Yesterday, we brought you a “Take 5″ with Galia Katz of Plomo shoes. Today, as promised, we are bringing you an exclusive interview with her Plomo co-founder Keltse Bilbao. Keltse grew up in Spain and lives on the Upper East Side of New York City. She loves shoes and considers she and Galia to be perfect examples of the “Plomo woman.” We got Keltse to “Take 5″ for ShoesTV.
(Keltse Bilbao, left, and Galia Katz)
How did you become a shoe designer?
I have always been a shoe addict. I love shoes! Galia and I were friends before we became partners and we had the idea of creating a shoe brand. That is how we became shoe designers.
Galina
What is your background?
I grew up in Bilbao, Spain. I studied economics in Spain and worked in communications for four years. Then I decided to move to New York City and to follow my dream and to do what I really loved, which is fashion. I lived in different countries such us Belgium, London, Mexico City and Miami before ending up in New York City again. Four years ago, I opened a multi-brand store in Mexico City. Now I’m finishing my Master’s Degree at the Fashion Institute of Technology and working really hard to take Plomo to the next level.
Susana
What inspires you in your designs?
Food, people and art. I get inspired when I travel to different countries.
Catalina
How did Plomo begin?
With a cup of coffee in Mexico City! Galia and I decided to make some samples and to give it a try. Two months later, we had our first order from a department store in Mexico City!
Michaella
If you were going on a trip around the world, what 5 pairs of shoes would you pack?
1. A very nice pair of oxfords.
2. Wedge boots like the Veronique boots from our new collection.
Veronique
3. Sexy high heel booties
4. Flat sandals.
5. Unfortunately, some very comfortable sneakers (I hate them but I guess I need some for the trip).
-Kristie Griffith for ShoesTV
(Keltse Bilbao, left, and Galia Katz, right)
Plomo shoes popped up on my radar on a random shoe-gazing Google search and kind of took my breath away. The shoes are unique and sexy, yet look comfortable. After some research, I found out that the company was run by two women, Galia Katz and Keltse Bilbao. In between designing and jet-setting, the ladies stopped for a moment to “Take 5″ for ShoesTV. Today we will hear from Galia, tommorow from Keltse.
Galia Katz grew up in Mexico City and studied fashion and textile design. She started modeling in school. Upon graduating, she headed to Paris to study French and then moved to Barcelona, Spain to work and model. When she decided to start making shoes, she simply began sketching shoes and found a manufacturer, learning the craft along the way.
Cristina
Ella
Sandra
Sandra
Veronique
-Kristie Griffith for ShoesTV
Isabel Toledo unveiled her Payless ’12 Footwear and Handbag Collection last week in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The show was Miss Toledo’s first runway show in over 10 years and was held in conjunction with her husband’s art exhibit at El Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico. The night highlighted 20 years of the duo’s art and fashion.
Toledo became a household name in 2009 for the “Lemongrass” Day Dress she designed for Michelle Obama for President Barack Obama’s inauguration. Her clothes are also sold in upscale shops like Barney‘s New York and Colette in Paris.
President Barack Obama & Michelle Obama (wearing Isabel Toledo) at his inauguration in 2009.
The Puerto Rican runway show featured Toledo’s Spring ’12 apparel line alongside shoe selections from her Payless Spring ’12 collection. The sneak peek of the Payless line featured fun and innovative designs. The Espawind is a spin-off of a traditional espadrille and features a stacked platform sole with striped and blue canvas uppers. Fans of Toledo will note her signature wrap-around ankle strap.
Espawind
The Mary (shown in Solar) is a wedge that has a typical Mary Jane upper with a sculptural wedge sole and blue piping.
Mary (in Solar)
The Romador is a feminine twist on durable fishermen’s sandals. With a silver-bullet colored heel and silver and gold straps across the vamp, this shoe is a sexy take on a practical design.
Romador
Mary (in Natural)
Beach Boot
The collection is due in Payless stores nationwide in February 2012.
-Kristie Griffith for ShoesTV
When shopping for shoes for newborns, style probably isn’t your first concern. Well, Toe Jamm Shoes is about to change that. Designers Yasmina Cadiz and Amanda Real just launched this line for infants (age 0-12 months) and, boy, do they have a refined style.
Cadiz and Real’s inspiration for the line came when they couldn’t find a suitable baby shower gift for a mutual friend. With Real’s fashion design background and Cadiz’s interior architecture education, they knew they could come up with a custom, chic pair of “first shoes” for a baby. Their mutual love for music inspired the name Toe Jamms.
Designers Yasmina Cadiz and Amanda Real
Although the ladies knew each other for years, they had the opportunity to work together for Calleen Cordero. Real had worked for Cordero as her handbag designer for 3 years, and when Cadiz was brought on for the rebranding effort for the brand in 2010 as Creative Director and Photographer, the ladies shared a creative chemistry. They were so inspired by working for Calleen Cordero, that you’ll notice a special shoe on their website titled “The Cordero Slip-On.”
Both designers still have their first pair of shoes. They want to make sure their tiny handcrafted shoes are seen differently than average baby shoes which are usually considered disposable once a baby grows out of them. They hope that mothers and children will want to have their shoes as a keepsake forever.
The shoes are made to be worn in the child’s first year of life. Although they have a pre-designed collection, each shoe will have traces of its maker and you can even opt to further customize by adding the child’s name to the satchel the shoes will be sold in. Instead of using boxes they decided to sell the shoes in an environmentally friendly signature satchel that adds a more personalized flare, with or without the child’s name.
Friends and family got a sneak preview of the line at a launch party in LA on September 17th. Cadiz’s brother-in-law, Chef Bill Kim, even flew all the way from Chicago to serve as the official chef of the event.
The site just launched TODAY and we suggest you get a pair soon before all the celeb mamas around town snatch them up. ShoesTV heared that Rachel Zoe’s baby Skylar was the first to own an official pair of Toe Jamms!
Chef Bill Kim at the Official Toe Jamms Launch Party
TJs at Launch party
Toe Jamm Shoe Collection:
Photos: Toe Jamm Shoes
- Tara Akinwande For ShoesTV
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, ShoesTV will be profiling a different shoe designer or brand that has created a shoe for the cause. Make sure to check us out every Monday this month for a special shoe spotlight.
Today, we kick off with Charles David of California. The brand has partnered with the Breast Cancer Charities of America (BCCA) for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Charles Malka, Charles David President & CEO Pure iGoPink Pump
Charles David has created an iGoPink: Fashion Fights Breast Cancer exclusive pump. The shoe is the classic Charles by Charles David Pure platform pump with black kid suede and a special pink shimmer shine sole that draws attention with every step. The outsole and lining are detailed in the iGoPink pantones.
The Pure was chosen as the BCAA shoe because of its popularity with customers. The Pure retails for $125 and will be available exclusively at Charles David locations nationwide with 20% of sales from the shoe going to the BCAA.
“We are so excited to be dedicating one of our top styles to benefit such an important and worthy cause,” said Joelle Malka, Charles David’s Director of Retail, “I know our customers will be proud to wear this shoe not only for its fashionable style but for what it stands for.”
Erica Harvey
“The Breast Cancer Charities of America are thrilled to be partnering with the highly esteemed Charles David brand that has such a stellar reputation among women of all ages, ” said Erica Harvey, the BCCA’s Executive Director, “Our ‘iGoPink’ logo is a stiletto and we couldn’t think of a more perfect fit!”
The Pure is only the start of the collaboration between Charles David and the BCAA. Throughout the year, there will be three more exclusive designs from the company incorporating iGoPink pinks, the BCAA ribbon logo and a 20% donation towards the charities from the proceeds.
The Pure will be in stores October 15. The shoe will be available for pre-sale purchase on October 1.
-Kristie Griffith for ShoesTV
Toronto-based designer Abel Munoz’s shoes are hand-crafted in Italy using high-quality materials and a touch of old-school romance. Munoz trained at the famous ARS Arpel Institute of Shoes and Accessories and Design in Milan. He draws inspiration from the artisanal work of Italian shoe designers of the 1930s and 1940s who created shoes before mass industrial production existed. His current line of shoes is inspired by the silver screen starlets of the golden age of cinema. We got Abel Munoz to “Take 5″ for ShoesTV.
What inspired you to become a shoe designer?
I’ve been interested in accessories design and all facets of design all of my life. Since I can remember, footwear design has always been on my mind. I guess I always wanted to design shoes.
Elizabeth
How did your studies in Italy impact your design philosophy?
As I continue to expand, develop and produce collections in Italy, my work is influenced by spending time and working with my Italian teams season after season. The collections are entirely made in Italy and focus on the highest standard of quality materials. The impeccable construction, workmanship and in-depth attention to detail is unparalleled.
What is your background?
I am Latin American. I was born in Costa Rica. I moved to Canada at the age of 21. I started studying Fashion Quality Control in Costa Rica and finished my schooling as a Graphic Designer in Toronto, Canada.
What kind of woman do you see in your shoes?
The type of woman that I design for is the woman who wants to be different and is strong and independent. She is not afraid of investing money in something new, unusual and fashion-forward.
Tell me about the current line. How did you pick classic movie stars as an inspiration?
The Fall\Winter 2011 collection is inspired by the classic silver screen’s female stars. These leading ladies played a role in the women’s movement and were key to the evolution of fashion. Each sparked trends that influenced generations to come.
If you were packing for a trip around the world, what 5 pairs of shoes would you bring?
I would bring Veronica, Cosma, Josephine, Elettra and Marlene.
Veronica
Cosma
Josephine
Elettra
Marlene
-Kristie Griffith for ShoesTV
Need your daily dose of shoe news? Stay tuned to ShoesTV Headlines! From who got caught in a shoe snafu to interviews with the most coveted designers and sneak peeks at upcoming styles, we bring you the latest gossip and happenings in the world of shoes.
