Disney asked the world’s greatest designers to make Cinderella’s glass slippers into real, amazing thing
We’re just a little over a month away from the release date of Disney’s live action Cinderella (March 13th, people!) and to say we’re stoked would be an understatement.
Beautiful ice-blue dresses, pumpkin carriages, Prince Charming, Lily James and Cate Blanchett and Helena Bonham Carter . . . what’s not to love?
Another total scene stealer? Those glistening, gorgeous glass slippers. In the pending live-action version the slippers were produced by Swarovski with oversight by the film’s Oscar winning costume designer Sandy Powell. Also, they look like this:
The gorgest.
If that weren’t enough, Disney also tapped nine INCREDIBLY distinguished luxury shoe designers (in alphabetical order) — Paul Andrew, Alexandre Birman, René Caovilla, Jimmy Choo, Salvatore Ferragamo, Nicholas Kirkwood, Charlotte Olympia, Jerome C. Rousseau, and Stuart Weitzman — to each create their own interpretation of the slipper. Really it’s the glammest idea that ever was. Along with their designs the designers also provided some of their thoughts on Cinderella and what inspired their designs (all below, my pretties).
And yes, you can buy the shoes — if you’ve got the moolah, that is. We at Hello Giggles are dreaming of adding these princess gems to our collection. We’d even be ok with returning them to their designer at midnight.
Here are the beauties. Pick a favorite, it’s harder than it sounds!
Paul Andrew
“Cinderella’s glass slipper represents every woman’s dream shoe. The story, being a classic, inspired me to use my iconic pointed toe silhouette, which I embellished with an array of hand encrusted Swarovski crystals to create the ultimate fantasy shoe. I used transparent PVC to create a ‘glass’ effect and ivory suede for luxurious texture and dimension.” – Paul Andrew
Alexandre Birman
“My vision of the glass slipper was inspired by the timeless and feminine beauty that I believe Cinderella and the Alexandre Birman brand both share. I reinterpreted our classic Johanna pump, this time giving it a fashionable and romantic twist with satin and Swarovski crystals. It’s a shoe I imagine a modern princess would wear.” – Alexandre Birman
René Caovilla
“‘Works of arts called shoes’ to grant wishes and raise emotions. Passion and never ending research don’t draw the line at fantasy and creativity. This is how dreams come true in our fairy tale.” – René Caovilla
Jimmy Choo
“I think every girl desires a Cinderella moment in their lives. This story ignites a love affair and fascination with shoes that never dies. The power they have to transform is instilled from a young age and the fantasy remains alive forever. I wanted to create a shoe that felt magical, with alluring sparkle and a feminine, timeless silhouette evoking those childhood emotions.” – Sandra Choi, Creative Director Jimmy Choo
Massimiliano
“The magic of a shoe that turns a woman into a princess and gives her the feeling of walking on clouds is a universal dream. A modern Cinderella fairy tale of rediscovering a soft sensuality and a powerful femininity. A shoe made of transparency and light: the cage heel, an iconic symbol of Salvatore Ferragamo, is covered with Swarovski crystals and is transformed by sparkling impalpability.” – Massimiliano Giornetti, creative director Salvatore Ferragamo
Nicholas Kirkwood
“Cinderella has both delicate and strong qualities as a character. The moment of transformation emphasizes both and gave me the design inspiration to create a piece that spoke to the film’s magic.” – Nicholas Kirkwood
Charlotte Olympia
“I am delighted and honoured to be invited by Disney to design one of the most iconic shoes in history. It was such a pleasure to create my version of Cinderella’s glass slipper which I have aptly named If the Shoe Fits. This transparent platform shoe made with my signature PVC & perspex materials is adorned with star and crystal detailing as befits any princess.” – Charlotte Olympia
Jerome C. Rousseau
“The stroke of midnight is a wonderful element of the Cinderella fairytale, it adds tension and intensity to the story. I was inspired by that when I designed this style for Cinderella and the result is a dramatic midnight-blue glitter sandal on a sky-high heel. The clear strap is reminiscent of the crystal slipper, while the refined gold and silver trims add the right amount of whimsy to the design. I wanted to create something that, if left behind, the Prince would feel even more captivated by Cinderella’s allure.” – Jerome C. Rousseau
Stuart Weitzman
“Cinderella in 2015 has a timeless appeal. The diamond and translucent bootie enhance the vision I have of her.” – Stuart Weitzman
Sign us up for any of these.