One of the wonderful benefits of waking up to a sombre sky and brisk breeze as the days grow ever shorter is the exponential growth of clothing possibilities that come along with Winter dressing. This week Closet Case spoke with John Camuto of the Vince Camuto shoe empire and was given the low-down on the opening weekend caffeine-hit at Skin and Threads in Melbourne. Finally, we indulged in a little online perusing at our favourite fashion house. Winter is coming, and it’s time for a seasonal shopping trip…
To attend the official openings of the second and third Vince Camuto boutiques in Melbourne and Adelaide, John Camuto flew into Sydney earlier this month. As the son of Vince Camuto, who also founded Nine West and whose stores are set to expand to boutiques in Sydney and Perth later this year, John is thoroughly invested in his family’s footwear empire and was able to discuss the Vince Camuto philosophy with us- and give us the scoop on the upcoming trends!
RESCU: On the cusp of the opening of several Vince Camuto shoe boutiques across Australia, what do you feel your brand brings to the Australian market?
John Camuto: We believe that Vince Camuto carries a wide variety of silhouettes, and styles which will cater to the fashion forward individual giving her, her unique style. Vince Camuto allows a woman to be who she desires. We also believe that the Australian woman is more knowledgeable than ever, she knows what she wants. That is why you need to give her style, quality, and comfort all in one to create great value. Without this bundle you are just like any other brand.
We believe we are filling a white space in the market, no one has the quality, comfort or style that we provide at a specific price point. This quality/style is unheard of at this price point. The product is contemporary, accented with modern style, unique detail, and always timeless in its interpretation.
RESCU: What are the upcoming international shoe trends?
John Camuto: Single soles shoes are taking over platforms, in that note everything is becoming lower from shaft height (Winchell, biker boot) to heel height. Wedges are coming back lower, however the construction will have more of a curve throughout, making the wedge look lighter. Rounder toes on pumps and thicker heels. Mixed materials, and textures that are natural and rich. Moto boots and booties remain the key items to have this season, in addition the black and white concept is coming back strong.
RESCU: What are some celebrity collaborations you have done? What is on the horizon for Vince Camuto?
John Camuto: We acquired the master licence for Jessica Simpson in 2005, and made it a $1b business in less than 10 years through 28 categories. We are now focusing and growing the Vince Brand. With over 31 categories, domestic and international store openings we are concentrating our energy on bringing the Vince Camuto lifestyle brand to the next level.
Visit: vincecamuto.com.au
Luxury boutique Skin and Threads are opening the doors of their third store this Friday at Chadstone, celebrating the arrival with a collaboration with coffee house Sensory Lab and the release of the label’s AW13 collection. Over the opening weekend of the 19th to the 20th of April, freshly roasted coffee will be available in-store. The Skin and Threads philosophy of casual, understated elegance translates perfectly into their aesthetic, which is focused around natural, quality fabrics and simple sophistication. It seems fitting that the perfect accessory for the label’s basics, footwear, denim and knitwear be a cup of Melbourne’s finest coffee!
The Sensory Lab café takes coffee to new levels with its concern for the individual tastes of the customer and focus on premium methods and ethical sourcing. The coffee house offers not only a variety of brewing methods but also walks customers through a series of sensory tests with tasting notes from specially-selected beans. Not only are they in tune with the Skin and Threads affinity with quality, but also encapsulate Melbourne’s esteemed coffee culture!
The store also boasts a sublime interior envisioned and executed by the architects DM Studio, who have created an intimate, elegant space within the Chadstone shopping centre. Skin and Threads melds fashion label and lifestyle philosophy, maintaining a belief that ethical fashion is a real and wearable fashion choice. This is refreshingly evident in the AW13 lookbook, modeled by Australian model Emma Balfour and featuring exquisite alpaca and merino wool knits, cashmere pieces, oversized masculine coats and jackets, along with Italian-made leather brogues in cream and navy. Not to be missed- this weekend, or this winter.
Visit: skinandthreads.com
Despite the fact that mornings are growing ever-chillier here in Australia, in the case of the European fashion houses, Spring has sprung!
Of all the new season collections, Closet Case is most enthused for the Chanel Spring-Summer collection, which is available in boutiques as of this month. Wrought in eponymous Chanel monochrome, the collection features stiff mesh bolero jackets in black and white decorated with oversized pearl buttons. And satin mesh dresses embroidered with pearls. And cotton tweed jackets with embroidered pearls! Pearl detailing was the stand-out look of the collection, transforming this traditionally conservative adornment into a youthful statement. The highlight of all of this pearl embellishment is a white viscose jacket with embroidered pearls that channels a sportswear shape made chic.
Shapes are boxy and masculine, with trousers skinny and skirts pencil-thin to make sure that the exaggerated bolero jacket is the star of the show. The bolero shape also extended to cropped jumper that mimicked the jacket in a softer fabric, with softly voluminous shoulders and waffle indented texture suggesting a new incarnation of the winter jumper.
Closet Case can envision incorporating several of these pieces (did we mention the bolero jackets?) into our Autumn transitional wardrobe, then layering with coats and knits later in the season. We love!
Visit: chanel.com
