FANCY – THE NEW EDGY - My Reading Room

It’s hard to ignore Gherardo Felloni, the moustachioed, opera-trained, antique jewellery-loving Italian who’s behind some of the most playful shoes to have enraptured the street-style set (remember Miu Miu’s pearl-studded furry slides?).

It’s hard to ignore Gherardo Felloni, the moustachioed, opera-trained, antique jewellery-loving Italian who’s behind some of the most playful shoes to have enraptured the street-style set (remember Miu Miu’s pearl-studded furry slides?). Now, in his first headlining role as Roger Vivier’s creative director, his tasteful sense of theatrics is on full display, bringing a modern, light-hearted brand of fancy to the maison – and an industry obsessed with hyped-up boots and sneakers. The Tres Vivier, for example, is a retro-fied take on the best-selling Belle Vivier pumps with chunkier buckles and heels. Crystals, feathers and lush finishes like satin feature heavily in his debut S/S ’19 collection. And while he’s got running shoes, they’re a pretty-meets-whimsical mix of candy-coloured Flyknit fabric and strass embellishments – because, really, do we need more ugly sneakers? – IJ

WHEN SCREWING AROUND WITH CLASSICS IS A BRILLIANT IDEA

It calls for a mad man or genius to want to tinker with a beloved, bestselling icon. Cartier falls into the latter category with its year-old Libre collection that puts a wild, cocktail-ready spin on the brand’s signature timepieces. For its 2019 outing, the case of a ’20s edition Tank gets extended into a narrow, ruby-flanked rectangle; the Baignoire is similarly stretched, then used as a canvas for 573 diamonds (and a smattering of emeralds and tourmalines); while the enamel dialled Diagonale is a new creation inspired by the unconventional evening watches the brand was known for during the Art Deco period. You know the adage: Nothing ventured, nothing gained. – IJ

(Clockwise from left) Tank Chinoiserie with rubies and enamel. Baignoire Allongee Celadon with emeralds and tourmalines. Diagonale with enamel. All in 18K white gold with diamonds on alligator strap

Hand Photo 123rf.com

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