(Fashion)
Karlie Kloss' Stylist Designed These Shoes (& They're Surprisingly Affordable)
You may not be able to get the star treatment from celebrity stylist Karla Welch, but you can buy shoes she designed for Cole Haan's newest collection. Welch — who counts women like Karlie Kloss, Busy Philipps, and Tracee Ellis Ross has clients — teamed up with the accessories brand to create the Stylist Collaboration that'll have you red-carpet ready. (Or at least looking good for a night out.)
Hot on the heels of collaborations with both Levi's and Hanes, Welch — whose signature is mixing the luxe with the traditionally mundane in magazine editorials, on the red carpet, and IRL — was tapped by Cole Haan to design six shoes ranging from reimagined pumps to a standout hiking boot. Launching on Sept. 6, the capsule runs from $170-$270 and melds Cole Haan's classic silhouettes with the creative vision of a stylist to the stars resulting in unique and wearable footwear to add to your shopping cart ASAP.
In addition to her impressive list of clients, Welch's network combines with her own social media following makes her one of the most powerful names in the industry, so it's no mystery why brands are grabbing hold of stylist's fresh point of view to bring in new ideas.
"Karla’s design aesthetic blends modern minimalism, structured, sophistication, and effortless cool," read a press release from Cole Haan. "She draws on ideas across contemporary and historical fashion, allowing her to chart new territory with each project."
The range of styles within the new capsule provide an option for almost any occasion: The ZERØGRAND Skimmer and Oxford, both known for their lightweight and functional design, were given a sophisticated sparkle while the 3.5-inch Vesta Pump, a best-selling style, became an outfit maker with Welch's stylist touch. Its little sister, the Vesta Pump with a 1.75-inch heel, mixes the capsule's color palette of millennial pink and deep red, as does the GRANDEXPLØRE All Terain Waterproof Hiker, which is equal parts fashion and function. The luxe, red Blair Bootie rounds out the group with a modern shape and rich color that make it a must-have for the season.
Though the mix of shoe styles may seem unlikely for this capsule, the combination of high-low is actually what inspired Welch. "I love a kitten heel, I love a bootie, I love a sneaker — and how those can work cohesively as a visual story," said Welch in a promotional video for the collection.
Welch is in good company for the collaboration, as stylists Erin Walsh and Simone Harouche also brought their creative eye and aesthetic to their own individual capsules for the brand — all of which will be released in tandem. Walsh, who works with Alison Brie, Lily Aldridge, Kerry Washington, and Sarah Jessica Parker, incorporated warm hues in plaid and velvet to make for very Instagrammable pieces. And Harouche — who counts women like Kim Kardashian, Nicole Richie, and Christina Aguilera as clients — brought an edgier vibe to her capsule with the use of metallics and sleek black mesh.
The first six styles from the Cole Haan Stylist Collaboration are available on the brand's website as well as in New York City’s Rockefeller Center store, Los Angeles’ Century City store, and in select Cole Haan Japan stores starting Sept. 6 (with the rest of the styles rolling out throughout fall) — just in time for you to put your best foot forward for the season.