Lily Atherton-Hanbury and Katya Tyumentseva have teamed up on the launch Le Monde Beryl, a new footwear label offering an elevated version of the classic Venetian slipper.
The designers, who met while working at Phillips auctioneers, saw a gap in the market for flat shoes that can be worn from day to evening. Taking inspiration from Venetian slippers discovered during their travels, they created their own interpretation, designed to be worn with everything from jeans to a black-tie gown and aimed at women who are constantly on the go and don’t want to be slowed down by uncomfortable heels.
“I struggled to find the perfect, elegant flat shoe that could take me from the school run to work to the playground and then to an opening or dinner,” explained Atherton-Hanbury. “The Venetian slipper is the ideal shape, but they are not substantial enough for everyday wear and tear. So Katya and I decided to improve upon the shape by giving them a leather lining and sole and making them more durable, luxurious and structured.”
Le Monde Beryl’s interpretation of the slipper features a pointed-toe front panel and insoles that resemble a dancer’s shoe, for added comfort. The slippers come in an array of jewel-toned colors, drawing on the designers’ experience as gemologists and their love of precious stones, discovered during their time at Phillips Auctioneers.
Watch on FN
The brand name was also inspired by their favorite stone family, Beryl, which includes emerald, heliodor and acquamarine.
The available colors offer a rich palette — including a deep purple, dusty pink and burnt orange — in suede and velvet. The colors are also in line with the designers’ vision of displaying their product like the inside of a jewelry box.
Prices for the shoes range between 275 pounds or $395 for the suede versions and 285 pounds or $410 for the velvet.
Le Monde Beryl, has made its U.K. debut at Alex Eagle Studios, a fashion and lifestyle concept store in London’s Soho.
Alex Eagle, the store’s creative director said that the product’s commitment to craftsmanship and comfort, as well as its classic aesthetic resonated with the store’s ethos that looks beyond seasonal trends.
“We decided to buy into Le Monde Beryl, as I felt what the girls had created fit into our aesthetic of timeless, classic and beautifully made items where the focus is design and fit over trend or labels,” said Eagle, pointing out that the slippers quickly became a best-seller in the store. “There is a large gap for chic and comfortable flats, which modern life insists upon, and these fill it perfectly.”
A trunk show on Moda Operandi planned to launch in September will mark the brand’s U.S. debut. There are also plans to expand the offer to satin, as well as introduce men’s and children’s lines.
Want More?
FN Exclusive: Chatelles Collaborates With Le Meurice Hotel On Slipper Flat
15 Evening Flats That Are Chic Alternatives To Heels
Alumnae’s Kari Sigerson & Eliza Axelson-Chidsey On Why Flats Are The Way Forward For Resort ’17
