Caught up in Charlotte Olympia’s web
The British designer pops into the city of angels to present her new collection
SHOE AND LEATHER goods designer Charlotte Olympia Dellal is a very busy lady. In Bangkok recently for the very first time, the founder of the luxury brand Charlotte Olympia, made the first of her pit stops at the Emporium Shopping Complex where she introduced her spring and summer 2016 collection over afternoon tea.
Dubbed “I Married Adventure”, the collection shares its title with a memoir written by Osa Johnson, recounting the expeditions she shared with her husband in the early part of the twentieth century.
The result is a collection bursting with animal prints, exotic textures and rustic materials offset by watercolour maps and broguing detail.
A golden tan insole and contrasting leopard print lining feature throughout offering wearers a walk on the eccentric side.
You can journey back to adventurous times with the nappa “Bon Voyage” passport pouch and travel “Around the World” with a perspex inspired suitcase. Pair them with “Destination” printed wedges showcasing a design of vintage travel stickers. Decorative rattan heels and platforms adorn classic silhouettes for the glamorous first-class globe trotter.
Or escape into the wild with zebra-print block heels accented with silver piping and Ferocious sandals in aristocratic red raffia embellished with gold sequins. The Fierce Handbag, in ostrich-effect stamped leather, is embroidered with a leopard rug design, which also lays across the African Queen T-bar sandals.
Leopard-skin peep-toe platforms and Snappy crocodile cut-outs will arouse your animal instinct while Panthera sandals, featuring a hand-painted enamel leopard-shaped wedge, will keep you fiercely feline.
Make like an explorer with leather accessories embossed in animal prints and Expedition sling-backs folded in crisp ivory and khaki linens. The perspex Columbus globe clutch bag pairs with Well Travelled flats mapped out in suede applique.
Dellal’s passion for design was sparked by her love of fashion and nostalgia for the bygone era of old Hollywood glamour.
She took that passion to Cordwainers, the world-renowned college for footwear and accessories in London where she explored her interests alongside technical training in the craftsmanship of beautiful shoes.
Soon after graduating, she launched her London- based brand. That was in January 2008 and she’s never looked back.
During her short stay in Bangkok, Dellal met with her official distributor; Duangkaew Bhakdibhumi and Nalinee Worawongwasu of 24 Luxury, as well as several of her A-list fans including ML Piyapas Bhirombhakdi, Poruethai Narongdej, Orawan Ingkhasit and Rawiwan Tanaka.
Duangkaew and Nalinee also hosted a small soiree from the designer at The Siam Hotel, which was attended by several big names from the fashion and art world including Intira Thanavisuth, Vatanika Patamasigh na Ayudhya, Kornvipa Jotikasathira, Alisa Asavabhokhin, the Sretsis siblings Klyduan, Pimdao and Matina Sukhahuta, and actress Araya Alberta Hargate.
Dellal is also collaborating |with MAC cosmetics on a line of makeup that features three |different red lipsticks to match different skin tones, an almost-black, deep-brown liquid liner |and nail polish.
