into designing a footwear collection:
When did your love of shoes begin?
I've always loves shoes, even as a kid. I was inspired by my grandmothers wardrobe where she had racks of clothes and shelves full of shoes and bags. The shoes always stood out to me! She was a very chic lady who loved quality and design, she always looked stunning!
Did you always dream of becoming a footwear designer?
No I loved design and ideas and pulling concepts together, but the dream of becoming a shoe designers only happened in the last 10 years. But as a look back at different jobs and opportunities shoes were always tugging at me!
What does your creative process look like?
It slightly varies each season, but I always start with some questions, like what could be? Is there are a little bit of a story we could tell here? Not so much with the actual shoe and finished product but just looking at concepts from a design focus.
Once we have a few ideas, we start to play around - talk to my team and anyone else that takes my fancy. Then I dive into research, and find images/words anything that inspires me.
When we have a good concept and a focal point, thats when I get into my drawing. I love putting pencil to paper and just playing around. I don't tend to limit myself too much or think about the end result just draw and draw.
Then when things need to become practical, thats when we start to look at how the shoes could be fully formed, we look at leathers, materials, hardware and any other design details plus we see whats happening in footwear trends.
Thats when we get to see the shoes take shape. Its constantly refined down to what we can see working in the market but keeping our Chaos & Harmony design aesthetic!
What are the most important characteristics of a shoe that a consumer should look for when making purchases?
Form and function. You've got to love the look of them first and then when you put them on, they have to feel good. Also know what works for you and your body shape. Not everyone can wear everything but stretch yourself from time to time and try on something new! We've had a lot of tall girls say I can't wear heels and then we get them into some and can't get them out!
Who would you give up a kidney for to see wearing Chaos & Harmony?
Kate Moss,Juliette Lewis, Taylor Tomasi-Hill, Florence Welch, Gwyneth Paltrow - just to name a few!
Top trend for this coming winter in footwear?
It seems platforms and wedges are still going strong. People are loving the height and ease of wearing them, they are always way more comfortable than they look and they make such a statement!
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Stay up to date with all the Shop One Night chatter via the event page on Facebook and look out for sneaky behind the scenes scoop on the night via my Facebook page and Twitter feed!
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Stay up to date with all the Shop One Night chatter via the event page on Facebook and look out for sneaky behind the scenes scoop on the night via my Facebook page and Twitter feed!
