COLLECTION PREVIEW

By Lynda Castonguay

ECCO

Spring Summer 2015

Photo courtesy of Ecco

ALEXANDRE BIRMAN: Fall 2011

By Eva Fydrych

Shoe trends for Fall 2011 are as diverse as ever, so every woman can find something for herself. Alexandre Birman's Fall 2011 collection - available at Holt Renfrew - carries his signature avant-garde style and the use of exotic skins. This season genuine python is paired up with the soft, classic elegance of suede. The heels are very sleek and extremely high, giving the shoes a very sexy look. Luxurious and well-crafted, they come in very practical colours. The earth tones and new metallics complement the existing grey colour chart, making it very sophisticated and modern.

Source: Holt Renfrew

Style #1: Multi coloured python and suede cage sandal, $695
Style #2: Black suede bootie with python heel, $495
Style #3: Steel python platform pump, $550
Style #4: Black suede pump with metallic python heel, $450. In-stores September
Style #5: Black leather ankle boot with stingray heel and platform, $750. In-stores September

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Alexandre Birman is Brazilian footwear designer known for his trademark use of exotic skins such as snakeskin, python, crocodile, and lizard.

Born into a family of shoemakers, he worked in his father's factory before launching his own label in 2008. In November 2009, Birman was awarded with the Vivian Infantino Emerging Talent Award by industry publication, Footwear News. He collaborated with a young designer Prabal Gurung for his Fall 2010 collection during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

Website: Alexandre Birman

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CAMILLA SKOVGAARD: Spring 2011

By Eva Fydrych

Discover Accessory Designer of the Year award recipient Camilla Skovgaard's Spring 2011 collection. True to her style, this bold line of footwear is both elegant and edgy, with an emphasis on form, materials and style rather than decoration. Sky-high saw platforms and unique geometric cuts give this collection its coveted stand-out appeal. The combination of contrasting elements such as fluidity and severity, restraint and sophistication, plays an integral part in the character of Camilla's designs. 

Visit your nearest Holt Renfrew to shop Camilla Skovgaard Spring 2011 collection.

Style #1: Ivory leather peep toe platform bootie with saw platform, $575
Style #2: Black suede and leather sandal with ankle cuff, $450
Style #3: Ice blue leather peep toe platform bootie with saw platform, $620
Style #4: Black leather two band platform slide, $540
Style #5: Black leather open toe wedge bootie, $670

ABOUT

Born in Denmark, CAMILLA SKOVGAARD is a BA (hons) and MA graduate in footwear design and product development from Cordwainers shoe college (2003) and the Royal College of Art (2006) in London. Camilla began her career in women’s couture in Dubai at the age of 20 when a French owned company brought her to the Gulf to design for the region’s Sheikhs’ wives and daughters. After 7 years in Dubai Camilla moved to London in 2000 to study the craft of shoe making where her eponymous shoe line took shape during her MA; Saks Fifth Avenue in the US bought her first collection while still a student.

Camilla was awarded Queen Elizabeth Scholar Award for Excellence in British Craftsmanship, London 2007, and voted Shoe Designer of the Year 2008 by public vote on Australia shoe blog Imelda. Camilla was nominated for Swarovski Emerging Talent-Accessories 2009 and for the Accessories Designer of the Year 2010 at the British Fashion Awards, and won the Accessories Designer of the Year award at ELLE Style Awards 2010.

In addition to own line, Camilla collaborated with British fashion house Matthew Williamson for 7 seasons (2005-2009), and continues to collaborate with some of fashion’s most directional and talked about designers.

CAMILLA SKOVGAARD shoes are gaining recognition for their aesthetic fluid-edged style combined with high quality shoemaking. “Intelligent fashionista. Think Arne Jacobsen in couture” (The Times UK). Her emphasis is on form, materials and style rather than decoration. The combination of contrasting elements such as fluidity and severity, restraint and sophistication play an integral part in the character of her design. 

CAMILLA SKOVGAARD shoes is embraced by fashion’s most influential editors and tastemakers including but not limited to Halle Berry, Rhianna and HRH Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece. CAMILLA SKOVGAARD shoes currently has a customer portfolio which includes 176 prestigious wholesale accounts in 33 countries, among which are Saks Fifth Avenue US, Harvey Nichols London, Symphony Dubai, Joyce Hong Kong and Net-a-Porter.com.

Camilla lives and works out of London, Dubai and Hong Kong.

Source: Camilla Skovgaard, Holt Renfrew

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