Gwendolyn Carrié
About
Gwendolyn Carrié began her career as a shoe designer after 12 years as a successful investment banker during which she rose to the position of Director and senior advisor to some of Europe’s largest retail and luxury goods companies. With the premature arrival of healthy twin girls, Gwendolyn realized that it was time to steer away from logical steps in the world of finance and pursue a long-time dream to become a luxury shoe designer.
With her in-depth knowledge of the luxury leather goods market, she found a common thread between banking and design: the importance of details. Primarily self-taught, she attended evening pattern-cutting classes at Cordwainers and carried out pattern-cutting, stitching and shoe-making internships at various shoe factories to hone her skills. In Spring 2005, Gwendolyn launched her very first collection.
In a world mesmerized by mass production, Gwendolyn seeks to re-define luxury as we know it today and rediscover the true meaning of exclusivity. Gwendolyn Carrié limited edition designs are handcrafted and virtually semi-couture, often with no more than 16 pairs per style and colour ever made. An advocate of “thinking fashion”, Gwendolyn recognizes that today’s throwaway culture is unsustainable. The emphasis on skilful handcraftsmanship, properly balanced structures and the use of durable all-natural materials are steps toward encouraging consumers to make considered choices – to buy less but buy better – and to celebrate individuality, sophistication and style.
The Look
Key to Gwendolyn Carrié’s design philosophy is that comfort need not compromise elegance. During her time at the bank, Gwendolyn noticed a gap in the market for stylish and wearable shoes that would take her from the office and out to town. Frustrated by the lack of choice offered to the real women juggling careers, families and busy social schedules, Gwendolyn sought to design shoes that combined beauty of form with practical functionality so that women could be confident in their heels and not crippled by them. Distinctive materials such as the label’s signature fish skin leathers are an important source of inspiration for Gwendolyn. Her signature fish skin leathers in both natural fluffy and glazed forms are a by-product of the food industry. These beautiful materials feature in all her collections, along with genuine exotic skins that are carefully sourced and quirky detailing such as beautifully handmade feather accessories, vintage fabrics and antique haberdashery.