Chinese designer Vivienne Tam and Hong Kong-based brand Joy & Peace teamed up on a capsule collection of ornate laser-cut styles that debuted on the designer’s fall ’16 runway.
Here, Tam and Mandy Tang, deputy GM at Joy & Peace parent company Belle International Holdings Ltd., explain the steps that led to this elegant collaboration.
Step 1: A Need Arises
“I was looking for footwear to complement my ready-to-wear collection, which is about travel and harmony,” said Tam. “After some research, the answer was clear: Joy & Peace. I admire their quality and company mission, which fits in perfectly with the theme of my collection. It’s all about peace and harmony.”
Step 2: Discover Mutual Benefits
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While Tam is well established outside her native China, selling across Asia and at her New York flagship, Joy & Peace is a regional power player, founded in 1995 and with at least 500 stores in Hong Kong, Macau, China and Malaysia. For Joy & Peace, the partnership was an opportunity to exhibit its talents more widely. “We were delighted to see the art of Hong Kong style showcased at New York Fashion Week and in the international arena through the collaboration with Vivienne,” said Tang.
Step 3: Fuse Inspirations
Tam said she started working on the collection in her sleep. “I had a dream about traveling on the Silk Road to exotic locations in Central Asia, from Kazakhstan all the way to Russia,” she recalled. “I was fascinated by the local arts and crafts, including embroidery — their ikat and patchwork. Then I put all those elements together.” Tang agreed that the collection is a true mélange of references, “blending influences of indigenous cultures into a harmonious and beautiful mosaic.”
Step 4: Make It Wearable
The collaboration resulted in three styles, made in China, that are unique but also practical, with low or modest heels. Cutout boots with gold embellished block heels and v-vamp ankle boots with kitten heels are easy to navigate. There are also classic leather pumps embroidered with Chinese cloud pattern accents.
Step 5: Give It Legs
The collaborative shoes came to life on the runway, where they were paired with Tam’s flounce skirts, intarsia knits and patterned pantsuits. Priced at $385 for the tall boots, $255 for the ankle boots and $205 for the pumps, the footwear will be available this fall through the two companies’ combined impressive retail network.
Click through the slideshow to see more styles from the collection:
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