Shoe Salon

DESIGNERCHAT ALEXIS ISABEL

LIKE ANY FOOTWEAR designer worth their salt, Alexis Isabel is all about the shoes. They make the outfit, she says. “People often talk about dressing up or dressing down an outfit, and how’s that done? Exclusively with shoes!” she exclaims. “The opposite doesn’t work. You can’t dress down a pair of glittery flats.” Since debuting her label in 2015, Isabel has built her reputation on being detail-centric with collections for the “shoe connoisseur and shoe lover at heart.” The emphasis is on folded leathers and textures. “Details like double-faced leathers and three-dimensional folds are a couple of my signature design elements,” she says. “I love to combine leathers like suede and kidskin and top it off with jewels.” An example is the label’s signature Alter Ego T-strap pumps, available this season in a combination of rose-colored napa leather, gold lambskin and brilliant crystals.

Isabel’ capsule collection for this summer reflects a reawakening of life after a year of figurative darkness. The Italian-made styles take cues from nature, like budding flora, colorful insects and the bumpy skin, round eyes and loopy tails of chameleons. Leathers in rich blues, twinkling metallics and a rosy hue of pink are featured in a collection that Isabel describes as “season-less.” A highlight is the Petra mule in midnight blue calfskin. It features a pleated metallic fan and gold jewel on the vamp made by AMAMI, a collective of Philippine artisanal jewelry makers. “We’re proud to partner with AMAMI and support their initiative of empowering and providing a sustainable livelihood for Philippine artisans while helping to preserve their centuries-old jewelry traditions.”

Focusing on the finer details is just the Isabel way. The designer began her career working at Schwartz & Benjamin and Sigerson Morrison before attending the Dormus Academy in Milan, which led to a mentorship with Moreschi. She also has a 2018 CDFA + Elaine Gold Launch Pad award to her credit. Indeed, it’s all about the shoes for Isabel. “Shoes are meant to be a highlight of the wearer’s outfit,” she affirms, adding that her customers have an eye for detail and a whimsical sense of style. “For her, shoes are the standout item of anything that she wears, must be impeccably made and have a one-of-a-kind feeling. Each pair is like a little treasure.” Where do you look for inspiration? I don’t seek out inspiration. I allow myself to be inspired by the emotional and tactical appeal of places I visit and everyday experiences. Like magnificent baroque architectural spires or how sunlight reflects off fish scales at an outdoor market. I appreciate the beauty that is not automatically noticeable in both the mundane and the extraordinary.

Has the pandemic changed your approach

to design? I’m designing smaller collections with several high-impact styles, instead of a large variety of styles just for the sake of a large variety. I’m also listening even more closely to my customers and taking their wants into consideration.

Naot Vintage Foundry Co.

Quoddy

ADULT SWIM

Sleek slides make a subtle splash—unlike their cannonball cousin, sporty pool slides.

height can give you more presence when you enter a room. I’m very appreciative of the extra inches! And while high heels are no longer a prerequisite for going out to dinner, they’re definitely here to stay. Even during the height of the pandemic, our top-selling styles were all high heels.

Any designers you admire? Salvatore Ferragamo for his creativity and innovation. Part of his genius was caused by material limitations imposed during the Mussolini era. This led to his innovative use of materials, like inventing the cork wedge and cage heel. I also really like Daniel Roseberry’s direction at Schiaparelli and how he’s able to express irony, elegance and fun absurdity in his collections.

What do you love most about designing?I love that shoes are the truest expression of one’s mood and personality. I also love being alongside the shoemaking artisans as they put the final touches on my designs. They make my dreams (shoes) come to life. It’s like magic.

Are high heels part of the so-called new normal? High heels are escapism. After more than a year at home, women want to feel the sensation of getting dressed up to go out and live a little. High heels also change your body’s silhouette—the