Shoes!!! The mere mention of the word can put some women in an apoplectic state. If the Carrie Bradshaw years taught us anything, it is that when the going gets tough, shoes can get you to a better place. So what could be more exciting than to have an incredibly gifted British shoe designer enter the predictable stage and shake things up a bit?
That’s exactly what Chrissie Morris is doing and I love her for that. If you are a fan of the usual classic heels or red soles it is time for you to take a look at what Chrissie has brought to the footwear scene and upgrade your shoe wardrobe. I was introduced to the collection by my dear friend Roger Joseph who handles the global distribution and marketing for the brand. Under his direction the brand is now sold in some of the best stores around the world: from 10 Corso Como in Milan, Dover Street Market in London, I.T. in Hong Kong and Kirna Zabete in our very own New York City backyard to name but a few. I had the pleasure to meet the woman behind the brand for the first time last October as we were all in Paris for Fashion Week. We hung out at the temporary showroom set up a few doors down from Colette on rue Saint Honore and I showed up wearing my favorite pair, the Sunburst in Emerald Green. Chrissie is very much a British girl, cool without trying to be, easy going and down-to-earth. She lives between the U.K and Italy where her factory is located and her shoes are made. She explained how important it is for her to have a product that is made with care and attention to details, something rarely found these days. As August is upon us, her Fall 2012 styles are being delivered. What are you waiting for?
-Miriam Driot
Follow Miriam on Twitter @MiriamDriot
Designer website: www.chrissiemorris.com
1. What do you love most about your job?
What I love most about my job is the ability to give women a joyous, yet grounded, flamboyant but well-constructed platform for that moment, that day, the opportunity to give them a little lift, even in, as I like to say, a pair of my flats!
2. If you did not live in London, England where would you live and why?
Right now, I live between London and Bologna and Palermo – each city has its charms. That my sons can experience the beautiful sea, the perfume of almost sweet lemons is fantastic. Right now, they are living life as ragazzi in sole. In London, they blossom into little English men, and I love to visit landmarks with them, cultural and personal, and experience them again, with them, through their eyes, through their sense of wonder. London can be most inspiring, especially in this way; it is a treat, that rarely disappoints. Bologna is about work, about getting things done, and that sense of industry and achievement is a gratifying measuring stick for me. I’ve grown to love Bologna’s rhythm, and history and present day legacy as a centre of learning, and artisan culture.
3. When not working what do you enjoy doing?
You mean when I am not sleeping, or eating, or running after 3 boys, and managing the house? haha. When those stolen moments show up, you can find me watching sci-fi and nature programmes, sketching, knitting, checking out museums or planning to grab a long, cold drink with friends.
4. What is your best memory from childhood?
There are so many. Ice-cream in the Summer. Rough-housing with my Dad. Working with the designer of the local fashion boutique who gave me a job, and showed me, at 11 years old, a way to realize my dreams.
5. What is your favorite holiday destination and why?
I love the Aeolian Islands in the Summer. Each one has a distinct personality, a singular story and I’m in love with the narrative.
6. Book or e-reader? Why and what are you currently reading?
Book reader. I like strumming the pages. I’m reading (slowly…) Farewell To The Sea by Cuban poet, playwright and novelist, Reinaldo Arenas.
7. Which social media platform do you use and how did they impact your business?
We, Chrissie Morris Ltd, use Facebook and Twitter. And I’m getting into Instagram. There have been times when a particular post on Facebook will register a spike in viewers, participants, conversations on our profile, or on our website, but for the most part I think the impact of social media on our business is just that, social, ie people are talking about…
I have found friends on Facebook who remind me of when fashion was still just a past-time for me, and then as I considered it a career. I have found colleagues on Twitter, in a thoughtful, constructive place, despite the seeming omnipresent medium, whose work I admire, who admire what I, we, propose and bring life to each season, and we bond.
8. What is a true luxury for you today?
Time. Sleep. Supporting the passion and ingenuity of something made by hand in today’s world.
9. What is your biggest accomplishment to date? Why?
I started my business when I started my family, so in essence I gave birth to two babies simultaneously. Both endeavours have been amazing, for they reward hard work with love, and what’s bigger than that?.
Other INstallments:
INperson: Christopher Chong
INperson: Francesco Clark
INperson: Christine J. Brandt
INperson: Rolando Santana
INperson: Diane Clehane
INperson: Pierre Cardin
