Dukas: The Duke of Heels

published in: Accessories, 18 Oct 2011

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Dukas is a Greek footwear designer that has risen to prominence through his avant garde shoes and use of unique materials. Born in Thessaloniki on the 11th September 1975, Dukas studied at the American College, acquiring a Master’s degree in History of Art.

He has taken part in “Alta Moda”, a week of Italian haute couture and, more specific, in Fashion Calendar 2003, where 12 new talents from all over the world presented their collections. Vogue Italia magazine after the show heralded the Greek designer as a “subversive fetishist”. The collection was also presented in many Greek editions of international fashion magazines such as Vogue Hellas, Elle, In Style, L’ Officiel, Madame Figaro, Marie Claire, Votre Beaute etc.

At the first official “Hellenic Fashion Week” and in the context of the “Art Project 3D”, he created an original contemporary work of art which consisted of image, sound and light, in cooperation with a team of artists from the “Royal College of Art” of London, which made part of his advertising campaign, face of which was his muse, and actress, Natasa Kalogridis.

In 2004, Dukas presented his collection in multi-brand showrooms in Milan, taking the first steps for his international career. In the meantime, Dukas begins exporting his products in Europe, America and Asia (Tokyo, Los Angeles, New York, Marbella, Moscow, Monte Carlo, Saint Trope, London, Paris, Milan, Qatar).

This year, for the first time, Dukas showcased his Spring/Summer 2012 designs along with Paris Fashion Week at the prestigious TRANOΪ.

He has successfully collaborated with “Swarovski Hellas”and was part of international edition of the International Swarovski Book “Crystal Shoe Temptation”. Since 2005, he has been designing for Estée Lauder Hellas the Pink Ribbon bracelet to reinforce the Fight Against Breast Cancer Campaign and raise money for the Association of Women with Breast Cancer “A Leap To Life” (each year with the concept is different, based though on its pink colour).

For Autumn/Winter 2011-2012, Dukas drew inspiration from the classic ballet shoes and their satin ribbons. The heels are 14mm high in the shape of ballet dancers in their pointes. Crimson red, electric blue, silky fuchsia create a vivid contrast with hues of velvety black. Glitter, spots, and feathers complete the neo-glam style with a fetishistic approach.

Geometric, voluminous  platforms in new lines give a new vibe to black, sexy booties.

It is worth mentioning that from the very beginning until now all Dukas Collection products continue to bear the signature Exclusively Made in Hellas. The collection is hosted at selected outlets and big departments all over Greece.

Famous clients of Dukas include Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, and Diana Ross.

All images courtesy of Dukas©

Kobi Levi Footwear: Wearable Sculptures At Your Feet

published in: Accessories, 05 Oct 2011

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Coffee? Porcelian version, 2011, Leather

Kobi Levi is not your average freelance footwear designer. Looking at his shoes one might think of him also as an artist/sculptor extraordinaire. Levi graduated from Bezalel academy of Art & Design in 2001, with a degree in footwear and development.

Coffee? Diner version, 2011, Leather

He views the shoe as a canvas. The trigger for Levi to create a new piece comes when an idea, a concept and/or an image comes to his mind. The combination of the image and footwear creates a new hybrid and the design/concept comes to life. Most of the inspirations are out of the "shoe-world", and give the footwear an extreme transformation. The result is usually humoristic with a unique point of view about footwear.

Contemporary Chinese for The APM mall exhibition in Hong Kong, 2011, Leather

Another aspect of the creation for Levi is the realization. All the pieces are hand-made in his studio. The challenging technical development is the key to bring the design to life in the best way," he explains. Each part of the shoe is made from the start: heels carved by hand, pattern cut, stitching and assembling, all with great attention to detail.

Olive Oyl, 2011, Leather

So are the shoes wearable or just a piece of art? "My designs are a combination of art, design, and fashion. I treat them as wearable sculptures. They are real shoes! They can function like real shoes, although the reason to create them is not functionality, it's creativity. Sense of humor is an important part of my work, and of me! I like to see my designs both on display, as well as on feet. They are "alive" in different ways," he says.

Blond Ambition, 2011, Leather

His pieces may be influenced by different things, however, some of them could easily be part of the collections for high fashion houses such as Moschino (see Olive Oyl design), and Jean Paul Gaultier (see Blond Ambition design). And though he has not worked for them yet, he has collaborated both with Israeli and international companies, and has also designed commercial footwear in Italy, China and Brazil.

Slide, 2010, Leather

His work has been exhibited, in group with other artists', all over the world from Tokyo to Düsseldorf, to Dongguan, Verona, Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem, St. Étienne and Berlin. However, his first solo exhibition was 'Walkable', in January 2011. "I titled it "Walkable" after getting asked over and over again if my designs are walkable," he explains. "I guess people find it hard to believe that these are real. I think it makes it more fun to see it on and working." In May 2011 he exhibited his work in HongKong at the APM mall, after an invitation from the Mall's promotion department. He designed especially for this purpose the 'Contemporary Chinese' shoe, as well as another one called 'Mother&Daughter'.

Sling-Shot, 2010, Leather & wood

Levi is currently working on his women shoe line in Tel-Aviv, Israel, and selected designs are available by order directly from his studio.

Chewing Gum, 2009, Leather

For more details you can reach Kobi Here.

All images courtesy of Kobi Levi©

Market Trolley, 1998, Textile & Rubber

 

Vasileios Kalamidas: Cinderella's New Footwear Designer

published in: Accessories, 10 Aug 2011

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It is always very refreshing when you a see new talent in the making, and especially when this talent is Greek. In early July, London College of Fashion had its graduate exhibition at the Victoria House. Among the people that showcased their work their was shoe designer on the rise, Vasileios Kalamidas.

Vasileios is a Greek footwear designer, based in London. While studying at Cordwainers in London College of Fashion, Vasileios has established his style in footwear. His work is characterised by minimalism within the haute couture structure of his shoes, offering an emotional euphoria to the viewer/customer.

His ethos is not only to respect the English heritage of handmade shoemaking but also to apply innovative ideas in design and construction development. Perceiving shoes as the ultimate luxury product for a woman, their necessity and beauty within their form’ Vasileios creates artefact wearable pieces that aim to last in time.

WGSN entered Vasileios at its Top Five “Emerging Talent at Cordwainers: Footwear Trend Analysis” characterising his work as “high-octane glamour.” At the present, Vasileios is focusing at his Masters degree at the London College of Fashion. His designs seem to have come straight from a couture fairytale, but luckily, for the fashionistas worldwide, they are 100% true. A little patience though people until his brand is launched in early 2013, and you will be able to walk up a storm.

(All photographs by Adrien Daste, courtesy of Vasileios Kalamidas)

Related links: http://www.fashion.arts.ac.uk/2011/live/