Sole Mates
Think shoes obsess you? You’ve got nothing on these store owners and buyers, who can sum up your style in a glance. Their choices will always be right on trend, and they insist that comfort is as important as style
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TAMARA MELLON
THE FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF JIMMY CHOO
63 East Oak Street, 312-255-1170; jimmychoo.com.
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Mellon garners international headlines for her glamorous globetrotting as much as for her
elegant style. She set off a frenzy when she stopped in to say hi to her fans at the opening celebration of her Oak Street store earlier this year.
IN THE BEGINNING "My first shoe memory was in Paris-I was five and on a trip with the nuns of my convent school when I saw a tiny pair of cowboy boots in a store window. They were so cute, and I made such a fuss that the nuns had to buy them for me. They were expensive, and I know they dreaded telling my mother about them." U.S. INTRODUCTION "It usually takes European brands 20 years to translate properly to the American market. But within a year of opening the company [in London ten years ago], we had a store in Los Angeles, and the global publicity of young Hollywood made us an immediate hit." THE BIG DIFFERENCE "The quality is amazing. We work on the details of the last [the shape] and the balance. That makes our shoes comfortable, and a woman is able to wear a higher heel than usual. Shoe trends always change, but a Jimmy Choo should never date, and many of the designs can take you from jeans to a black-tie event." GETTING USED TO HEELS "I always tell women, If you're not used to walking in high heels, buy a pair and practice by doing the Hoovering in them." FALL'S MUST-HAVE "An ankle boot crosses all fashion trends and looks wonderful with a skirt. Ours hit just below the ankle, in a flattering place on the leg; you have to be careful so the vamp doesn't cut you off. Wear them with dark hose-black or brown-not a flesh color. We also have a pump called Sweden that's a modern take on a plain pump. I'd go for that in black." CALLING THE TRENDS "We worked on a lot of wet looks, patterned leather done soft and slightly wrinkled. There are interesting finishes, and buckles are back in gold. We have an ankle boot with three gold buckles up the side, with a heavier, thicker heel-it is very chic." WHAT'S THE BEST A SHOE CAN DO FOR YOU? "It completely modernizes your outfit. If you don't want to buy new clothing, modernize with new accessories."
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