Chau Har Lee Shoegasm

I havent posted any shoe finds in ages, while searching for some shoe designs I came across this amazing ones by designer Char Har Lee, Char is a London Based shoe designer, her designs are absolutely genius so I was quick to ask her whether she'll be willing to take part in an interview so we can all get to know more about her and her designs.

Here it goes... 

Tell us a little about yourself.


I’m Chau, I’m a footwear designer and have been working in footwear and accessories for about 8 years now. I recently finished a Masters at the Royal College of Art in Footwear Design and now about to launch my own footwear label.

When and how did you realise you wanted to become a shoe designer.

I have always enjoyed making things. My mother always encouraged me to pursue my creative side. I studied an Art Foundation course at Camberwell College and met shoe designer Olivia Morris, she set us a shoe project and I found it was the perfect mix of my favourite subjects- textiles and sculpture. So I went to the open day at Cordwainers College in Mare Street, London and applied for the BA course in Footwear, which I completed in 2002. Since then I have always been involved in working in shoes, accessories and leather goods.

In one of your profiles, you mentioned Luigi Colani and Pierre Cardin as your main inspirations, why this two?

I always look to other disciplines to be inspired and through my research for this collection, these are two of designers who struck me as visionary.

Your shoe collection have a futuristic and architectural look to them, but wearable at the same time, how did you manage to achieve this?

This collection was a chance for me to experiment with materials and processes and push the boundaries of conventional shoemaking.

It was a massive learning curve as I used materials and techniques which were completely new to me. For example, in order to achieve the look and the correct fit, I learnt to use a 3D computer program and had a shoe engineered out of one piece of resin. I had pieces laser cut and used techniques from across disciplines. I drew on my experience from traditional shoemaking to ensure the shoes fit.

What materials did you use to create such innovative shoes.

I used materials such as stainless steel, walnut wood, acrylic and leather to make these shoes.

 As a shoe designer, I assume you obviously love shoes, so how many pair of shoes do you own?

I am extremely fussy about buying shoes- I don’t think I have that many….maybe about 30 pairs- and that includes sneakers and flats.

Who are your favourite designers / shoe designers?

My favorite designers are Margiela, Dries van Noten and Balenciaga.

Describe your own personal style

I think I’m quite laid back and no-fuss. I know what I like and what I don’t, but open-minded at the same time.

Name an item from your wardrobe you cant be without

I’m not so precious about my own wardrobe- more so about my mothers- I borrow a lot of clothes and jewellery from her.

What are your plans for the future?

I am in the process of moving into a studio in East London where I can work on my next collection, which I will be showing in 2010.

I also will be continuing to teach shoe design and making courses in London.

Are your shoes available to buy, if so where and when?

They are currently being developed and will be available to buy in the not too distant future, either through my website or available to order at my studio in East London.

Alice's adventures in Wonderland

It seems like such a coincidence, I came across the trailer for the new Alice in Wonderland movie which I cant wait to see, I love Tim Burton's work,

I came across the trailer and a few hours later I saw these collection of jewelries by Copenhagen based designer Alidra Alic.

Her Fairy tale, dreamy collection is titled "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland", the collection is inspired by floral motifs from the romantic era in the 1800s.
Alidra used mostly resin and plastic to create these pieces, other materials like freshwater pearls was also used for the"Drink Me" ring, as well as gold and silver.
My favourites are the Orchid ones.

Queen's Wardrobe

I've got another online shop to add to my long list of favourite places to shop, earlier today I got a lovely email from Nikio introducing me to her fantastic Online shop Queen's Wardrobe .

Having had a look, I think its safe to say that I'm in awe with Nikio's shop, there are so many unique and stunning pieces. Here are just a few of my favourites.

Let yourself feel

Esteban Diácono is an Argentinian motion graphics designer and I absolutely love his recent his recent animation project.

The project is inspired by the music of Olafur Arnalds, an amazing musician from Iceland who I love love love, this animated video is titled Let yourself feel, it features a colourful animated smoke which changes shape and colour through the film, the smoke is accompanied with a variety of quotes from artists such as Brian Eno, Albert Einstein and many more.

I personally think this video is beautiful and very creative, you can view more of Esteban's work here

let yourself feel. from Esteban Diácono on Vimeo.

Helpless Romantic Headwear

Helpless Romantic is by London designer Milo Li-ren Mckeand, she creates a whole lot of pretty and playful custom jewelries and accessories.

This two lovely headwear are one of my favourites pieces from her shop, the blue one is modelled by the very lovely Miss Lou Lou.

Bright, lovely Nabila

This is Nabila, she added me on flickr a little while back and I absoloutely love her style,

She has a whole lot of lovely, bright vintage pieces, her photography is playful, unique and colourful, she also likes to play dress up...

Here are a few facts about Nabila

• She's allergic to hot weather, oily food and sweat
• She doesn't wear make-up
• She started to practise karate when she was 15 years old
• She used to collect stamps when she was a kid and
• Her first obsession are bags

Have a look at her Photostream for more of Nabila's gorgeous and quirky outfits, also have a look at her 22 things about me project to view the pictures that go along with some facts about Nabila.

Neurotica + Topshop Collaboration

Some of you will know that I've been following the work of london based label Neurotica by designer Victoria for a while now and I was ever so delighted to see this video previewing some of the pieces from her collaboration with Topshop for the AW 09 collection.

The collection features Victoria's design trademark of playful geometric prints and hand drawn illustrations.

A for afro

London based photographer Errol recently started a project titled 'Do you have an Afro', the project involves Errol taking portrait pictures of people with Afro's. Having put out an advert inviting anyone with an afro to model for his project, a number of people have already replied to the advert.

I think this project is absolutely fantastic, so if you have an afro and would like to take part in this project, you can email Errol himself here or in the mean time you can see some more of the project here.

Here are some of the results so far.

Also there's this A for Afro Illustration by illustrator and graphic designer DP Sullivan, this is part of his alphabet illustrations which features each letter of the alphabet, sadly they seem to have sold out from his Etsy shop, however I'm hoping he'll make more of them because I think they are absolutely clever.

Noir et Blanc SS10 Collection

Noir et Blanc, is a Swedish brand by designer Petra Thoms and Linnea Carlgren, and like the name of the brand suggests, the designers often make use of the colours black and white to create striking prints for their pieces.

Their most recent collection has a strong yet feminine silhouette with geometrical shapes.

De Nada Knit pieces

I got a lovely Email from designer Virginia Arrisueno introducing me to her label De Nada, I liked what I saw so I thought I should share them with you all.

Washington DC based designer Virginia creates handmade knit accessories using a variety of methods like knitting, braiding and crotcheting. She gets a number of inspirations from her Peruvian heritage and her most recent autumn and winter 09 collection includes charming pieces with a variety of textures, I personally think these pieces would be perfect for layering come autumn.

Visionary Glasses from Junkprints

The way trends come and go can be ever so strange when you think about it, when I was younger I used to have a not so amazing geeky glasses and I can remember they weren't the greatest thing to wear if you wanted to be on the "cool list", but now everywhere I go there seems to be someone wearing a geeky glasses and still managing to look "cool".

I absolutely love the geeky look, however my favourite take on this geeky glasses trend are these ones by Junk Prints. Junk Prints is by artist Chanel Kennebrew, she's a graphic designer, illustrator and designer and I think these glasses are humourous, playful and a fresh take on the oh so "cool" trend.

Denise Reytan eco jewelry

Berlin based Jewelry designer Denise Reytan creates eco-friendly pieces using unusual materials including silicone and rubber, recycled objects as well as other day to day bits and pieces.

Denise arranges all of this together to create colourful necklaces like these

She also likes to make Collages

Butterfly Accessories

Ever since I came across the illustration Lina Klingels did of Alexandra Mcqueens butterfly headdress for Preen Magazine over a year ago which I also featured in a previous post I have been insearch for any head wear with a whole lot of butterflies.

I think the closest I've come are these handmade ones by Which Goose.

Which Goose designs natural hair crowns and accessories made from dried natural vines which the designer collects from favorite walking paths. Other materials she uses are mostly artificial flowers made from plastic and silk fabric.

When the dried natural vines are picked, they are woven and protected with a clear sealant. According to Which Goose, she tries hard to be "ecologically responsible" with all her supplies.

Which Goose has a whole lot of lovely and whimscal pieces at her Etsy shop, you her find more here

and another by Doloris Petunia

Doloris designs custom made necklaces from old and broken jewelry as well as one of a kind handmade accesories which I think are absolutely stunning, you can have a look at her Etsy shop for more of her work.

Fleur Goenendorp - Paper Accesories

Fleur Goenendorp uses everyday materials like paper to design unique and stunning head pieces such as neck ruffless and many other accessories and decorations.

Fleur basically slices Paper and plaits them to to create this amazing pieces, the pink shoulder pieces is my favourite, its made made from red and white kitchen string all tied together. It all sounds so easy but i bet it isn't, i personally think the use of day to day materials to create this amazing pieces is just so so clever.

Babbu by Cristina Onofri

Babbu is an Italian Label by designer Cristina Onofri, her recent autumn/winter collection is ever so adorable, it includes lovely shapes with very soft and feminine details with vibrant colours.

The first white dress with the quirky clown collar is my favourite.

Anna Wegelin Forbidden Colours and drawings

If I could have my way, I'll own every one of Anna Wegelins designs, not only is Anna a Fashion Designer, she is also an Illustrator.

Anna was born in Almaty, Kazakhstan and is currently studying Fashion and Design in Hamburg, her recently collection titled Forbiden colours include tie dye pieces with a whole lot of stunning bright colours.

Her illustrations are also very eye catching with a unique technique.

Fringe necklaces

I've been coming across a number of fringe necklaces via Etsy (i'm super addicted, just cant help myself) and I have to say that my favourite so far are this Dip Dyed necklaces by Three Horses.


They are all hand dyed and I absolutely love the colours.

Moving to the Loced side

EDIT: I think I posted this earlier, but my crappy laptop charger went off, oh well here it goes again, moving on...

Just late last year I decided to stop straightening my hair and I recently did the Big Chop, however I've been in a bit of a dilema, for a few weeks now, I've been wearing my hair all braided and I absolutely love that I dont have to detangle my hair.

Detangling my hair is not a hassel, its just that i'm a wee bit lazy and just cant be bothered, which is when the "Maybe I should loc my hair" idea poped into my head.

Then I start to think what if I get bored and want my afro back, decisions, decisions decisions....
Coming across sites like Le Coil, I love my Locs, Natural beautiful hair and of course Flickr has definitely convinced me to sway towards the loced side.

I guess only time will tell, however as soon as all the information i need and find out where I can find a good Loctician somewhere in London or Bristol (any suggestions...) then I'm pretty sure I'll be getting my hair loced, i'm quite excited.

In the mean time I cant help but stare in admiration at these amazing, lovely and stunning locs.

The painted series

The Painted Series is a project by designer Saskia van Drimmelen, Saskia along side a team of both Dutch and Bulgarian designers and artists create 'a series of garments in progress' all inspired by antique Bulgarian fashion pieces.

All the pieces in this collection are handmade, they include layered and sheer pieces, I like the delicate, feminine and subtle look of this collection.

In September Saskia and her team will be collaborating with Pascale Gatzen's students who study fashion design at the Parsons School of Design, there's more about this on their blog.

Gabriel and Schwan

Gabriel & Schwan is a German accessories label by designers Fenke Schwanand and Alex Gabriel. They have used a variety of different fabrics, materials and a whole lot of bright colours for their SS09 collection.

The collection includes purses/clutch bags with fringes and chain straps, roomy shoulder bags which I think can be used as a knap sack and then my favourite, the knotted necklaces which come in a variety of gorgeous colours which I think are now available online.