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Fashion
is always fantasy. Shoes as transformation - a woman
in high heels walks differently; practical is all of a sudden
uplifted into something sensuous and coltish. The foot has
always been eroticized. In Paris, there is a designer out of
every Arabian Night fantasy with her line of beautiful, sexy, and
fabulously constructed shoes (think stability) with prices that
are not as high as those of the other grands couturiers of the
high-fashion footwear world. Karine Arabian is an artisan of
fashion, someone for whom each creation is an artistic
undertaking. She talks of palettes the way an artist would,
of shape the way a sculptor might and of the satisfaction of
finishing a new boot the way an architect might admire a house
just constructed.
Arabian
works out of a small atelier and shop in the picturesquely named
Rue Papillon in Paris's decidedly down-to-earth 9ème
arrondissement. She grew up in a family of artisans: her
grandfather was a cobbler and a bookmaker, her father a tailor -
perhaps the source of her attention to detail, to
craftsmanship. In earlier collections, Arabian was inspired
by Armenian filmmaker Sergei Paradjanov. His eccentric
collages, colorful palette and wild sense of composition are
reflected in her eclectic bags and shoe designs. Arabian has
designed jewelry for Chanel and dresses for her own line, but
today she delights in simply creating shoes and accessories.
For
her 2009 Spring/Summer collection, Arabian reprises retro 70's
colors with rich turquoises, light browns and yellow skin tones so
ephemeral that they appear almost sun-faded. She marries
materials such as lizard and crocodile to rounded elegant shapes
or angular high heel boots. Heavy lock-like buckles adorn
some pieces - fashion as protection and security.
Arabian
has resisted the siren call of joining larger fashion houses that
might curtail her artistic freedom. She easily convinces you
that she is happy just the way things are on Butterfly Street: a
designer, her shoes and an uncompromising artistic vision.
When in Paris, give in to fantasy….
Discover:
Karine
Arabian
Tags:
paris
jewelry
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