Marchesa launching luxury shoe line

Marchesa is adding a new category to their accessories line: footwear. “We’ve always envisioned Marchesa as a lifestyle brand and including a full shoe collection is an important part of that vision,”Georgina Chapman, one of Marchesa's two designers, said. “Customers and retailers alike have requested we expand into footwear so it’s incredibly exciting to have found a partner who can help us fulfill that goal.”

The partner in mention is AKH Group, the footwear and handbag licensing company headed up by season fashion industry veterans Annelie Hofstrom and Ashley Kennedy, whose current list of clients includes Maiyet, Soloviere, Sarah Flint, O Jour by Giorgia Caovilla, and Cecelia New York. AKH Group has a history of working with some of the best factories in Italy and Spain, so, Marchesa's new shoe collection will be in good hands. Kennedy and Hofstrom work very closely with Chapman and her design partner Keren Craig to ensure that the new shoe line retains the Marchesa aesthetic.

Marchesa entering the luxury shoe market

Craig described the aesthetic as "romantic." The inspiration for the new spring footwear collection is a French garden, with a strong emphasis on themes of stemmed flowers, leaves, birds, birdcages, and rococo architecture. The collection will launch at the brand's runway show scheduled for September 16.

Styles in the collection include flats and high heels made from materials including napa, water snake, python, and alligator. The collection includes the most luxe details, like Swarovski crystals and laser cutting. One particular style of heel even has a laser cut insole.

The collection will hit stores in January with a retail price point ranging from 535 dollars for the espadrille flat to 1995 dollars for the snakeskin peep toe pump. The brand intends to release four collections a year following a traditional ready-to-wear schedule. The Marchesa women better start making room in her closet for these incredibly stylish offerings.

photo:media.oregonlive.com