Vintage lovers, look alive! You'll adore this cute-as footwear range from kitsch whizz Orla Kiely for Clarks. With a bubbling '60s trend occurring on the streets - and a continuing appreciation for comfortable-but-cool midi heels - we wouldn't be at all surprised if the slingbacks barely experience life on a shop's shelf. Orla's first ever footwear collection includes six styles with red flatforms, mustard buckled shoes and floral 60s prints. We spoke to Orla Kiely about the mod shoes...
Grazia Daily: How have you found the process of working with Clarks? And what first attracted you to the project?
Orla Kiely: 'I love Clarks for its heritage and Britishness. I grew up with Clarks, as most Brits do, and was very excited to work together with the brand. I felt we could bring something new to Clarks with our signature colours and aesthetic – mid-century 60’s/70’s feeling with a contemporary twist.'2
Grazia Daily: How has the collaboration differed to those you've done in the past?
Orla Kiely: 'I've never done a shoe collaboration before. It was interesting to see the full process and how my design aesthetic would work best with the Clarks brand. With my previous collaborations, we've used prints from our archives and more recently designed new prints - but for the shoes it was more about designing shoe shapes, styles and design accents - which was exciting and fun! Clarks has been one of my favourite collaborations to date. I’m very happy with the result, to combine design, style, comfort and quality is difficult and I think we have achieved it with this collaboration.'
Prices range from £90 to £120: Shop the collection at www.clarks.co.uk
Grazia Daily: Which design is your favourite?
Orla Kiely: 'I love both the Matilda and the Maggie styles. Designing the collection as a whole gave me a great deal of satisfaction, the heel was the starting point. Developing the lasts and heel shape was really exciting, the heel was important to get right because it’s the foundation of the collection.'
Grazia Daily: We know the Duchess of Cambridge is a fan of yours - which of these designs can you see her wearing?
Orla Kiely: 'We were delighted when we saw the Duchess of Cambridge wearing Orla Kiely. She has great style and wears our clothes really well. I could definitely see her wearing the Milly.'
Grazia Daily: Is there anything else you'd love to cover in the Orla print???
Orla Kiely: 'A building would be super cool.'