Above photos taken by me.
I first met Charlotte Dellal, the incredibly talented London-based designer behind Charlotte Olympia, last September after the House of Holland show at London Fashion Week. I was photographing a friend of hers outside the venue, when she joined and I took pictures of both of them, while we bonded over our matching oversized hair-bows and Minnie Mouse before a fleet of street style photographers came in for the snap. Charlotte is a knock-out herself, with an incredible sense of style (check out the Vogue UK gallery on her personal style for further evidence). From that moment on - I became obsessed with her shoes and accessories, anxiously awaiting new additions to her collection, with their part cheeky and part old Hollywood glam personality. It must have been kismet because this past fashion week when Charlotte Olympia previewed the Autumn collection, my friend Briony twitpic-ed a photo of the FW11 Kitty shoes to me, (swoon).
Her amazing (and often knocked-off) fruit salad/ Carmen Miranda shoes are easily the most recognizable from her line, and also the perfect example of her architecturally savvy and whimsical design sensibility. I think my biggest problem with her pieces is being able to pick a favorite (impossible!) which makes finally buckling down and deciding which pair to invest in extremely challenging; even her stockings and signature earrings are calling my name. I suppose from a designer's perspective, that is a really good problem to have.
What do you think of her designs? Do you own a pair of Charlotte Olympia shoes, or is there one you're particularly lusting after? If nothing else, I encourage you help me decide on a pair for myself, (any pair, any season)! I'm determined on taking a pair home as a souvenir from her Mayfair boutique, whenever I find myself in London again.
PS: Thank you to TeenVogue.com for featuring me!
The wedges are incredible, they look like they come from a Tim Burton film! Congrats on the TeenVogue feature too of course :)
ReplyDeleteFricking amazing post! i love the designs also <333
ReplyDeleteI dream of one day owning a pair of her shoes. I say get the wedges! They're AH-MAYZING!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Her leather shorts are lovely. It's hard finding nice high-waisted leather shorts in my size. D;
J'adore les escarpins rayés ! Elles sont SUBLIMES !!
ReplyDeleteomg, LOVE the shoes! <3
ReplyDeleteDefinitely get the first pair!
ReplyDeleteshe stole my hairstyle. i'm just saying.
ReplyDeleteAfter looking at the first pair, I wish I did own a pair of her shoes! Her designs, colors is just amazing!
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i La-La-LOVE your blog! great post
ReplyDeletehuge fan too! don't have a pair of her shoes YET! always wanted those bananas shoes! we cannot buy them in belgium, so i have to buy them online or in nyc! the thing is they are way more expensive in nyc!
ReplyDeleteOk, we're supposed to pick just one? HOW?! I'm a total shoe whore and they're all so different and...and...leaving one behind might make my head explode.
ReplyDeleteLOVE this post (sorry, I might as well just have a copy and past function for all my comments on your blog this week - but I'm giddy with excitement at all your posts!!). Absolutely cannot get enough of her shoes either, although I don't yet own a pair myself yet (partly price, partly sheer impracticality - not that this normally stops me). Her mega-exclusive A/W tea party was definitely one of the highlights of LFW in February for me. It was held in this teeny, but so exclusive it hurts private members club in Mayfair (which looked just as you imagine a Mayfair members club should look) - with the collection displayed on bookshelves, perched on tapestry sofas next to the model-esque guests, on the bar next to the free-flowing cocktails, and in glass domes next to tiers of cakes and sandwiches. Upstairs was a tiny theatre that played this murder mystery on loop. Just the most magical night (in fact, I'm going to bring you the Tatty Devine+Charlotte Olympia dagger necklace that was in the goody bag - I think you'll love it!).
ReplyDeleteP.S. Sorry for my essay-length comment. P.P.S. Thanks for the mention!
Briony xxxx
I really liked the architectural quality of the paloma... but for some whimsy I vote for the currently on sale mercury. They are all lovely though... On a side note.. Where did you get the full sequined paneled skirt you see for just a moment on Gabi's/your closet visit video?
ReplyDeleteThanks.
LOVE the wedges with the gold sections, stunning!
ReplyDeleteRianna xxx
Lovely post. Great designs alas very pricey. I must say, I loved the studded heels in the video.
ReplyDeleteI'm a relatively new reader of your blog, and I just wanted to say that I
ReplyDeleteam inspired by both your style, and your passion for aesthetics. My own
work as a blogger has been definitely influenced by the wonderful posts
I find here. Thanks.
I love her shoes. I think she is a genius. So pretty, and bold as a shoe should be.
ReplyDeleteOK, why are those striped wedges not on my feet right now?!
ReplyDeleteLoving those suede striped pumps. Whenever I splurge on a pair of shoes, they're either iconic and a little crazy, or they are staples I wear all the time. I'll say those red/pink numbers are some of the former. Thanks for visiting the Escape Artiste, I appreciate it! Been reading your blog for quite some time.
ReplyDeletewow those shoes ARE amazing! http://darcybot.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteshoe sex, pretty much.
ReplyDeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteHere shoes are incredible! I love how bright and tall they are. The one in the video with the little whiskers are pretty amazing too.
ReplyDeletewow i love your blog. i'm in love with the first pair of heels and the wedges... i'm quite the shoe fanatic so thank you for introducing me to charlotte olympia!
ReplyDeleteyou've got yourself a new follower--from a fellow new yorker as well :]
xx
Thank you so much! They are very Tim Burton. If Edward Scissorhands was a girl...??
ReplyDeleteThank you!!!
ReplyDeleteSigh- yes, they're totally a dream. I've been trying to find a pair of leather shorts for years and still have not found any!
ReplyDeleteMerci beau coup! Sont tres belle, mais tres cher, aussi.
ReplyDeleteMeeeee too. Dying for a pair.
ReplyDeleteAren't they gorgeous?! Ahhh. I'd love any of them.
ReplyDeleteHA. True. Can I steal it from both of you?
ReplyDeleteShe definitely uses color and texture like no other!
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