Tout Nouveau Blog

The legendary Clarks shoes are launching an “Every shoe tells a story” competition through their Facebook page, in which they are inviting fans and shoe lovers alike to share their emotional connections to shoes! Many a girl I am sure will agree a safe place that encourages PDA’s towards the wonder that is shoes is more than overdue and more than welcome! There will also be prizes given out each day for the best story.

I myself have never been one to buy a pair of, dare I say, “cheap shoes”, as I am a firm believer in “you get what you pay for” and uncomfortable shoes just don’t fit the bill with me. This is not to say I have never bought a pair of inexpensive foot cushions (which is what shoes should be!). In fact, I regularly wear my converse and a pair of black gladiator sandals I bought in the sale. However, I am not afraid to splurge on a pair of pumps if I can see myself wearing them everyday of the week. I actually plan most of my outfits around my shoes as I think the right shoe can completely transform the way you look and feel – if the shoe fits (pun intended!).

My most extravagant purchase on shoes was a classic pair of Chanel T-bars, which I bought whilst on holiday in New York with my Birthday money. Needless to say, this is the only pair of shoes I have failed to wear more than twice – for fear of ruining them. I do, however, understand what a shame it is to keep them locked away never to be seen. Therefore, I felt this was the perfect opportunity to share them with you:

My favourite thing about these shoes is the infamous double “CC’s” on the back heal, as well as their soft Italian leather.

Thinking of Clarks shoes, when I was young my Mum would always take me to Clarks for my school shoes, as Clarks have always been known for good quality footwear that fit perfect to your feet (helped by the special shoe measuring machine we all loved so much). A story that my Mum has often told about me and Clarks shoes is how, when I was five years old we went into our local store and while my Mum was helping my sister buy shoes – I was busy organising and tidying the store. The genius that I am, I failed to realise I had been tidying next to a heater in my new cream trench coat and wound-up walking out of the store with a huge brown burn mark on my back – fun times!

This competition also got me thinking about Tout Nouveau’s failed attempt at finding emerging shoe designers during our quest for talent over the Summer. Most graduate designers had bought shoes from highstreet stores and amended them to suit their clothing collections. We were therefore left rather disheartened by the lack of trained shoe designers coming out of university, when there is such a passion for shoes among women, and increasingly men. I have therefore decided to use this accidental reminder to call out to recently graduated shoes designers and ask them to get in touch by sending in images of your original designs. We are looking for high-quality, innovative and fresh ideas from the Brian Atwood’s and Christian Louboutin’s of tomorrow. If you think this is you then send it on a post-it to info@toutnouveau.co.uk. We have also now dedicated a whole category on the Tout Nouveau Blog to the world of shoes and will regularly post to keep you updated on our search for the shoe designer of our dreams!

Ashlie Dixon

Tout Nouveau Partner