by Annie Vischer
BIG news. If you thought that Sarah Jessica Parker’s footwear line was the biggest thing to happen to heels since the Louboutin red sole then think again. The biggest shoe designers of the moment have collaborated with Disney to each produce their own version of the fairytale legend that is Cinderella’s glass slipper.
We know.
The designers in on the project include Paul Andrew, Alexandre Birman, Jimmy Choo, Jerome Rousseau, Renee Caovilla, Salvatore Ferragamo, Charlotte Olympia, Nicholas Kirkwood, and Stuart Weitzman.
Considering the rather impractical nature of glass footwear, it was inevitable that Swarovski would get involved. The provided the crystals featured in the designs. The shoes will be available at Harrods.
There’s no way we’ll be leaving any of these bad boys behind when the clock strikes midnight!
All the shoes will be revealed together for the first time in the Cinderella Exhibit at the Berlin Film Festival on Friday, February 13th. Until then all we can show you are sketches of what’s to come.
Here are what the designers had to say…
Paul Andrew
‘Cinderella’s glass slipper represents every woman’s dream shoe. The story, being a classic, inspired me to use my iconic pointed toe silhouette, which I embellished with an array of hand encrusted Swarovski crystals to create the ultimate fantasy shoe. I used transparent PVC to create a ‘glass’ effect and ivory suede for luxurious texture and dimension.’
Alexandre Birman
‘My vision of the glass slipper was inspired by the timeless and feminine beauty that I believe Cinderella and the Alexandre Birman brand both share. I reinterpreted our classic Johanna pump, this time giving it a fashionable and romantic twist with satin and Swarovski crystals. It’s a shoe I imagine a modern princess would wear.’
Renee Caovilla
‘Works of arts called shoes’ to grant wishes and raise emotions. Passion and never ending research don’t draw the line at fantasy and creativity. This is how dreams come true in our fairy tale.’
Jimmy Choo
‘I think every girl desires a Cinderella moment in their lives. This story ignites a love affair and fascination with shoes that never dies. The power they have to transform is instilled from a young age and the fantasy remains alive forever. I wanted to create a shoe that felt magical, with alluring sparkle and a feminine, timeless silhouette evoking those childhood emotions.’ Sandra Choi, Creative Director, Jimmy Choo.
Salvatore Ferragamo
‘The magic of a shoe that turns a woman into a princess and gives her the feeling of walking on clouds is a universal dream. A modern Cinderella fairy tale of rediscovering a soft sensuality and a powerful femininity. A shoe made of transparency and light: the cage heel, an iconic symbol of Salvatore Ferragamo, is covered with Swarovski crystals and is transformed by sparkling impalpability.’ Massimiliano Giornetti, Creative Director, Salvatore Ferragamo.
Nicolas Kirkwood
‘Cinderella has both delicate and strong qualities as a character. The moment of transformation emphasises both and gave me the design inspiration to create a piece that spoke to the film’s magic.’
Charlotte Olympia
‘This transparent platform shoe made with my signature PVC & perspex materials is adorned with star and crystal detailing as befits any princess.’
Jerome Rousseau
‘The stroke of midnight is a wonderful element of the Cinderella fairy tale, it adds tension and intensity to the story. I was inspired by that when I designed this style for Cinderella and the result is a dramatic midnight-blue glitter sandal on a sky-high heel. The clear strap is reminiscent of the crystal slipper, while the refined gold and silver trims add the right amount of whimsy to the design. I wanted to create something that, if left behind, the Prince would feel even more captivated by Cinderella’s allure.’
Stuart Weitzman
‘Cinderella in 2015 has a timeless appeal. The diamond and translucent bootie enhance the vision I have of her.’
Watch the Cinderella trailer here.