Mimi Plange
Spring has sprung; record-breaking temperatures and the clocks going forward over the weekend, got me thinking its high time I dusted of my strappy sandals, as well as dreaming of adding a few more to the collection. Being able to create that perfect pair of shoes to accessories that perfect outfit is I suspect a dream for many a budding fashion designer; and is one that was realised by fashion designer Mimi Plange, who partnered with legendary footwear designer Manolo Blahnik to create two pairs of custom-designed shoes to accessories her Spring/Summer 2012 collection.   

Inspired by the Himba and Herero women of Namibia; their distinctive traditional adornment combined with the colourful and flowing Victorian style dresses; and an English floral print (circa 1757), the collection entitled 'A Flower in a Desert' features a leather tasselled sandal which pays homage to the Himba women, and an open-toed intricately beaded and embroidered floral bootie which pays homage to the Herero women's modern take on Victoriana. Both styles echo the pastel colours of the main collection which accentuates bold floral prints across beautifully tailored dresses, blouses and cropped trousers. The collaboration has continued onto Mimi Plange's Autumn/Winter 2012 collection, entitled Labyrinth which was inspired by Nordic Forests and is laden with luxury textures. The collection features two round- toed stiletto shoe styles with ankle strap detailing.

Born in Ghana and raised in Southern California, designer Mimi Plange later moved to New York City to pursue her fashion dreams. Starting out as Boudoir D'huitres in 2008 creating American sportswear with Victorian and African historical fashion influences, the brand has since evolved into an eponymous luxury womenswear label, dedicated to exceptional quality, craftsmanship and exclusivity. Mimi Plange is about the experience, taking her customers on a journey into her inspirations and imagination, through designs that are modern and sophisticated, using strong lines and symmetry to illustrate the shapes of the body. 

Armando Cabral
Today is officially the first day of Spring, a day that is beautifully bright and sunny but still with a crisp freshness in the air, however you can not escape that wonderful sense of renewal; colours seem sharper and there is a lightness to everything. Speaking of colours a range of suede loafers by model-turned-footwear designer Armando Cabral stylishly capture the essence of spring...aren't the shades just gorgeous...and they look so soft.

A lifelong passion for shoes, combined with a decade long career as an international model, an academic background in business and an eye for luxury led Armando to create a range of classically styled shoes that embody sophisticated dressing for the modern man. Born in Guinea-Bissau Armando grew up in Lisbon, Portugal and launched his eponymous label in 2009 upon relocating to New York City. Reflective of his personal style developed throughout his modelling career, the resulting shoe designs bring together Armando's personal tastes and modern metropolitan lifestyle; capturing personality, style, quality and individualism.

Armando Cabral epitomises modern takes on classic mens footwear with an international appeal, styles range from casual to smart comprising elegant dress shoes to contemporary takes on the sneaker. The spring/summer 2012 collection also brings some colourful sandals in addition to the loafers. The shoes are manufactured in Italy by master shoemakers and are designed not only to look good on the outside but also be comfortable to wear.

...footwear for the modern man about town

Zoom
As a young woman coming-of-age in mid 90’s Zimbabwe, magazine’s coming in from South Africa like True Love, Cosmopolitan, Fair Lady and Elle helped to shape and influence my dreams and growing identity in the world of adulthood. Typical of girls all over the world, each month my friends and I would buy and share the latest copies, discussing the trends and features in relation to our own lives. At the time South Africa was going through an incredible and much long awaited period of change, inevitably causing a ripple effect that had an impact across it’s borders, and we began to see fashion and images that related to us young women on the verge of our careers. This was the period when Brandy was ‘Sittin’ up in [her] room’, ‘Stella’ was getting her groove back and fashion was rapidly recycling through previous decades whilst taking on a futuristic feel as the Millennium approached and saw the likes of SWV and co sporting 60’s/70’s style influences that had me perfecting a French roll updo with a beehive front! However, as we started earning getting hold of the fashions we saw wasn’t easy unless we travelled or knew someone who was travelling- providing them with torn pages, lists and specific instructions- so we had to be content with replicating them through our local tailors; accessories were a bit trickier to get hold off. I vividly remember seeing one fashion spread with these gorgeous shoes, all strappy with platform heels; and looking longingly at the pages knowing deep down that the chances of getting hold of them were next to zero. There was a rumour flying around town about an outlet on the outskirts of Harare city centre that sold some 'very' nice imported shoes… talk about an understatement! So after hunting it down and walking through the doors I went mental to put it mildly; laid out before me was row upon row of the most amazing shoes I never ever thought I would see. Every single shoe from that spread and then some were lying in open boxes enticing me. Literally hyperventilating I didn’t know where to begin. I was like a child in a sweet shop and cannot describe the feeling I felt of being able to buy what I saw on the fashion spreads, it was a sense of empowerment and needless to say I was a regular visitor to the shop always checking on the latest season styles as I saw them in my magazines.

The shoes that elicited this response… Zoom, and now over a decade later I still periodically take a peek online to see what the company is up to. Being in London I have access to every fashion product imaginable, the only constraint being my budget at that particular time, and when opening up a magazine upon seeing something have the option to go and buy it that very day should I wish. I liken the challenges I faced to the frustrations I have seen expressed by readers who contact me directly, in other blogs and by their readers the world over when trying to get hold of African designers be they fashion, interior or lifestyle products; but this is changing as more retailers and brands set up shop, in particular harnessing the power and reach of online shopping;

...may accessibility and availability continue to get better!

Cobra Society
The latest print issue of Vogue UK has an interesting article on the rise of a new breed of entrepreneur that they’ve called ‘globalists’; trend-setters who combine fair trade principles with business savvy whilst scouring the world for exciting new products that celebrate craft and heritage and marrying them with contemporary styling to create a fresh, modern and exciting product. Amongst the featured profiles was that of Cobra Society’s Alex Davis, whose debut Autumn/Winter 2011 collection of Western style boots with a North African twist was snapped up by Net-a-Porter.

Based in Los Angeles, Alex is inspired by cultures of the world after a time spent ravelling North Africa, Europe and Asia and brings this global outlook to Cobra Society. Alex studied in France, the UK and Morocco and her fashion credentials include an internship at Stella MacCartney. Cobra Society is about bringing beauty, functionalism and heritage together in products for modern stylish women reflecting the continuing impact of diverse global cultures on fashion. Taking an American classic in the Cowboy boot Alex set about feminising it, reshaping the heel and toe. Using Italian vegetable tanned leathers the boots are made in Spain using a special technique called the ‘Good Year Welt’ that is recognised as a high standard of footwear construction, employing the technique of sewing the sole by hand, which allows it to mould to the foot for greater comfort. Along the shaft of each boot are Kilim fabric panels from Morocco, distinctive in pattern, colour and texture. Alex employs 30 women, highly skilled rug artisans from a village high up in the Atlas Mountains. The traditional hand woven fabric means that no two pairs of boots are alike. Perfect with jeans, long skirts or short dresses styles range from bootie to over the knee and Alex is looking to expand Cobra Society's offerings with  a men's line and accessories such as handbags planned for the next collection.

…ancient and classic heritages combined for a modern global style

Rupert Sanderson
I know I said don’t get me started on Rupert Sanderson shoes when I profiled his protégé, footwear designer Liam Fahy; but they found me! I came across the Rupert Sanderson Resort 2012 Shoe Collection on Fashionologie whilst following a link trail; and instantly falling in love with the gorgeous Kibo wedge I just had to pause and have a look at the rest.

An African Inspired collection, Rupert Sanderson’s Resort 2012 is described as the ‘Caribbean meets Kenya’ and sees towering wedges and platforms in seductive shapes brought to life with leathers and fabrics in vibrant tropical colours like pink, turquoise and coral; held together or accentuated with contrasting zig-zag pattern detailing. I can't help but think of the carnival spirit, especially since yesterday saw West London partying to the pulsating rhythms of the flamboyant Notting Hill carnival; the annual showcase of music, song and dance that attracted over a million visitors. 

…shoes designed to infuse you with the vacation spirit

Liam Fahy
I have been drooling over the most exquisite jewelled coloured satin stilettos and platforms from London based footwear designer, Liam Fahy ever since laying eyes on them; those colours what can I say… they are ABSOLUTELY gorgeous; the stuff of daydreams… I love, love, love them!!!

I became aware of Liam Fahy’s work about five years ago, introduced to his name by my sister who was in the midst of organising a Shoe Event and was looking for shoe designers to take part. At the time Liam had not yet produced a collection but was receiving recognition for some cutting-edge and truly innovative footwear designs; that I must admit were also some of the strangest looking I’d ever seen; i.e. the I-Ashi Bionicus below. The futuristic nature of Liam’s experimental designs have carried over into his luxury market oriented creations, seen in elements like mirror nickel detailing that elevate the shoes from being merely cute to full on glam warrior sexiness; perfect for those ready to do battle in the style stakes.

To say Liam’s life is an interesting one would be an understatement; the designer was born in Zimbabwe to an Irish Father and English mother where he grew up on a snake farm amongst sculptors, weavers, painters and musicians; an experience that he credits for laying the foundation for his creativity. Liam went on to study art and psychology in Zimbabwe then took a year’s hiatus from his life, living alongside the Zambezi River amongst the Batonga Tribe, before making the decision to relocate to the UK to fulfill his dream of studying footwear design. After becoming the 2008 Fashion Fringe Shoes winner Liam became the protégé of Rupert Sanderson (don’t get me started on his shoes!); working alongside the renowned footwear designer at his factory in the Emilio-Romagna region of Italy learning the secrets of true Italian craftsmanship and design, after which Liam then went on to produce and debut his own Italian crafted luxury footwear collection in 2010.

A perfectly formed collection of shoes across the two seasons produced so far; I must say I am taken with all the designs, and the fact that both collections have sold out tells me there are some shoe lovers out there who are inclined to agree with me.

Tthe definition of a perfect shoe according to Liam Fahy:
‘A PERFECT SHOE: 
WHAT EVERY WOMAN LIKES TO WEAR 
WHAT EVERY MAN LIKES TO SEE’

…what more can I say except I’m eagerly anticipating what future collections will bring

Aspiga
I've just painted my toenails in the most delicious, sizzling hot shade of fuchsia pink. So vibrant and electric it screams summer, and in the sunlight literally hums against my skin tone; apt given that the shade is named 'Pulsating'. I'm loving the colour just as much as I'm loving the gorgeous and very coquettish looking Cobra sandals by Aspiga. Available in gold, silver, bronze, black and brown they are a perfect match and a very stylishly embellished summer accessory whether peeking out of maxi dresses or coiling seductively around bare ankles. The Cobra sandal with its unique twists in the leather and coiling straps has been one of Aspiga’s best-selling sandals, selling out almost as soon as they get restocked.

The seed for Aspiga was sown by a holiday to Kenya over six years ago, whereby owner Lucy Macnamara fell in love with the country and the hand crafted products; and sort ways to introduce them to a wider audience. Since then the company has expanded rapidly selling summer must-have essentials from sandals, flip-flops and bags to belts, jewellery and kikoys amongst others. Most of the accessories include beaded detailing in glass and diamante beads for shimmering sparkle worked into simple or complex patterns and colour combinations, a skill that can take several weeks to train new recruits to the required standard. Many hours go into making the luxurious leather and beaded products, calling upon the various skills of talented artisans. The leather products are hand crafted using local leather; purchased from a tannery in Nairobi which are then hand cut and hand sewn before the beaded details are then added. The beading can often be a laborious process of sorting and individually threading them onto the thread before being sewn into the patterns. 

Believing in tackling poverty through aid the majority of Aspiga’s products are produced in Kenya by six suppliers; local individuals who have set up their own small workshops employing men and women from the local community. Aspiga stipulates that all their suppliers offer fair wages, good working conditions and generally look out for the welfare of the workers they employ. You can get to know some of the producers through their biographies on the Aspiga website. In addition a percentage of Aspiga’s profits go towards The Brydges Centre; an orphanage situated just outside Nairobi, Kenya that looks after 150 children who include orphans, the destitute, the abandoned, the abused and street children. Providing support through much needed meals, education and spiritual guidance The Brydges Centre has a variety of projects that interested parties can get involved in. 

With a range of collections to choose from, Aspiga's Cobra sandals belong to the glamorous Elite Collection.

…unique twists and turns on the uppers and straps give these sandals that extra special touch
 

Luella
I am on the prowl for a pair of wedges for summer. I covet these knotted espadrille wedges by South African footwear company Luella. I know I could find something similar on the British Highstreet, but that's not the point…I like them. Being a fussy shopper I don't tend to buy on impulse, I'm happy to browse going back and checking an item until I am satisfied and then purchasing, if it is no longer available then... oh well its on to the next thing. 

Passionate about sharing all things shoe related, designer Luella has been catering to the needs of SA shoe lovers since 2005; tantalising her customers with stylish, sexy and free-spirited footwear retailed through her self-named stores across the country and in Namibia. Unfortunately for me these wedges are from last season and given that the Southern Hemisphere is currently in the middle of winter are no longer available - but there's no harm in looking and of course daydreaming!

...will just have to wait to see what the next season brings...