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Thursday, July 12, 2007

Shoe Designer...

 I like to throw in the odd picture of shoes here and there in a post.

The Paris METRO is always a good place to steal shoe shots.

Or just window shopping late at night...
 
I spotted a decorative Indian pillow case and decided it would make a good espadrille.When the orders piled in, the problem was where to find more of the same mirrored Indian pillowcases.
and designed a "Fred Astair" group.

The shoe company had offices in Florence (a palazzo on the Arno) and Alicante, Spain, so it was a constant diet of pasta, paella and shoes. Tough choices.


I'm still keeping my eyes open for new shoe trends and details. I spotted this sign in a Marais shoe shop last trip for "BRONX" shoes.

 Paris feet, at the 2006 art show in the Jardins du Luxembourg.

Six months later I met someone at the tennis club who asked me if I'd like to design shoes in Europe. Soon I was attending shoe shows in London, Paris, Bologna, always keeping my eyes open for new trends and details. I found a vintage man's oxford in London I used as inspiration. Part of the job description was keeping your eyes open at all times for new trends and details. A friend heard of a design job on the Bowery, so I ran to Pratt, to took a one-week pattern making course. This shoe put me on the front of Footwear News. I found an Indian embroidered pillowcase with mirrors 

And I'm not just talking chocolate shoes by Jean-Paul Hevin either.

22 comments:

  1. Wow Carol! You've posted some amazing things that you have done, shoes too? Your dream-like resume goes on and on... I love the Fred Astaire inspired shoes! Cheers! Heidi

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  2. Anonymous7:24 AM

    Carol...Is there anything you haven't done? :) You have been mighty busy!

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  3. Your life is so fascinating! I love these stories.

    But I know you have MORE TO TELL, so quit being cagey!! Maybe we should all start clamoring for the Full Story about a Certain Event. ??

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  4. that Gypsy shoe is beautiful. You're very talented

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  5. Love your Gypsy shoes.too. What a great idea!
    You are so versatile! In the midst of my art education I decided that I wanted to design fashion so I applied to FIT in NY and got in- three weeks there and I dropped out! I was too much of a fine. artist ;)
    Love your life's stories and the fact you have been involved in so many things- makes for a fascinating person!

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  6. Anonymous8:47 AM

    All great, but Being a Princess is So today is my fav!

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  7. Anonymous9:09 AM

    You are a "step ahead!" Always marching in a good direction. Full of imagination and creativity.
    Shoe design, how clever you are! WHat a wonderful life, rich texture, color, taste and adventure! Do tell more!
    (ps....you know how to knock are socks off with such stories!)

    I want your life!

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  8. Anonymous9:41 AM

    CHocolate, CHampagne, CHefs, now SHoes...
    I love your chatchkas.
    What else in your chapeau, magician?

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  9. I have a lot more stories to pull out of my chapeau and up my sleeve.
    Soon...soon :)

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  10. Anonymous9:48 AM

    Shoes are for me like Barbara Stanwick in Double Indemnity ;D
    An addiction!
    And I´m sure that the one who´s wearing the "Spanish writing" shoes is the same person who walked dressed in white sous le ciel de Paris...

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  11. Anonymous10:57 AM

    Loving the feet in the Luxembourg gardens. Great shot. I enjoyed seeing the drawings of the shoes, and I do remember you saying you'd done shoe design in the past. Who doesn't love shoes, I say!? I also saw that tiny little photo of Mama Leone in one of those shots--I remember eating at Mama Leone's--is that still there in NY? Too funny...brought back memories. Fun post.

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  12. you use to
    DESIGN SHOES?


    get out!

    did you make them out of chocolate?
    out of broken china cups?
    while seated at a small cafe?

    get out!

    :-)

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  13. Anonymous11:37 AM

    AMAZING!! What ever will take your Fancy next !?..One can only wonder. You do keep amazing us.
    Cris in OR

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  14. Anonymous12:49 PM

    I agree with Blame It On Paris--spill it, Carol! I love reading these little snapshots of what is clearly a charmed life! La vie en rose, for sure.

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  15. A shoe in for putting your best foot forward as always.
    Love Jeanne

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  16. Anonymous10:57 PM

    I always enjoy your posts because it brings me to Paris, but you also have a knack for the artful excursion that just seems to link into the french thing too...
    so enjoyable to be a part of.
    I agree with all the other comments... you designed SHOES TOO!! Keep sharing, because those of us 9 to 5'ers love to live vicariously!

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  17. A shoe designer too??!! I love the Gypsy shoes! What next? Butcher, baker, candlestick maker? ; ) You are quite the Renaissance Woman!

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  18. How did you manage to land all these sweet gigs?

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  19. I so love shoes so this post suits me just fine! hugs NG

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  20. I love that Fred Astaire group. I love a fashionable brogue. Very English.

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  21. Anonymous11:25 PM

    Shoes...incredible. We've got to get together...I've photos from shoe museums here and there...and a few that I've made myself...I had no idea...

    Coming west anytime soon??

    Meilleurs voeux!!

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  22. Full Story About A Certain Event???

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