A pair of satin heel and sparkle sole pumps, with nude lace and Swarovski crystals, has been declared the winning design in a competition by Rene Caovilla. Its creator, Emirati Ahad Bin Haider, was one of four GCC creatives selected by the Italian luxury shoe label for its first Middle Eastern shoe-design competition earlier this month.
Buthaina Fahad, Dalia Darwish, Suhaila Al Shaali and Ahad Bin Haider began the design process by participating in a workshop hosted by a Venetian shoe artisan, who was flown into Dubai. Once they were familiar with the brand’s history, ethos, vision and techniques, the four designers began to recreate a pair of shoes that was in keeping with the brand’s signature styles, yet with their own flair.
Fahad reworked Rene Caovilla’s snake sandals, rendered in black satin and four-inch pump heels with a crystal snake making its way from front to back. Darwish also created a black satin pump with Swarovski crystal ankle cuffs extending to the heel. Al Shaali used black Swarovski crystals and black satin fabric in her pointy-strappy sandal with three-inch heels.
Winner Haider, meanwhile, worked with the theme “dream shoes” for her sleek tie-up Signora Chic heels. She says: “I have designed a piece inspired by jewels around the feet, with glamorous elements that catch the eye. Think breathtaking diamond cuts, classic chandeliers and crystals that reflect beauty everywhere.”
The pair will be produced in Rene Caovilla’s factories and sold by the end of this year exclusively in the region for six months.
