Sole Sister Sunday: André Perugia

The designer looking for the perfect size among his 100,000 lasts (1951)

Long before Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik there was André Perugia. He was the first "celebrity" shoe designer.  born in 1893 to a shoemaker father he wasted no time joining the family business by opening his shop at age 16. He began creating unique shapes and introducing a new heel that exceeded his fathers artistry and price points.

He used unusual materials for his custom creations and high society women flocked to the French Rivera were dazzled by his designs.  The world famous couturier Paul Poiret assured his success and hired Perugia at the end of WWI. 

He transformed Josephine Baker trademark turban into a quilted kidskin sandal (AKA "The Turban Sandal - 1928 which is also MY personal FAV!).

Jospehine Baker in costume Ziegfeld Follies 

Turban Sandal, 1928

"Homage To Picasso" 1950 

He continued to experiment with unconventional material, shapes and adornments throughout his career. His career spanned 50 years and associated himself and worked for (with) I. Miller,Charles Jourdan, Jacques Fath, Hubert de Givenchy. He also worked alongside Elsa Schiaparelli in the 1930's.   

Heel-less Shoe 1937

In his book "From Eve to Rita Hayworth" - A collection of psychological portraits he theorized that the way to discover and unmask a woman's personality was to study her feet.

1931

Patent 1956 Shoe Design

He was known for "talking to his shoes" as he created them and earned the badge of eccentric along with genius as many great artists do. He was a technical genius and a true innovator for the Sole Sister.

Corkscrew Heel 1952

The designer passed away in Cannes France in November of 1977.

1958 | André Perugia helps Jerry Stutz
(president/director of NY's Henry Bendel
and former I.Miller vice president)

IMAGE SOURCE: http://www.ipaddock.it

"The wealthiest woman in the world could not pay me to make her an ugly pair of shoes"

Source: Book: p. 46 Shoes - Linda O'Keeffe

Sole Sister Sunday: Adriano Diamante

Enchanted Peacock

Every day I awake to new followers on Twitter and marvel at how it has made our world a whole lot smaller and has brought forth some of my most amazing connections.  This is the case with Shoe Designer Adriano Diamante. I noticed her following me on Twitter and I immediately had to check out her site! and to my pure delight it was full of amazing shoes and handbags.  All dripping in Swarovski crystals, sparkle and GLAM.

She is a New York based shoe designer and the Diamante collection is definitely one to behold.  The collection has all the elements I love; the pieces are unique, can be customized, vibrant, bold and STUNNING!

Enchanted Peacock Bag

In her own words "In a world where it's easy to shine while walking among the many bright lights, It only those who find a way to shine in the dark, that truly make an everlasting impression. This is my inspiration"

I had an opportunity to chat with Adriano recently about her collection.

The Designer

LG:   Where did your inspiration come from to start designing shoes with Swarovski elements?

AD: I always tell people my inspiration came from the simple desire to have something that did not already exist.  I was in need of a sapphire blue stiletto for an event I was attending last summer. I wanted something that sparkled! After an extensive search for the perfect shoe, with absolutely no luck; I decided to design my own. I went through a lot of sketches before I decided on the British Beauty design.  The first British Beauty was done in Australian crystals, I still have that pair for keepsakes…lol, but the crystals did not quite catch the light as I had envisioned. After visiting the Swarovski in London, I quickly knew the shoe had to be done with Swarovski.

LG: What was your first design? When did you start your creative journey?

AD: My first design was the British Beauty which I designed in April of 2011. Once each one of my designs is sketched; I then digitally create the stone placement on a computer program. A lot goes in to creating an Adriano Diamante shoe. Each sketched is scanned, and then I break it down into Swarovski stones. Each stone placement is extremely important in creating the design. I put a lot of thought into where each stone should be placed to assure the shoe has a continuous flow when the light hits it.

British Beauty

LG: Are the majority of your designs platform heels? Why did you choose this style?

AD: A majority of my designs are done on the closed toe platform because this is a very popular shoe shape. I chose this design because the shoe style gives me plenty of room for my creativity to flow with the Swarovski stones. However, I do offer sport shoes, low wedges and some peep toes when custom ordered. I love love the higher heels. I even offer a 7 inch platform in my collection. However the lower heels are just as fun to design.

Butterfly Magic

LG: Are your shoes made to order? what is the availability?

AD: Yes, my shoes are made to order. Mainly because most of my shoes are purchased for a specific event or dress, so I get a lot of request to change colors in the design. I love for women to feel they have something made specifically with them and their event in mind. I communicate back and forth with each customer assuring the perfect fit and color for their shoe. I carry them through the whole process until the piece is complete. I keep different shoe molds stocked, so once ordered it is just a matter of sketching and digitally creating the stone placement. Once that is done the shoe can be completed in 7 days.

Bridal Collection: The One

LG: Who / What inspires you?

AD:   I take inspiration from everything around me, but mainly nature. I love the mixture of earth tones. A scenic view such as a Dubai sunrise can set off my creativity.  Even smells can inspire me, for example when I smell lavender I run to sketch a design using different tones of purples.

Cheetah Black Bag

LG: If you could give women one piece of style advice , when it comes to shoes what would it be?

AD: When it comes to picking a shoe always dare to be bold. I love shoes that make a statement. A bold shoe can completely change the look of an outfit, but it can also change the attitude of a person as well.

 

My 2 FAV's from the collection: The Enchanted Peacock  & British Beauty  (Size 9 please)

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Blue Ocean