APERLAI SHOES | FALL / WINTER 2012

Aperlai, heralded as one of the most exciting names in footwear fashion, took on geometric shapes, defined lines and pure symmetry for their Fall / Winter 2012 shoe collection.

Founded in 2009 by Alessandra Lanvin, Aperlai made a name for itself in the world of luxury accessories. Upon founding the brand, Alessandra Lanvin took inspiration from the ancient Lycian town of Alperlai in Mediterranean Turkey – from which the footwear collection takes its name – as it held many happy memories for the former Parisian headhunter.

The Fall / Winter 12 footwear collection found influence in artist Jackson Pollock when it came to materials, from Picasso and Mondrian for the colours palette and Lovegrove for the individual structure of each shoe. Exotic and statement skins ran throughout the collection; python, pony and even stingray made marked appearances. The more unusual materials were allowed to express themselves wholly and many looks were void of stitch marks entirely, which may have disjointed the appearance of the skins.

Every single Aperlai shoe is put together with great care, by the finest Italian craftsmen. From sandals to stilettos Aperlai Fall / Winter 2012 footwear collection conveyed a simple and fine allure. The newly introduced Geisha heel stood out as an ode to cubism, while Aperlai’s biggest sellers, the Gatsby loafers inspired by the timeless moccasins worn by Katherine Hepburn, harked back to the 1920s but at the same time were right up-to-date with an eye-catching yellow and a stunning leopard-print.

Aperlai’s signature envelope ankle shoe boots made a bold statement, yet would easily carry you from office to after-party in one clean sweep. With the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Blake Lively, Kate Bosworth, Jessica Alba, Naomi Watts and Amanda Seyfried amongst its fan-base Aperlai is sure to flourish at the forefront of luxury footwear in the coming seasons.

- Ellen Stewart
- Photos courtesy of Aperlai