May 13, 2008

Postcard from Cannes

Dear Mom,

I'm having a faaaabulous time in Cannes, thanks in no small part to the bronzed locals, endless swirl of parties and, of course, my aptly named Postcard from Cannes high-heel sandals by Elisa Ferare. Handcrafted and super-duper comfortable, they are awesome for strolling down La Croisette—plus I heard that Scarlett Johansson, Halle Berry, and Nicole Richie all own a pair.
I heard that Elisa, a former dancer and sometime interior designer, launched her eponymous collection in 2004 because she could never find what she wanted in luxury shoe market. She wanted to add at least four inches to her 5'4" frame without sacrificing comfort. She started making her dream shoe out of her Hollywood Hills workshop by restyling a platform sandal into her ideal; a brocade-covered five-inch look. "I started wearing them, and people would constantly ask me where I got them," says Ferare. "So I decided to start my own line." Today, her collection of teeteringly high platforms, platform wedges and embellished flats is carried at Jeffrey in New York, Maxfield’s in Los Angeles, as well as several other boutiques across the country, wholesaling for $235 to $260.
Thirties and Forties motifs run through most of her creations. "Even if the fabrics are new, they're treated to look worn," she says. Ultimately, Ferare believes that a beautiful shoe doesn't really mean anything unless it can be worn. Thus, going on the idea that a dance shoe has to be more comfortable than any other, she has the collection hand-made at a Los Angeles dance shoe factory.

Air kisses to you all, and see you in 12 days!

Love, The Stylephile

You can buy Elisa Ferare's designs at Maxfields and Neiman Marcus. Click here for a full list of stockists.

May 13, 2008 in PICK OF THE DAY | Permalink