While Dongdaemun was buzzing with Seoul Fashion Week fervour, an exclusive, star-studded soirée took place over at The Shilla Seoul. Titled “High Tech, High Craft”, Salvatore Ferragamo’s one-night-only experience invited esteemed VIPs and South Korean superstars to celebrate the debut collection of footwear by new design director, Paul Andrew.
Like a Korean drama, the night played out in several acts, put together with massive production sets, an extensive crew, and a stellar cast. The beginning saw SUVs with black-tinted windows glide up the garden-flanked driveway, where the who’s who of South Korean film, television, music and society stepped out to a waiting back of photographers. Their grand arrival captured, as were their kaleidoscopic ensembles, complete with beautiful Ferragamo high heels (many of which were gilded) extending greater sparkle in the flashes.
Inside the grand, ancient mansion-like venue were three artfully-appointed “galleries” that showcased dozens of shoes, encapsulating Ferragamo and Paul Andrew’s philosophy of “High Tech, High Craft”: The Kimo, which Mr Salvatore Ferragamo first created after seeing geisha wearing socks with sandals in Japan in the 1930s, now features interlaced strips of gold kid and satin; the Sneaker boot, which strikes a balance of comfort and contemporary appeal; the Sandal, which wraps the foot with a single piece of intricately laser-cut leather; and the unforgettable “F” wedge, which stands supreme on booties, pumps and statement thigh-high boots. Speaking of heels, the updated flower-shaped Column heel stood out as well, this time ultra-durable and lightweight with a gleaming finish, having been galvanised in a car factory.
Spotted having a tête-à-tête during the evening were Paul Andrew and Korean actress, Yoon Eun-Hye, who was a vision in purple, and gold pointed-toe stilettos. “They’re really, really comfortable,” Yoon was overheard saying (via interpreter) when Andrew asked how they fit and felt. Another key feature of the shoes is that every piece in this collection is engineered with in-built memory foam for elevated comfort. “I make shoes for women to feel beautiful, confident and strong, and to dance all night long,” said Andrew, and indeed, at this dazzling debut party, we did.
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By Dana Koh