Upcoming Chilean shoe designer Barbara Briones has crept onto my shoe radar, and she is definitely one to watch! I’ve been smitten ever since I laid eyes on her purple tie-dye pump, just one of the beautifully-handcrafted shoes from her Spring/Summer 2011 collection.
Barbara is reviving the shoemaking tradition in her home country, employing local artisans and leather artists in Santiago, Chile to produce her shoes. The way she mixes various materials and moods with an undercurrent of vintage glamour is extremely charming.
After studying in London at the Cordwainers school, Barbara worked for Mulberry in London, and for Ferragamo in Firenze before launching her line a few seasons ago. From ankle booties to sandals and flats, the current collection offers something special for every taste.
And, as the designer herself asserts, these shoes are designed for wearing.
Even though what we design should be an object of desire, we cannot forget that it should also be wearable.
To purchase , visit BarbaraBriones.com. I heard it through the grapevine that soon one of Barbara Briones shoes will be available at Anthropologie!
