Shoes
Berny Demore
Brian Atwood
Diego Dolcini
The architect of shoe design
Following a position as creative director at Gucci for men's and women's shoes and collaborations with Dolce & Gabbana, Emilio Pucci and Bruno Magli, it was time for Diego Dolcini to go it alone. A degree in architecture has long inspired Dolcini's attitude to shoe design and his much coveted eponymous line heels are glamorous, structural works of art in themselves.
Giambattista Valli
Fashion superstar
After cutting his fashion teeth as senior designer at Krizia and fashion and prêt-a-porter art director at Emanuel Ungaro, Giambattista Valli was more than primed to launch his own label. By 2005 his creations were striding down the runway on a regular seasonal basis and celebrities such as Penelope Cruz, Mischa Barton and Victoria Beckham were being snapped in them on the red carpet. Flowing chiffon, striking shapes and fearless colours are Valli signatures setting him on an astral path of success.
Gina
Ultimate glamour
Gina was established in 1954 in London by master shoemaker Mehmet Kurdash. His dream was to create glamorous handmade shoes and bags and he named the company after his muse, movie icon Gina Lollobrigida. Designing shoes had been a family tradition since 1893 and today Mehmet's sons, Attila, Aydin and Altan Kurdash are the combined talent who create by hand the lasts and heels, using skills passed down from generation to generation.
Jonathan Kelsey
Missoni
Close knit family
A legendary love story between Ottavio and Rosita Missoni has spawned a fashion empire now three generations and a home-wear line old. The first Missoni collection walked down the runway in 1966 and was celebrated for its unique knitwear and textile patterns. Today this signature style has evolved under the influence of their daughter Angela who designs it and given birth to a perfume range fronted by granddaughter Margherita Missoni.
Mulberry
English heritage
With classic bags such as the Mabel and Roxanne, authentic English heritage leather goods manufacturer Mulberry has become a cult classic accessories range itself in the past few years, under the Creative Direction of Stuart Vevers. Even though Vevers has now departed, Mulberry is looking forward to an exciting season with a new creative at the helm.
Oscar de la Renta
The Oscar of fashion
Following an apprenticeship with renowned Spanish couturier Cristóbal Balenciaga and time as couture assistant at Lanvin in Paris, Oscar de la Renta made New York his home and from there launched his eponymous label which today spans ready-to-wear, accessories, fragrances, cosmetics, home-wear and more. He is twice winner of the CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year and was honored with a CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award in 1990. De la Renta is internationally celebrated for his glamorous gowns and chic daywear.
Piatonna
Seductive style
Pia Tonna worked with such luxury brands as Chanel before launching her own line of glamorous bags in the autumn/winter of 2004. UK based and born to an English mother and Maltese father, Tonna's leather collection, which now spans both bags and a matching shoe line as well, is a seductive combination of English style and Mediterranean spice and spirit.
Pierre Hardy
Footwear maestro
Formerly with Hermés, Pierre Hardy kick-started his shoe career with Christian Dior in 1988, so brings together elements of haute style with a modern flair. Apart from his eponymous line, Hardy also designs footwear for Balenciaga. A celebrated footwear maestro, Hardy is the shoe designer of choice who is called upon by celebrities (such as Nicole Kidman) when they want a bespoke pair of heels to be created for red carpet events.
Repetto
Rupert Sanderson
Colour, patent and heels
Rupert Sanderson is an alumni of the famous London cobbling college of Cordwainers and launched his first shoe collection in 2002. He previously worked with Sergio Rossi and Bruno Magli in Italy and today spends four months of every year in Bologna overseeing the production of four collections a year. Darling heels, clever flats and a fearless attitude to colour ensure Sandserson as a shoe designer to own and watch. Every shoe style is named after a variety of Daffodil.
Sigerson Morrison
The art of design
London born Miranda Morrison (sister of designer Jasper Morrison) and Nebraska-raised Kari Sigerson's eponymous label became famous when they launched the rubber flip-flop with a kitten heel. The girls now both live and design their main line and diffusion range called Belle by Sigerson Morrison in New York.
