LONDON, July 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
Leading Italian shoe manufacturer Alberto Guardiani and Wallpaper*, the international design magazine, have joined forces to create a special installation at celebrated London department store Selfridges this summer.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130730/630560 )
The installation will showcase the shoe collection created in collaboration between the two brands. To mark the 30th anniversary of the fashion brand's menswear adventure in 2011, a range of loafers and lace-ups in suede and technical fabrics by Schoeller Textiles was produced in conjunction with former Wallpaper* fashion director Sébastien Clivaz (now at Christian Dior) and London bespoke tailors Thom Sweeney, while graphic designers Revenge is Sweet created a distinctive shoe box. The collection was followed a season later by more shoes in adventurous colour ways and a specially commissioned belt by Lausanne-based industrial designer Xavier Perrenoud. A travel capsule collection by German designer André Klauser followed in 2013.
The installation, designed by Wallpaper* editor-at-large Leila Latchin, takes its inspiration from a series of films documenting the collaboration between Wallpaper*, Alberto Guardiani, Thom Sweeney and Revenge is Sweet. "I wanted the onlooker to see the craftsmanship, materials and tools used from the inception of the design up to the finished shoe, to appreciate the processes involved in creating a handmade product," says Latchin.
Split across two bays, one for the Wallpaper* collection and one for the must-have shoes of Alberto Guardiani's FW collection, which is inspired by a romantic rock in an urban style with hybrid constructions and a formal imprint, the installation is connected visually through a theme of the negative and the positive, where two designs mirror each other in outline and positioning.
As for the capsule collection Alberto Guardiani realised with Wallpaper* magazine, the fil-rouge of their creation is always a great balance between Italian craftsmanship and passion for detail and innovation, delivering contemporary and sophisticated products. "The capsule collection required a design that protected the pieces, to be admired rather than touched," explains Latchin. "Here I drew inspiration from the display cases that have traditionally been used in museums whilst adding a tilt and twist to give a more contemporary, angular appearance. Alberto Guardiani's A/W collection in the second bay called for a more open presentation, offering to be held and admired, so it followed to reverse the design of the former, openly placing the shoes onto a series of solid cubes."
The installation will be in place at Selfridges from 22nd July to 18th August. Both Wallpaper* and Alberto Guardiani men's footwear collections will be available to purchase at Selfridges.
To discover more about Alberto Guardiani visit http://www.albertoguardiani.com or view the company video profile.
Alberto Guardiani Digital PR
Elisabeth Cook
digitalpr@albertoguardiani.it
+39-02796385
Twitter: @Guardianishoes
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