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Cazabat is one step in front of the crowd
By Patsy Yang |
September 18, 2011, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
FRENCH footwear designer Jean-Michel Cazabat describes himself on his Twitter page as a "rock 'n' roll enthusiast, night owl and resident New Yorker." No matter where he travels, Cazabat posts two to three tweets everyday, sharing things that happen in his daily life and his inspirations.
He was excited to post a picture of Sarah Jessica Parker recently wearing his Eloise pumps while promoting her new film "I Don't Know How She Does It" in London. Cazabat's shoes are worn by celebrities and Hollywood stars such as Madonna, Penelope Cruz, Gwyneth Paltrow, Blake Lively, Scarlett Johanssen and Jessica Alba. His distinctive footwear designs have been extensively featured in Vogue, Elle, Bazaar, and many other publications worldwide.
A native of Gascony in southern France, Cazabat has been designing shoes for 25 years. In 2000, seeing an unfulfilled niche in the luxury shoe market, he launched his own colorful, ultra-feminine women's line.
His designs include chic yet refined footwear for business, bold and brazen shoes for night clubs and provocative elegance for every occasion. Cazabat knows how to design a sexy heel. He allows his passions to dictate his design, and uses fiery colors, flirty silhouettes, whimsical details and exotic skins to create distinctive styles.
Cazabat is a firm believer in fashion as wearable art, and on top of it, shoes. His newly opened Jean-Michel Cazabat shop in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, is the first in Asia. Right now, the shop features his fall/winter collection.
Q: You started your career in the shoe industry in the late 1970s. Where did your passion and love for footwear come from?
A: I always had an aesthetic side and liked everything with art. I studied photography but became interested in fashion after seeing photographs of women and shoes. I began my career as a buyer and store manager for legendary French shoe designer Charles Jourdan, working with him from 1980 to 1985. My career led me to New York as president of the distinguished shoe brand Stephane Kelian, developing products for the American market.
Q: What made you start your own brand?
A: After working many years with big companies, one day I wanted to express my philosophy and create my very own styles. I found an unfulfilled niche in the market and started to design a lot of party "happy" shoes: sexy, exuberant but ultra comfortable. It became a success right away.
Q: Your designs look urban, chic, edgy and ultra-feminine. What was the inspiration for the various forms in your collection? How would you describe your design style?
A: Everything in life. It could be a movie, a visit to the museum, a book, a lot of music, nightlife and spirited women. My passion for the good life is translated into shoes. My style is feminine, sexy, comfortable, and with a rock'n' roll attitude. The most important is to have the look and to be comfortable with the look. A pair of shoes is the most important piece of the outfit and it completely makes women feel secure and confident. I love women and I want women to feel happy, comfortable, secure and seductive.
Q: What's the current trend in shoe design? Tell us about your fall-winter collection, and where do you get ideas from?
A: The current trend is the continuity of the platforms, animal prints and medium high heels. In my new collection, you will see inspirations from the 1970s, a big trend of high heeled loafers, elastic materials, lingerie-inspired lace details as well as animal prints. Also, I see the mixed form of pump and bootie as the next big trend.
Q: Who in the shoe industry influenced you the most?
A: I was very much influenced by Charles Jourdan and Stephane Kelian when I started my career.
Q: What type of shoes are most sexy in your eyes?
A: I love shoes that show the toes. You have desire to see more.
Q: Who is your style icon?
A: Yves Saint Laurent is the top of style.
Q: What's next for you?
A: I will continue to broaden the brand's appeal and open more stores in China.
He was excited to post a picture of Sarah Jessica Parker recently wearing his Eloise pumps while promoting her new film "I Don't Know How She Does It" in London. Cazabat's shoes are worn by celebrities and Hollywood stars such as Madonna, Penelope Cruz, Gwyneth Paltrow, Blake Lively, Scarlett Johanssen and Jessica Alba. His distinctive footwear designs have been extensively featured in Vogue, Elle, Bazaar, and many other publications worldwide.
A native of Gascony in southern France, Cazabat has been designing shoes for 25 years. In 2000, seeing an unfulfilled niche in the luxury shoe market, he launched his own colorful, ultra-feminine women's line.
His designs include chic yet refined footwear for business, bold and brazen shoes for night clubs and provocative elegance for every occasion. Cazabat knows how to design a sexy heel. He allows his passions to dictate his design, and uses fiery colors, flirty silhouettes, whimsical details and exotic skins to create distinctive styles.
Cazabat is a firm believer in fashion as wearable art, and on top of it, shoes. His newly opened Jean-Michel Cazabat shop in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, is the first in Asia. Right now, the shop features his fall/winter collection.
Q: You started your career in the shoe industry in the late 1970s. Where did your passion and love for footwear come from?
A: I always had an aesthetic side and liked everything with art. I studied photography but became interested in fashion after seeing photographs of women and shoes. I began my career as a buyer and store manager for legendary French shoe designer Charles Jourdan, working with him from 1980 to 1985. My career led me to New York as president of the distinguished shoe brand Stephane Kelian, developing products for the American market.
Q: What made you start your own brand?
A: After working many years with big companies, one day I wanted to express my philosophy and create my very own styles. I found an unfulfilled niche in the market and started to design a lot of party "happy" shoes: sexy, exuberant but ultra comfortable. It became a success right away.
Q: Your designs look urban, chic, edgy and ultra-feminine. What was the inspiration for the various forms in your collection? How would you describe your design style?
A: Everything in life. It could be a movie, a visit to the museum, a book, a lot of music, nightlife and spirited women. My passion for the good life is translated into shoes. My style is feminine, sexy, comfortable, and with a rock'n' roll attitude. The most important is to have the look and to be comfortable with the look. A pair of shoes is the most important piece of the outfit and it completely makes women feel secure and confident. I love women and I want women to feel happy, comfortable, secure and seductive.
Q: What's the current trend in shoe design? Tell us about your fall-winter collection, and where do you get ideas from?
A: The current trend is the continuity of the platforms, animal prints and medium high heels. In my new collection, you will see inspirations from the 1970s, a big trend of high heeled loafers, elastic materials, lingerie-inspired lace details as well as animal prints. Also, I see the mixed form of pump and bootie as the next big trend.
Q: Who in the shoe industry influenced you the most?
A: I was very much influenced by Charles Jourdan and Stephane Kelian when I started my career.
Q: What type of shoes are most sexy in your eyes?
A: I love shoes that show the toes. You have desire to see more.
Q: Who is your style icon?
A: Yves Saint Laurent is the top of style.
Q: What's next for you?
A: I will continue to broaden the brand's appeal and open more stores in China.
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