Best foot forward
Roger Vivier, the French luxury accessories maison renowned for its original footwear, gives boots and sneakers its signature style
Drawing on the French maison’s rich heritage, Roger Vivier’s creative director Gherardo Felloni celebrates the brand’s time-honored signatures for FW19: silhouette, color and rarity.
Born in 1907, Monsieur Vivier’s legacy lies in his ground-breaking designs, and his genius has left an indelible footprint on fashion history – he introduced unique styles such as his curved ‘Choc’ heel in 1959 and the ‘Virgule’ (comma) heel in 1963. In fact, he was known as the ‘Fabergé of footwear’, as some of his creations are considered works of art, exhibited in the world’s most prestigious museums.
Since taking the helm in 2018, Felloni has brought his own innovative touch to the maison. Drawing on the 90’s punk-rock vibe that has reigned the runways in recent seasons, he designed the new Viv’ Rangers boot, which captures this rebellious mood but gives it a sophisticated edge. From the luxe velvet laces to the iconic metal or crystal buckle, they add a polish to punky leather biker jackets and acid-wash denims.
Practical yet pretty, unapologetically glamorous and effortlessly cool, these are boots you can stomp around all day in, then head straight out to a dinner with friends. Their versatility means they will work with everything from skinny jeans and an oversized knit to a black slip dress. On weekends, pair them with khaki shorts and a loose-fitting T-shirt, tucked nonchalantly into the waistband, for a classic model-off-duty look.
Returning this season are the highly coveted Viv’ Run sneakers – the maison’s first-ever running shoe. Tapping into our need for comfort and luxury, these are not to be restricted to gym floors and running tracks, but have been designed to complement your everyday wardrobe while lending a cool, sporty edge to your style. “Sneakers have evolved from being just sports shoes,” Felloni says. “Now, they signify the lifestyle of modern women.”
Handcrafted in a mix of high-performance materials, they blend a couture approach to design with a street-culture aesthetic – the chunky sole features a sculptural 7.5cm hidden curved heel, inspired by Monsieur Vivier’s ‘Choc’ heel. With plenty of color combinations, including a monochromatic palette of black, white and silver, these chic sneakers are decorated with the maison’s signature buckle (which is either crystal-embellished or in a minimalist rubber) in lieu of shoe laces, and have already become cult pieces with fashion editors and influencers the world over. Wear yours with a slip skirt to stylishly dash between meetings.
The Roger Vivier name has long been a go-to for some of Hollywood’s most discerning tastemakers. Mirroring the maison’s history for dressing fashion icons including Jacqueline Kennedy and Grace Kelly, celebrities such as Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lawrence, Margot Robbie, Amal Clooney and the perennially chic maison ambassador Inès de La Fressange are just some of the Vivier women of today. It’s easy to see why a pair of Roger Vivier shoes – whether they’re heels, ankle boots or sneakers – will lend an effortless elegance to any ensemble.
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