CHIC AFFORDABILITY + QUALITY FROM THE MAKERS OF THE UPSCALE “IT” COLLECTION- “RICKARD SHAH”
Text, Images by Judith Ecochard
June 3rd, Sixth Avenue NYC
We are LOVIN' these elevator chats.
We met the affable Jennifer Jann on our exit from Hollywould’s Cruise Preview yesterday-and immediately penciled in an appointment to see her latest love of elegant peds, Valea Firenze.
A few hours later, we entered a spacious light filled photographer’s studio and BOOM- we immediately got a mad crush on a pale lemon yellow (a color we’ve seen no where else) shiny patent open toe sandals with cross over straps punched with dot cut-outs. Ahhhhh-now all's right with the world.
Well at least in that moment.
Valea Firenze is the second, gently priced (under $300) line from the talented gurus and fashion veterans behind the under the radar celeb darling (Jessica Alba, Kate Winslet) Rickard Shah shoe collection. With 100% Italian materials and construction (soup-to nuts)-Valea Firenze is perhaps the only brand we know of that-at these price points-are still lovingly crafted in Italy by seasoned cobblers.
As the engaging co-owner Binith Shah gushes, “...we are very proud of this collection.”
A few groups of similarly inspired offerings that got our hearts a
beating are...
A Black and White collection- that’s very graphic serves up dynamo closed toe platform with studs…and a pointy toe Court shoe.
And a second bunch a transition Spring group that introduces “super brights"- but not fluorescents- like a creamy orange and lime with contrasting heel colors…plus a sexy leopard print lining (insole)…"because it’s the little details that matter.”
For Spring 2009, Shah is looking for the resurgence of the classic rubber sole Boat Shoes in updated colors and cuts.
He also proudly showed us a scrunchy, rubber bottom espadrille in our favorite color, turquoise that he and his co-owner wife Elizabeth Rickard conjured up as a packable, comfortable and stylish shoe solution to take on travels.
Mocassins and ballet shoes with signature Valea Firenze buckles or floral flourishes- are still popular, though like us, Shah prefers a heel.
Fortunately, Valea has several cuts that will fulfill any women’s lust for height with heeled court shoes with fringe details, peep toe wedges with gold tone rivets, and sexy multi colored patent sandals with caged uppers.
Absolutely Delicious, not blingy, stand out visual details- and as Shah observes:
Our shoes really come to life on the foot. Our clients get it.”
Retail: For now, Nordstom’s but we think this is a break-out collection.