Jessica Pritchett, an American accessories designer and entrepreneur, will launch her debut collection this Autumn/Winter. Her line of footwear is made for a diverse mix of women - including those who do not fit fashion industry standards. The debut collection is crafted from rich patent leathers, vibrant suedes, and muted metallics from Tuscany. Styles include striking booties, fashion-forward pumps, and knee-high boots in sizes 6 to 13. I'm loving the nod to the 80s new wave music scene, and the bold designs of the collection! Jessica Pritchett was kind enough to share some information with me about what inspires her and what her shoes stand for. Keep reading for an inside look... 1. Who is the Jessica Pritchett woman? The Jessica Pritchett woman is someone who lives for shoes and demands quality. She is a confident and independent woman who wants to look and feel her best at all times. The Jessica Pritchett woman requires maximum style and seeks shoes that express her personality and individuality. Shoes are statement pieces for the Jessica Pritchett woman. 2. What inspirations did you draw from when you were designing your Fall/Winter 2010 collection? I drew inspiration from the 80s new wave music scene and maybe even a little bit from the 70s blaxploitation film era for this collection. I love the bold choices of color and design from those decades. 3. Which of the shoes from your debut collection do you consider must-haves for women? Is there a style that you yourself particularly love? I think the "Pam" ankle boot named for the 70s film icon Pam Grier is a must have for fall. The boot has color-block detail. It looks great with jeans or leggings and comes is so many cool jewel tones. The "Pam" in garnet is my favorite shoe from the collection.
The "Farrah" bootie, named for 80s television icon Farrah Fawcett is another "must have" for fall. I think it is an interesting take on the typical bootie with the gold color and sexy, cut-out front. It also has a 3-inch chunky heel that is stylish and extremely comfortable.
4. How does your background in music and the entertainment industry play a role in how you approach designing and selling shoes? Since I worked in the music industry for many years, the musicians and songwriters that I have encountered definitely have had a lasting impression on me. Pop culture was definitely on my mind when I designed my first collection. I am a pop culture junkie and I named each shoe after women who were symbols of their eras. For instance, my pump is named after Edie Sedgwick of Andy Warhol's Factory and my sling back is named for Donyale Luna, the first African-American woman to grace the cover of American Vogue. 5. What was the hardest part about starting your footwear line? The hardest part about starting my footwear line was finding a factory that was interested in doing larger sizes. Since I have a larger foot, I wanted other woman in my same situation to be able to wear my shoes. Most factories stop at an American size 11. A few factories do a 12 but it's a standard 12. I wanted to extend the sizes to 13 and do wide widths as well. 6. A lot of care goes into how your shoes are made can you share some of the details? All of my shoes are handmade in Northern Portugal. The Portuguese have a long tradition of shoemaking so there is a lot of care and expertise that goes into the craftsmanship. In addition to the craftsmanship, all of my shoes have a signature pink color painted on the soles. 7. What designer(s) do you look to for inspiration? Who do you aspire to be compared to in the future? I love the work of many shoe designers, but the one that really inspires me the most is Nicholas Kirkwood. His use of color and interesting leathers, especially exotic skins, is truly amazing. I love the way he has done interesting things with soles and heels. I can always spot his collection. In fact, the Fall/Winter 2010 collection that Nicholas Kirkwood designed for Rodarte with the candle-dripped heels is so creative.
For more images of the Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte FW 2010 shoes, see obsessedwithshoes.com
In the future, I just hope to be known as someone who loved shoes and wanted to make chic shoes for all women regardless of shoe size. 8. Anything else you'd like to say about your shoes/website/women's footwear? My collection will be available for purchase online at www.jessicapritchett.com in August, 2010. Keep checking my website for stores that are carrying the collection as well. This is one designer to keep an eye on. She plans to introduce handbags and possibly other accessories in the near future.
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Jessica Pritchett, an American accessories designer and entrepreneur, will launch her debut collection this Autumn/Winter. Her line of footwear is made for a diverse mix of women - including those who do not fit fashion industry standards. The debut collection is crafted from rich patent leathers, vibrant suedes, and muted metallics from Tuscany. Styles include striking booties, fashion-forward pumps, and knee-high boots in sizes 6 to 13. I'm loving the nod to the 80s new wave music scene, and the bold designs of the collection! Jessica Pritchett was kind enough to share some information with me about what inspires her and what her shoes stand for. Keep reading for an inside look...
1. Who is the Jessica Pritchett woman?
The Jessica Pritchett woman is someone who lives for shoes and demands quality.
She is a confident and independent woman who wants to look and feel her best at all times. The Jessica Pritchett woman requires maximum style and seeks shoes that express her personality and individuality. Shoes are statement pieces for the Jessica Pritchett woman.
2. What inspirations did you draw from when you were designing your Fall/Winter 2010 collection?
I drew inspiration from the 80s new wave music scene and maybe even a little bit from the 70s blaxploitation film era for this collection. I love the bold choices of color and design from those decades.
3. Which of the shoes from your debut collection do you consider must-haves for women? Is there a style that you yourself particularly love?
I think the "Pam" ankle boot named for the 70s film icon Pam Grier is a must have for fall. The boot has color-block detail. It looks great with jeans or leggings and comes is so many cool jewel tones. The "Pam" in garnet is my favorite shoe from the collection.
The "Farrah" bootie, named for 80s television icon Farrah Fawcett is another "must have" for fall. I think it is an interesting take on the typical bootie with the gold color and sexy, cut-out front. It also has a 3-inch chunky heel that is stylish and extremely comfortable.
4. How does your background in music and the entertainment industry play a role in how you approach designing and selling shoes?
Since I worked in the music industry for many years, the musicians and songwriters that I have encountered definitely have had a lasting impression on me. Pop culture was definitely on my mind when I designed my first collection. I am a pop culture junkie and I named each shoe after women who were symbols of their eras. For instance, my pump is named after Edie Sedgwick of Andy Warhol's Factory and my sling back is named for Donyale Luna, the first African-American woman to grace the cover of American Vogue.
5. What was the hardest part about starting your footwear line?
The hardest part about starting my footwear line was finding a factory that was interested in doing larger sizes. Since I have a larger foot, I wanted other woman in my same situation to be able to wear my shoes. Most factories stop at an American size 11. A few factories do a 12 but it's a standard 12. I wanted to extend the sizes to 13 and do wide widths as well.
6. A lot of care goes into how your shoes are made can you share some of the details?
All of my shoes are handmade in Northern Portugal. The Portuguese have a long tradition of shoemaking so there is a lot of care and expertise that goes into the craftsmanship. In addition to the craftsmanship, all of my shoes have a signature pink color painted on the soles.
7. What designer(s) do you look to for inspiration? Who do you aspire to be compared to in the future?
I love the work of many shoe designers, but the one that really inspires me the most is Nicholas Kirkwood. His use of color and interesting leathers, especially exotic skins, is truly amazing. I love the way he has done interesting things with soles and heels. I can always spot his collection. In fact, the Fall/Winter 2010 collection that Nicholas Kirkwood designed for Rodarte with the candle-dripped heels is so creative.
For more images of the Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte FW 2010 shoes, see obsessedwithshoes.com
In the future, I just hope to be known as someone who loved shoes and wanted to make chic shoes for all women regardless of shoe size.
8. Anything else you'd like to say about your shoes/website/women's footwear?
My collection will be available for purchase online at www.jessicapritchett.com in August, 2010. Keep checking my website for stores that are carrying the collection as well.
This is one designer to keep an eye on. She plans to introduce handbags and possibly other accessories in the near future.