All that glitters
From understated elegance to high-impact embellishments, René Caovilla has your FW18 footwear covered
The world’s most stylish women know that mastering the art of impeccable dressing hinges around what you slip onto your feet; building your look from your shoes up is a shortcut to sartorial success. And if those shoes combine timeless elegance with a sprinkling of precious jewels? So much the better.
René Caovilla has been handcrafting its shoes in an atelier near Venice, Italy, since 1934, and takes meticulous care in piecing them together; each pair takes an average of 48 hours to create. The label is truly a family affair – founded by Edoardo Caovilla, it is now run by his son, the eponymous René, who is a veteran of the fashion business and honed his talent working alongside the likes of Valentino Garavani and Karl Lagerfeld. Over the course of nearly a century, the label has fine-tuned its aesthetic to become the pinnacle of alluring sophistication for women across the globe, whether their style is quietly classic or boundary-pushing and adventurous. For proof of the across-the-board appeal, look to its roll call of A-list fans, which includes everyone from Amy Adams and Nicole Kidman to Rihanna and Gigi Hadid.
Given the encrusted nature of its most Instagrammed pieces, you could be forgiven for thinking of René Caovilla as a purely eveningwear affair – if you’re looking for statement-making, red-carpet-worthy sandals, it should truly be your go-to. For FW18, the label has bejeweled the straps of its high heels and flat sandals with enough Swarovski crystals to satisfy even the most ardent magpies, conjuring irresistibly chic shoes that you’ll want to pair with everything from black cocktail dresses to show-stopping gowns.
But make no mistake, the label has your day-to-day wardrobe covered, too. This season, your favorite classic, hardworking shapes – the narrow heeled ankle boot, the flat lace-up boot and the stiletto pump – have been elevated with thoughtfully-placed jewels. A streak of sparkle around the ankle or pearls running around the sole transform them from sophisticated staples to modern fashion pieces. These are shoes that will inject a touch of understated glamour into every part of your new season wardrobe, from your favorite denim and chunky knits to your go-to office attire. Truly no gown required.