heaven has heels

HEAVEN HAS HEELS

ISSUE 2holiday 2012

HEAvEnHASHEElS.com

COVER CREDITS PHOTOGRAPHER: Brandon Showers COSTUME DESIGNER: Bao TranchiMAKEUP: Dominic Elias HAIR: Diana Lomelin MODEL: Alison Stepka L.A. Models

GIFT GUIDESo many shoes, so little time closet space.

TO HAvE & TO HOlDOur favorite style experts share what they would

like to give and receive this holiday season.

TOP-TO-TOEWe indulge in top-to-toe shopping thanks to

these multi-faceted design houses.

WISH lISTSee what makes our most coveted.

HOlIDAY SHOPPInGWant to know how your favorite designers shop?

We’ve got the answers and more.

HEAvEnlY HEElS HAKES STYlE

Architect-turned-footwear designer Julian Hakes tells us what it takes to re-invent the heel.

InSPIRED DESIGnLondon jewelry designer, Vicki Ambery-Smith

talks inspiration.

DESIGn HEIGHTSMeet footwear’s up-and-comer Victoria Spruce.

COnFESSIOnS OF A BAG lADY

Anne Agoren reminisces about her first love (in accessories).

HEAvEn SEnTAll the action from the Manhattan launch of

Heaven Has Heels magazine.

SHOE-TASTIC SHOPPInGFrom us to you, with love. Let your fingers do

the walking and nab some of this season’s hottest footwear.

HEAVEN HAS HEELS holiday 2012

coNtENtS

HEAvEnHASHEElS.com

HEAvEn HAS HEElS holiday 2012

Surrounded by so much talent, my greatest obstacle has never been what goes into these pages rather, what I must leave out. I’m constantly being reminded that there is another issue to fill, another post to publish, another 140 characters to tweet and yet, there never seems to be a lack of ideas, coveted designs and inspiration.

In this, our Holiday Issue, you’ll see all the wonderful content we’ve traveled the world to bring you. From New York to Paris, Melbourne to Milan, our team have

worked tirelessly to find and feature the designers you love (and those favorites you are yet to meet).

With exclusive interviews with some of today’s hottest accessory designers—from Julian Hakes to Victoria Spruce—inspiration is only a click away.

We hope you enjoy this issue as much as we’ve enjoyed creating it. From our family to yours, have a safe and happy holiday and a heavenly New Year.

Photo by Stephen ciuccoli

EDITOR’S note

DON’T MISS YOUR FREE ISSUE SUBSCRIBE AT HEAVENHASHEELS.COM

Angela GilltrapEditor-In-Chief

Editor-in-Chief

Creative Director

Photo Director

Features Director

Associate Editor

Copy Editor

Web Design

HEAVEN HAS HEELS is a Lot 17 Media Inc. publication. Copyright © 2012 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited.

Angela Gilltrap

Sophie Marks

James Collins

David Barry

Emma Watts

Amanda Wilkes

Kris Black

COnTRIBUTORSRandy Brooke, Stephen Ciuccoli, Dominic Elias, Krzysztof Kowalski, Diana lomelin,

Misssarajewo, Brandon Showers, Sneed, Dorota Szafranska , Matt Szwajkos, Fiona

Thatcher, Tomaas, Seiji vehara

with special thanks to daniel haim

LOT 17 MEDIA

HEAvEn HAS HEElS

Gift GUIDE


TO HAvE and TO HOlD

RECEIVE: This is a great gift to receive because it’s perfect for girls on the go. I don’t know about you, but I like to be able to spray a little something refreshing after work, before dinner or prior to an event.

GIVE: Direct from Italy, this Oblo Creature Maruja Brooch is the perfect gift for your quirky-styled friends, especially those who love finding exclusive pieces from around the world.

RECEIVE: I would love a new handbag, something rich and exotic that I wouldn’t buy myself. Tom Ford’s Natalia bag in python would simply make my heart sing!

GIVE: Assouline’s Proust Questionnaire in Orange Leather. This beautifully bound book includes well over 100 blank pages for your own guests to fill out and date.

STYLEDON

GIVE: Who doesn’t love Hermès? With it’s iconic Hermès horse motif and red and gold coloring, this bangle is perfect for the holidays. A classic piece that will transcend the seasons.RECEIVE: I’ve recently found myself in situations where I didn’t want to carry a bag, enter the Prada portfolio. It’s a perfect accessory for running around shows at fashion week.

KENTON MAGAZINE

GIVE: I am going to gift the Quintessence holiday candle this year. It’s limited edition from Bergdorf Goodman and smells like that pine-y scent I associate with all things wintry.

RECEIVE: One of my dream items is this limited edition Panerai PAM 395. Panerai owners are a very particular kind because the watches are superbly made and have a heritage in sailing.

HIP

GUID

E

SHK

MAG

AZIN

E

SHOPTIQUES

GIVE: The DKNY Cozy. This is my all time favorite gift to give around the holidays. I don’t know of a single woman yet who hasn’t fell in love with this wear 12+ ways sweater.

ENTERTAINISTA

TO GIVE: A My Little Pony tutu

RECEIVE: The ultimate gift from my wish list this year is the super chic Michael Kors Large Barrington Fur Zipper Satchel. This handbag features panels made of leather and dyed Kalgan lamb.

GIVE: We’re really into sweaters here at Shoptiques. However, it is hard to find a sweater that will be trendy, warm and go with everything. This is our favorite find this season.

RECEIVE: I love that this sweater can be so high fashion with the right styling—from boho chic to edgy-on-trend—the opportunities are limitless.

GIVE: An item I would like to give this holiday season is a Balenciaga handbag bag, in particular, a black Balenciaga City Dots. RECEIVE: Let’s see, I’ve been very much focused on the Alexander McQueen umbrellas for the last two seasons, you know, the one with the skull. That would be my pick.

BLOG

INIT

Y

BLOGINITY

TOP to TOE

Atomflower Skull Brooches OttoneBox Clutch Raso Seta/Ricam Open-Toe Suede Pump in Cherry

Burberry Blue and Grey Aviators

Red Turtle Neck Dress Red Embellished Ankle Boots Red Suede & Leather Clutch

Burberry Brit Eau de Parfum Natural Spray Check Panel Rainboots

BURBERRY

alexander mcqueen

vERSACE COllECTIOn

++

+ +

++


GATSBY EXOTIC

WISHLIST

LONGCHAMP

HOLIDAY Shop

WISHLIST


SWAROVSKISTYlE lARGE BAnGlE

WClick here tosee what kind of holiday shopper you are...

Some people handle gift giving with style and grace while others, well, be prepared for last minute snatch and grabs and re-gifted holiday items. As we make our list and check it twice, we asked some of our favorite designers, fashionistas and trendsetters if they considered themselves organized or chaotic holiday shoppers. You’ll love the answers.

HOLIDAY Shop’ TIS THE SEASOn TO BE JOllY OR IS IT?

ORG

An

IZED

GUCCI shirt; MERCURA sunglasses.


MOnICA BElAG FORMAnPRESIDENT, MAGASCHONIMAGASCHOnI.COM

“I’m lucky to be surrounded by gorgeous gift ideas everyday, so I try to be organized when it comes to holiday shopping. I believe in the gift of cashmere all year round, it always makes me happy to give cashmere hugs to the people I love!”

BRAnDOn SUnCREATIvE DIRECTOR, bRANDON SuN BRAnDOnSUnCOllECTIOn.COM

“I like to think I’m pretty organized with my holiday shopping. I have a list that starts in October, that I check much more than twice. I then do as much online shopping as possible and hit the stores for the ones I can’t decide for.”

AMY SMIlOvIC CREATIvE DIRECTOR, TIbITIBI.COM

“Buying gifts online keeps my holiday shopping organized, I don’t have to worry about going to the post office or wrapping gifts. Personalized gifts are my favorite to give!”

DOn O’nEIllCREATIvE DIRECTOR, THEIATHEIACOUTURE.COM

“Organized! We make a list, figure out what to get and then with a stealth plan move up through the city, neighborhood by neighborhood over one weekend to get it all accomplished.”

STUART WEITZMAnCHAIRMAN & DESIGNER, STuART WEITZMANSTUARTWEITZMAn.COM

“The holidays are a very special time of the year to reflect on, with family and friends. I start thinking of gifts months in advanced as I like to personalize each one.”

GUCCI shirt; MERCURA sunglasses.

AlIZA lICHTSvP GLObAL COMMuNICATIONS,DONNA KARAN INTERNATIONALDKnY.COM

“I’m what I would like to call a last minute, organized holiday shopper. I’m better under buy or die.”

REEM ACRAFOuNDER & CEO, REEM ACRAREEMACRA.COM

“I am very organized and do my shopping ahead of time. One problem, my list is too big.”

vEROnICA WEBBOPENSKY STYLE INSIDEROPEnSKY.COM /vEROnICAWEBB

“I have no choice! I have to be a very organized Christmas shopper with friends and family scattered all over the world! I like to shop exclusively from one or two online destinations because that’s just smart business when you think of the savings on shipping. My favorite site for the foodies, fashionistas and the nesters on my list is OpenSky.com.”

STEvEn lAGOSFOuNDER & CREATIvE DIRECTOR LAGOS jEWELRYlAGOS.COM

“I am a jewelry designer and have an incredible vault in my office. I have no reason to be anything but an organized shopper. My vault is my shopping guide.”

JACKIE FRASER-SWAnCREATIvE DIRECTOR, EMERSONEMERSOn-COllECTIOn.COM

“I would call it organized chaos. I start off with a list: my husband and four kids, my immediate family, extended family members, friends and coworkers. I always end up getting way more for my kids than I mean to and end up having a “wrapping party” aka getting friends to help out!”


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Distinctively original, Julian Hakes created

a demand for his designs well before

contemplating a career in the footwear

industry. An award-winning architect, the

economic downturn put into place a unique

set of circumstances that saw this talented

designer—a bridge design specialist—embark

on a journey to re-create the heel.

“Actually, I was in this exact spot when I

started,” says Hakes. It’s late afternoon in New

York and we’re chatting via Skype; Hakes is in

his London studio where the ‘Mojito’ Heel first

took shape, I’m on Madison Avenue overlooking

the well-heeled strutting below.

“I was originally inspired by the shape of a

footprint in the sand,” says Hakes. “I thought if

those are the two parts where most of the load

is distributed, what is the importance of the

middle section?”

Using his own foot, he wrapped it in tracing

paper and started drawing shapes. “If I could

raise the foot off the ground enough that the

arch isn’t touching, I could design a shoe that

doesn’t need that support.” Hakes drew a shape

that spiraled his toes, wrapping around the

back of his heel and foot and, the Mojito Heel

was born. “When I was done, I looked at it and

thought I’ve never seen a shoe like that before

and I wondered if it might work.”

It wasn’t until several months later, when the

world economy slowed that Hakes

thought any further about his

afternoon experiment.

Heavenly HEELS HAKES STYlE

HEAvEn HAS HEElS fall 2012


“It was a combination of many things,” says

Hakes. “At the time, all of my big clients had

put their projects on hold. Instead of traveling

around the world designing bridges, I was able to

experiment.” And experiment he did.

Hakes took out his designs once more and made

a few 3D graphics of which he published on

architectural website, Dezeen.com. The rest, as

they say, is history.

“It was the first time I’d ever published anything

on Dezeen.com. But later that evening, the

editor phoned me and told me to put my name

into a Google search. I didn’t understand what

he meant, but having spent ten years designing

bridges and buildings all over the world, there

was not a single mention of Julian Hakes

the Architect, it was Julian Hakes the Shoe

Designer.”

Media requests came pouring in from around

the globe but the shoe was still only a concept.

Almost three years later, Hakes has traded

one bridge for another. It has been a long and

challenging road to develop, refine and perfect

the sculptural elements of his design. “I guess

having worked as an architect, I am used to

waiting to see my designs take shape but it has

been a process. We were really learning from

scratch.”

Coming from a different field entirely, Hakes

has never been schooled with what you “can and

can’t do” in footwear manufacturing. There have

been no limitations only discovery, innovation

and experimentation with new digital techniques

particularly with carbon fiber as a key material.

When he discusses his techniques, unique

inventory management and manufacturing

processes he uses architectural examples, his

former field never far from his mind. Perhaps

another reason why he has succeeded where

many have failed.

Today, Hakes has joined forces with an

international manufacturer and distributor,

responsible for some of the world’s top fashion

footwear brands, to bring his designs to life.

Most are produced in a snowboard factory with

price point a very important consideration.

“I don’t want to design a shoe one person can

wear,” says Hakes. And witnessing the buzz that

these designs have created, we’re sure there will

soon be Hakes’ Heels pounding the pavement

on city streets around the world. — ANGELA

GILLTRAP

HAKES.CO.UK


PHOTOGRAPHED BY KRZYSZTOF KOWAlSKI & DOROTA SZAFRAnSKA

MAKEUP & STYlInG BY MISSSARAJEWOFEATURInG KAMIlA lIMAnOWICZ

FROM vOX MODElS MAnAGEMEnT

Casual KICKS

TARASKA dress; H&M necklace and cuffs

BERSHKA blouse; TALLY WEIJL trou-sers; vintage belt.

H&M top;DIVERSE DIY shorts;CUSTOM boots

ZARA jacket and trousers.


What draws you to architecture as inspiration? We all have a connection with architecture from birth. Where we live, perhaps were we work, special occasions such as weddings, holidays, high days and holy days... So the pieces I design make a personal connection between the place and the wearer.

Was jewelry design always your master plan? I went to art school in Oxford—my home town—for one year of Art Foundation (this is the system in England). It’s an opportunity to try out all kinds of art subjects before choosing a three year degree course; life drawing, sculpture, ceramics, photography, graphics & jewelry. It became clear during that year that my skills lay in detailed 3D small scale sculpture.

How do you think your surroundings contribute to your design aesthetic? I grew up in Oxford, which I hadn’t considered as anything particularly special until I

moved to London for my degree course. We were trained at college to draw, then extract design ideas from what we drew. I started on this architecture theme on a holiday trip to Slazberg which struck in it’s similarity to Oxford. 17th & 18th century architecture caught my attention to begin with before I expanded both directions to medieval, Elizabethan (Globe Theatre) and modern (Guggenheim Museum).

When it comes to wear-ability, have you ever compromised on form for the sake of function? Yes, in terms of size and 3D effect (Tromp D’oille). So that a brooch for example, won’t stick out too much, or an item have sharp corners.

What are your favorite materials to work with? I like the combination of silver with different color golds. This allows some emphasis of certain details and also color representation in a figurative sense eg. Red gold for terracotta roofs or brick work. I

WITH JEWElRY DESIGnER vICKI AMBERY-SMITH

sometimes include a gem stone where it might look good, or for a ruby anniversary piece.

To check out more of Vicki Ambery-Smith’s amazing designs click on the web bar below.

Inspired DESIGN

vICKIAMBERYSMITH.CO.UK


TOP LEFT: Oxford Ring; BOTTOM LEFT: Jubilee Brooch; ABOVE: St Paul’s Cathedral brooch

Bilbau Guggenheim brooch

HEAVEN HAS HEELS holiday 2012

DESIGN Heights


DESIGN HeightsVictoria Spruce’s designs merge traditional and experimental elements to create one of a kind works of wearable art, it’s something she felt she was destined to do. “I’ve wanted to design shoes since I was about five years old. My desire to has only increased the older I’ve gotten and the more skills I’ve developed,” says Spruce. “I know it’s strange to know what you want to do from such a young age but I guess I’m just one of those annoying people.”

Utilizing a mixture of synthetic and natural materials—from plastic to leather—Spruce’s design choices create familiar yet original visual contrasts. “I think understanding shape and how something will look on the foot is important,” says Spruce. “The lines need to flow.”

Based out of London, the recent Royal Collage of Art graduate has a keen eye for fashion and a point of view that juxtaposes the concept of hard and soft. “My designs are predominately inspired by shapes and silhouettes found in sculpture and architecture,” she says. “I find it fascinating to take elements of a much larger structure and scale them down to the size of a shoe,” says Spruce. “I think lines and shape are the most important aspects of design so this is where I focus my attention.”

Spruce designs with a confident fluidly that gracefully merges modern technologies with traditional stylistic techniques. Still, even when breaking boundaries, the young designer doesn’t forget about form meets function. “People still need to be able to walk in your creations, compared to a hat or piece of jewelry,” she notes. “It’s slightly irritating that when I design a shoe I need to be completely certain that someone won’t break their ankle due to poor design, but it’s something that you learn as you go along. It becomes natural in the design process.”

In today’s world of heavenly heels, there are a select few footwear “innovators” that have paved the way but no one said re-inventing the heel would be easy.“It has its disadvantages,” says Spruce. “Creating new and innovative designs holds a lot more challenges and higher costs,” explains Spruce. But the pay off, as we can see, is something both unique and original.

With the name “Victoria Spruce” popping up all over the industry and throughout the blogo-sphere, this talented up-and-comer plans to keep pushing the design limits and following her longtime goal. “I guess being a great ‘foot-wear designer’ is something that I will always be striving for,” says Spruce. “You can always pro-duce something newer and better.” — RACHEL ELEANOR SUTTON

vICTORIA SPRUCE TAKES HEElS TO A nEW lEvEl

vICTORIASPRUCE.COM

Out now. The new Lucire. Web, mobile, print, tablet.One of the original online fashion magazines, now available any way you want it.

Find out more at lucire.com and lucire.cc/tablet.

The global fashion magazine

homemen

Copyright ©2012 by Lucire Ltd. All rights reserved. Lucire is a registered trade mark of Jack Yan & Associates. Cover photograph by Courtney Dailey.

Lucire ads A4.indd 2 2012-11-15 4.39:20 a.m.

CONFESSIONSAnne Agoren, designer of Izzi bag and well-rounded London New Yorker, reminisces about her first accessory love affair.

Ever since I was a little girl I’ve loved handbags. I remember that my mother always carried a different bag depending on her mood or her dress. Back in those days every accessory matched, from gloves to shoes, handbags to yes, even fascinators.

I remember when I was so small sitting in my mother’s closet just holding her bags, smelling the leather and stroking the fine fabrics that they were made from, pretending they were mine. Each and everyone was kept in its own separate dust bag which she had professionally cleaned, can you imagine?

Sitting there I used to imagine that I was a chic ‘It’ girl and that everyone was staring admiringly at me as I sauntered along the streets of London carrying my oh so expensive handbag. I’d wander past a mirror and check my reflection imaging my “grown up” life and dreaming of the day I owned my own stylish collection.

My sister, who is nine years older than me, used to make fun and laugh, but in my head I was shouting out, “Mock all you like, but one day they will be mine, all mine. When my mother dies she will leave them all to me.” What a dreadful thought, but I was a child with dreams (thankfully my mother is now eighty-two and still fighting fit).

But why handbags? It’s something I’ve pondered often and in my opinion, it’s because wherever we go, we carry our lives in them. If you’re on the skeptical side, go check your bag right now. I bet you will find everything you need to survive the day—from keys, subway pass, lippy, perfume, wallet, sunglasses, readers, am I wrong? No, of course I’m not. I once had a girlfriend that whilst we were having a cocktail in a swanky wine bar in London, kept sniffing the

air around her saying she could smell something really bad. It turned out whilst routing around for her door keys that on the way home, she found out what it was, a cooked pork chop that she had taken with her that morning in case of an emergency!

But what would you pay for a handbag and what would you give up to own that oh so expensive bag? Even as a handbag designer who loves, loves my own brand, I still wanted to have that bag you know the one I mean, the one that has the craftsman’s initials on the inside strap, the one that most of us menials have to get on a waiting list for nearly two years (the one that Victoria Beckham can put her hands on, in any color of cotton candy she desires at the flick of a well manicured finger nail).

Well, it took me until I was 52 years old to get that bag, I saved for years. And when I could finally afford it, did it give me the satisfaction I’d longed for? The odd thing was, I felt really guilty for spending such an amount on a handbag, I came out in a cold sweat just thinking about what I could have done with that money, how many Pork Chops it would have bought. What were my friends going to say when they saw it? Would they judge me or would they be envious? I actually had the bag some while beforeI plucked up the courage to take it for a walk. That is not to say I hadn’t carried it around my home, wandering time and time again past my full length mirror just to see what it looked like on me. I may be a little older and a little wiser but some things never change. — IZZIBAG.COM

of a Bag Lady

lAUnCH PARTY

Hosted by The Jimmy Rooftop Bar at The James Hotel in downtown Manhattan, fashion’s finest gathered to celebrate the inaugural issue of Heaven Has Heels Magazine. The first event in the New York Fashion Week calendar, Cupcake Vodka and Perrier were on hand to ensure guests toasted in style while Swig Social and fashion photographer Randy Brooke captured all the action.

To check out more from the party click here.

Heaven Has Heels’ Angela Gilltrap with Derek Warburton

Joseph Ungoco and Reiva CruzeMichael Antonio Pumps

The view from The Jimmy

HEAvEn SEnT


Alicia Oliveri, Jessica Abraham, Casey Kettleson, Jennifer Heal

Amanda Jennings and Alexander Patino André Supa and Julia LangKebra Hutton and Benjamin L. Setiawan

shopOur editors have traversed the globe to bring you the best in designer footwear. From Sergio Rossi to Stuart

Weitzman, let your fingers do the walking.


SERGIO ROSSI

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HEAvEn HAS HEElS fall 2012

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