LE CHAUSSURES NAMED IMELDA. SUCH A LA(RARE) HONOUR!

The Imelda 

Mon Dieu! Despite my lax blogging efforts the Despotic Queen continues to collect the accruements of a blogger trice her size and station.

Last week my internal spies at the House of LaRare contacted the compound with the news that rising French superstar and cobbler provocateur, Nathalie Elharrar, has honoured HRH by naming a shoe from her S/S 10 collection after yours-truly.

The timing of the news couldn’t have been better since the Palace was beset by tragic news - that for once, didn’t involve UN inspectors – and my, it (the news) has buoyed my sprits.

It was with much trepidation that I opened the filed marked ‘Imelda’ but thankfully the shoe (above) is neither an haute mess nor a flat.

Of course, if anyone could convert the Despotic Queen’s merciless tongue of tyranny into a wearable (albeit kick-ass) shoe it would be Elharrar – or so I was about to discover.

The Paris based Elharrar who graduated from the Toulouse 'Beaux-Arts' – Art School and the AFPIC, the Paris Technical Centre of Shoe and Leather Goods Design, cites a wide variety of artists including Jean-Claude Forest, Guy Peellaert, David Lachapelle, Helmut Newton and Ellen Von Unwert as her key influences. Another key influence was the burlesque shows of Berlin in the 30's; which according to Elharrar “express wealth, humor and glam”

Whilst the gift of ‘the Imelda’ feels like a Christmas miracle, I soon discovered Elharrar herself is no religious aberration.

With a reputation for being dark and esoteric, I take a look at Elharrar’s CV. Clutching at my pearls, it reads like an encyclopedia of French Fashion. Guy Laroche by Michel Klein A/W 1995/96 collection, Thierry Mugler accessories designer from 1996 to 1999, Lagerfeld Gallery accessories designer from 2001 to 2004.

But it was the Parisian’s most recent work at Paule Ka (2004-2007) that garnered Elharrar both critical and commercial success – her ’07 Plexiglas futuristic platform was a stunning feat of footwear ingenuity - and seemed to channel the spirit of a young Andre Perugia.

Riding this wave of success, Elharrar launched her own luxury brand, LaRare in January 2007.

For the launch, Elharrar drew on her time at Thierry Mugler and created a collection of footwear that, according to the designer, challenged ‘the sullenness of politically correct’ footwear. 

Harnessing her gifted eye for proportion, Elharrar has swiftly established herself as Mugler’s heir apparent and footwear’s new la femme le provocateur.

Talking exclusively with the Despotic Queen, Nathalie says for her S/S10 collection (titled A Sharp Wing Of A Butterfly) she’s remained “faithful to her former inspirations and themes”. She’s quick to follow up that this collection marks the introduction of wooden heels, which the designer states are “well-fitting, which is quite important when you've got 12 centimeter heels!”

Indeed.

Knowing how art and sadomasochism are the backbone of Elharra’s aesthetic, I ask about the ring that features on the under sole of her heeled styles. “That evocative little ring” I’m told, is her trademark and is to resemble a ‘piercing’.

Elharrar remarks how this season she’s mixed several additional themes into her collection, including collaboration with French Jewellery designer, Alice Hubert.

 An unapologetic lover of sadomasochistic references, Elharrar manages to create footwear that, for the wearer, is both empowering and sexually charged, yet her aesthetic never feels forced, or worse, gimmicky.

Elharrar explained how frequent trips to the Museum Quai de Branly provided the genesis for her barbarian themed styles.

 The images of ‘strong and beautiful’ warriors played heavily on the designer’s imagination, deriving inspiration from the “large metal bracelets at their wrists and ankles”. She also reveals the braided and metal ankle cuffs and her choice of warm earthy toned browns, reds and clay were all inspired from the MQB.

An artisan with her eyes wide open, Elharrar explained several styles were inspired by seaweed.

I wanted to ask if she was under-the-influence. Instead I asked “Was ‘the Imelda’ influenced by marine algae?”

I’m assured that the ‘wings of a butterfly’ (ironical since Imelda is also known and the ‘Steel Butterfly’) were the source of inspiration behind the ‘Imelda’.

Phew.

Elharrar remains coy on the subject of growth but she does excitedly reveal that from August LaRare will be available at Melbourne boutique, Loula. 

Start queuing....NOW!

Comments

[Imelda]

I love these shoes!!

[Goji]

Realy beautiful!
I love it.

[Miss Glitzy]

If this collection will be available in August at Loula, some models of the LaRare winter collection is now on sale there... and can be seen on the website. I think the Imelda is actually meant for you!

[Mandi]

Not sure if you've seen Andreia Chaves' work before - the mirrored prism shoes are incredible.

http://www.yatzer.com/2043_the_footwear_concepts_of_andreia_chaves

x

[Prêt-à-Porter P]

how cool!! it's hard for me the choose a favorite. i even like the suede ones with the wooden heels, and i usu dont like wooden heels.

[Landice]

I love the shoes! I'm also wondering how soon I could get my hands on the pair that looks to be made of velvet? because I would never take them off. They're all so very, very sexy.

[mudd shoes]

The design is excellent and the clors are just amazing, perfect work.
mudd shoes

[vipgal]

they are nice shoes!! i really love all the heels shown here, i've discovered a new designer today woohoo!!

[Jenna]

Fabulous shoes and a fabulous posting!