Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai of New York City indie design duo Vena Cava will debut their first ever capsule shoe collection in collaboration with Italian luxury house Via Spiga during their eagerly anticipated Spring 2009 ready-to-wear presentation on September 6th at The Chelsea Art Museum. Over the next three seasons, the two design teams will create specialized footwear to fit the thematic and visual mood of each new Vena Cava clothing collection, the presentations of which will be fully sponsored by Via Spiga throughout the cooperative partnership.
After debuting live during Fashion Week, the shoes will be sold at Via Spiga’s forthcoming flagship store in SoHo – scheduled to open next month – and on ViaSpiga.com. Prices will range from $300 to $850.
The September 6th Vena Cava presentation will showcase four distinctive styles of the exclusive shoe range, which will go “hand in hand with the designers’ ‘Egyptomania’ theme for spring, with muted, sun-bleached colors, strappy sandals and pyramid hardware. The duo incorporated eclectic materials such as monkfish and salmon skin with silver hardware. There is a collage element to mixing materials, which also is a signature element in the brand’s apparel.”
Astrology and shapes and lines from mid 90’s fashion also influenced Vena Cava’s new direction, a creative process which has often resulted in stunning hand-drawn designs and garments conceived of an intellectually-charged modern art philosophy. The Parsons School of Design Class of 2003 alumnae enjoy a venerable reputation as young downtown fashion luminaries whose shows are well-attended and reviewed and whose garments dress many sharp, metropolitan women. Lisa and Sophie have also been nominated for many honors and accolades, including the illustrious Vogue/CFDA Fashion Fund Award, now for two years in a row.
The Via Spiga shoe project marks the first of many potential endeavors into notable brand expansion for Vena Cava, who may soon launch jewelry, eyewear, a full spectrum of handbags, and umbrellas – all using the line’s signature prints.
“We’re so excited to be working with Via Spiga on our premiere footwear collaboration. For us to be able to collaborate with a brand that not only shares our sensibility, but also has extensive resources and impeccable manufacturing, is more than we could have hoped for,” said Lisa and Sophie.
Are you excited that you can now (literally) wear Vena Cava from head to toe? We are and we cannot wait to see the innovative footwear designs in person! Watch this space.
Sketch courtesy of Vena Cava via WWD.
