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For Autumn Winter 2011-12, Mr. DRIES VAN NOTEN presented an eclectic, mod-ish collection inspired by the Ballets Russes and the stylings of David Bowie. Surrealist prints were collaged with shaggy fur and python appliqué, with a vivid palette of rust, gold, tangerine, indigo, jade and metallic gold. Accessories had a whirling sixties feel, with ankle booties accented with a heavy wooden or perspex heel, with a snub toe in panels of glossy snakeskin, plush turquoise velvet or even mongolian fur.
This particularly decadent bootie (above) features a towering, lacquered wooden block heel and mottled jade python. Wear these with a crisp A-line skirt or shirtdress, in subtle monochrome or a swirling print (to follow this season’s trend to clash prints of opposing colours and sizes).
This style is now available in-store at the COCCODRILLO Ladies Boutique, Antwerp.
Note: Guido Morofico’s spectacular photography book ‘Serpens’ came to mind when we chose this shoe, which features beautiful hyper-real images of snakes. Check it out here.
Above: ‘Dendro aspis Viridis’ from the book “Serpens” photographed by Guido Mocafico
Belgian boots… and Balenciaga
Paris has offered a sublime selection of covetable winter footwear in these heady days of prét-à-porter shows for Fall Winter 2011-12.
From our own Antwerp designers, DRIES VAN NOTEN delivered his expert take on an ankle boot (above), prepped in exotic python skin sitting on a transparent acrylic heel. At ANN DEMEULEMEESTER, a streamlined block wedge returned from SS11 (this time laced up the ankle or toe), and A.F. VANDEVORST‘s Philip Arickx & An Vandevorst proposed a strapped & buckled boot perched upon a razor-thin wedge. The MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA lifted the foot off the sole completely, covering some pairs entirely with mesh stockings.
A true highlight arrived upon the tiled floors of the Hôtel Crillon on Thursday morning, where Nicholas Ghesquiere dreamed up these delightful roccoco stilettos for BALENCIAGA (below). Severe in both their height and pointed toe, their structure was softened by the curlicues that snaked across the ankle or buckles in snakeskin down the foot.
It seems footwear has evolved from the high-impact platform ‘statement’ shoes of the recent past, returning to a more artistic & feminine sphere. No longer pre-occupied with aggressive, over-designed heels, designers seem to have softened – once again crafting feminine and unusual objets d’art for the feet. Coccodrillo approves.
Ferragamo’s Creations made their smashing debut at Coccodrillo last night, in an intimate cocktail evening for the 4th Coup d’Etalage event. Guests enjoyed their first glimpse of the limited re-editions of many of Ferragamo’s most famous shoes, whilst sipping champagne in the company of designers such as milliner Stephen Jones, Filip Arickx & Ann Vandevorst of A.F. Vandevorst, Raf Simons & Dries Van Noten.
FLASHBACK // Coup d’Etalage
Two days before Coccodrillo kicks off with our 4th edition of the Coup d’Etalage series, we present a snapshot of the previous three events, in which designers stage their ‘coup’ upon the windows of the Coccodrillo stores in Antwerp’s Schuttershofstraat.
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