Charlotte Olympia Dellal is inspired by Old Hollywood glamour—a passion evident not only in her designs, but in her person as well.
When we met the renowned shoe designer her flawless red lip, pinup curls and elegant emerald dress evoked Rita Hayworth’s glory days. She’s like Glinda the Good to Dita von Tease’s sultry Elphaba. A graduate of Cordwainers—London’s historical footwear academy—Olympia lauched her brand in 2008 and shot to stardom when her whimsical, Italian-crafted pumps were championed by who else but Carrie Bradshaw. Soon, her adorable kitty-flats—a feat in marrying cuteness with adult sophistication—became an obsession among the, uh, well-heeled. But the imaginative glory of Olympia's designs extend far beyond the feline: ice cream heels teeter on four-inch cones, a line of pumps come bedecked in astrological signs and a vermillion sandal sports a Schiaparelli lobster. Olympia wore one such pair of crustaceans while chatting with Vancouver editor Adrienne Matei about diamonds, champagne and seafood allergies.
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