Vancouver shop notes: 5 minutes with Stuart Weitzman

Date March 9, 2011

Vancouver’s accessory fiends are flocking to the city’s first Stuart Weitzman store (Pacific Centre, 609 Granville St., stuartweitzman.com). The 1,300-square-foot store, which features the designer’s signature grey-and-vanilla-toned interior design concept, houses handbags and more than 200 styles of footwear.

What was your inspiration this season? “For spring, I was comfortable using lots of textures, especially braiding, raffia and wovens. I had fun with bold, bright colours by not focusing on just one hot hue, but rather experimenting, using them all together in a beautiful hand-painted python [skin]. Plus, I added more chic flat sandals to the collection, as these are becoming more and more the summer staple of fashionable women around the globe.”

You create a huge range of shoes each season. Are they all intended for the same woman? “When I create the various ideas that make up a collection, I am thinking of the many diverse personalities of women—the fashionista, celebrity, career woman, ultrachic and bride.”

What are your three favourite shoe styles for spring? “That’s like choosing a favourite child—impossible! But I can tell you my three favourite trends of the season: the minimalistic flat sandal, lanyard braiding detail and the mid-heel.”