LUXURY SHOES ON THE MENU
601 West 26th Street, NYC
Words, Images Judith Ecochard
A tasty food inspired collection by Creative Director Joy Chen Kolterman--- tempted savoury types at her Fall 2010 footwear preview--- that was literally on the kitchen table and or at the café…
Seriously, feminine and labor intensive handmade details, buttery smooth leathers, and construction ingredients that are a secret recipe--- all get in the mix of delectable kickers---
Inspired by a chocolate box/
Bons Bons .
Perforated leather with a sweet...
Pasta/ Rice/Linguine….
Salads, Cookies and Pie Crusts on the pumps…textures are amazing.
We thought ---how witty, a translation from artistic concept to elegant reality…with culinary influences wonderfully rendered in luxe materials, rich hues, striking graphics, and custom molded outsoles---
“I love to cook and I watch food programs,” Chen told us.
“I bought the cookie cutters and I tried to put everything together in the designs.”
From the abstract whimsy and beauty of her thoughts, to functional practical applications---in the actual design of shoes---that of course, sophisticated women will want to wear…
It all works.
Even the packaging resembles recipe books and the tissue paper is in a cookie shape---“that connects the whole thing.”
TOP PICKS:
We loved the cold weather staple that's---“a variations on a cookie cutter”---a snow boot –wedge heel-with a spring instep for comfort.
Joy Chen (Café) selections are more accessibly priced (about $280-$350) but embrace a similar concepts …via cut-outs, metallic accents, bows, and resin ornaments.
There is a continuation of that terrific basket weave we saw from last season…
And as always, there are the custom lasts, specific constructions and unique hardware that make anything “Chen” special.
…and a candy theme in the kids’ kickers. Fun.
Chen herself has a graphics background and is always one of our favorite designers to chat with---as she has strong ideas on how to support the structures of her shoes---and a distinctive and instinctual sense of color and silhouettes.
Shipments are in August 2010
INFO: http://www.glorychen.com
(FYI: Two eponymous boutiques---in SF and NYC)
.