Half hour with…Fiona Kotur
Established handbag designer Fiona Kotur dives into
uncharted waters as she takes on the world of shoe design
exactly after ten years in the fashion industry
After ten years in the handbag industry, designer
Fiona Kotur’s signature minaudières find themselves affiliated with
every fashionphile’s wardrobe. Pursuing her passion for shoes, the
Hong Kong-based clutch queen now finds herself deeply involved in
the shoe industry, recently launching her Spring 2014 collection
featuring three unique pairs of high heels. Her heel designs are laden
with a feminine allure and are the epitome of spring.
A wanderer by heart, Fiona finds inspiration in her travels and
incorporates her experiences into her designs, although she stays true
to her roots as a New Yorker.
When did you finally decide this was the right and appropriate time to
do shoes for Spring ‘14?
Well, it started about a year and a half ago. I’ve really always wanted to
do shoes. I’ve always had a passion for it and it goes so well with the
bags. They change and transform the outfit and the mood. I started to
find the right partner to manufacture with. I found this fantastic
Italian partner who really loves our bags and believes in our vision so
we’ve been working together and came up with our first collection for
spring and I was really thrilled with that. I’m excited to do more as
our fall shipment drops next time this September.
What’s your inspiration for the Fall line?
It’s all about collectibles. Curiosities and collectibles. The idea was
that you can have an eclectic assortment of special things. Things you
could add on to and collect and everything is a little quirky or very
individual and it’s the same for the bags, as for the shoes. So, even the
loafers, there’s something familiar about them. They’re sort of
inspired by the loafers my mom wore in the 6os. Sort of heeledloafers.
Quite classical beginnings but we’ve taken them into a totally
different realm. We’ve given those brocades, embellishments and
velvet. It’s really fun so I’m excited about them and I love them more
with jeans.
What are your rules when it comes to matching shoes and bags?
I have no rules. I think you do what you want to do. Sometimes it’s really
fun to do the entire head-to-toe matching, I think that’s something like a
statement. But then I also like it when nothing matches. I don’t think there
are rules. Yes, just follow your own instinct.
What are your future plans? Do you plan to do jewelry or cosmetics?
I think we need a setting for our items, first of all. And we are looking
at a series of popup shops and we’re still looking for real estate but I
think that our online shop is also something that we’re really working
on, focusing on where we want it but it’s been great. I mean, I’m very
happy with it. I think eventually, I would love to do jewelry.
If you could go back to when you started out ten years ago, what
advice would you give yourself?
Always remember the wise words of Diana Vreeland, “Give ‘em what
they never knew they wanted.”
What elements do you consider in making the perfect shoe? The
perfect bag?
For shoes, you always need great architecture – the perfect heel, a
beautiful curve, everything else after is fun. For bags, it is always based on
something classic but taken in a new, modern direction.
What can’t you live without?
My five boys and my 500 heels.
What makes your job as a designer most fulfilling?
Seeing people using and enjoying the bags and shoes. Whether at a small
cocktail in New York or on the glamorous Hollywood red carpets.
REPORT: rorie carlos-manzano and hannah lazatin
photo: magic liwanag
