It seems that notched crepe soles are in the process of becoming as popular as the famous Louboutin reds. Camillia Skovgaard’s creations, which bring together the practicality of ergonomics and fantastical designs, have won over everyone from Nathalie Massenet of Net-a-porter to Halle Berry and Rihanna.
Before becoming an award-winning shoe designer, Skovgaard spend 7 years as a clothing designer for Dubai’s high society women. She developed a strong sense of aesthetics and details that, when later combined with the techniques she learned at London’s Cordwainers shoe college, made her into a fascinating creator.
Disappointed by the lack of visibility of her work due to local Arab customs, the Danish Skovgaard left the UAE for London in 2000 in order to dedicate her self to what she considered her real vocation: shoe-making. Despite having many years experience as a clothing designer, she started all over again by enrolling in Cordwainers where she learned the necessary techniques.
Skovgaard had not yet graduated when the design awards started rolling in: “Innovation in Fashion Award 2002″, “Award for Excellence in Footwear 2003″, and “Young Designer of the Season Award 2003.”
When she decided to start her own line in 2006 (after spending yet another three years refining her technique at the Royal College of Art), success was almost immediate – Saks Fifth Avenue bought her first collection while she was still a student. Mathew Williamson noticed her and asked her to design shoes for his label, a collaboration that lasted 7 year and that gave Skovgaard visibility.
The Times U.K. declared that her heels were intended for the intellectual fashionista, and the press was at her feet. Her designs bring together refinement, technical innovations and comfort, the latter point being much appreciated by the fashion editors who are used to suffering long hours in their high heels.
Camilla Skovgaard shoes might be terribly original but their value also lies in their construction. Skovgaard reveals that before thinking about design, she thinks about function as she knows that comfort is priceless for her clients.
Halle Berry
That being said, their modern, innovative style has earned them appearances in the top fashion pages. Vogue, W, and even Harper’s Bazaar have put Skovgaard’s name on the fashionistas’ wish lists. In 2007, after recently starting her own line, Skovgaard was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Scholar Award for Excellence in British Craftsmanship. Many other awards followed, including the Swarovski Emerging Talent-Accessories at the 2009 British Fashion Awards and the Accessories Designer of the Year award at ELLE Style Awards 2010.
At 37, she has more than 116 points of sale around the world and is the good graces of a rising number of stars who have become addicted to her fluid, modern designs.
Camilla Skovgaard