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Bacarolle, the luxury diffusion line by coveted shoe designer Jane Brown, has experienced a great deal of success in its three season infancy. Now moving its production to factories in Spain, we caught up with Jane Brown herself for insight into the brands background and what it has in store for the future....
Q - Tell us about your background as a designer
A - I have had many a career before I took the plunge and went into shoe design. I used to work for a film director as his personal assistant – focusing mainly on the production side. In Africa, Kenya, I was given as job for the U.N. as International Conference Organiser – great fun – lots of languages, organizational skills and diplomacy. They all provided me with a solid background of employment history and skills to assist in my current career.
Q - What fascinates you about shoes?
A - Not all shoes fascinate me – really well-made ones visually striking ones do, or really old ones which have absorbed the personality of the owner. Also what fascinates is how a different shoe can alter a mood, ruin an outfit or make it. I love the smell of leather and also the sound of it the sound of walking in a pair of really thick leather boots – I love how the leather of the shoe or boot is so different in texture to the leather of the sole. I love cleaning shoes. It’s one of the best materials in the world to work with. And what’s fascinating is to see an incredibly delicate leather sandal and to see a socking great hunting boot – there’s so much variety in shoe-making. Best of all is how a great pair of shoes or boots, if they look good and fit well, make the owner feel so good.
Q - What is the concept behind the Bacarolle brand
A - The Concept of Bacarolle is to make luxury more affordable and to aim at slightly younger market. My luxury line, Jane Brown shoes, are distinguished by their smooth lines and sculpted feel. They are timeless and use only the finest materials to create a really feminine shoe. As I am qualified as both a shoe designer and a shoe maker (I trained with John Lobb after my course at Cordwainers), I understand the importance of balance and fit and work together with factories to the very final point on heels and lasts as well as beautiful designs. All of these qualities on my luxury line are handed down to the diffusion line, these too are beautiful shoes made by a woman for women. Most designers in the luxury market cannot really understand the mentality behind a shoe for a woman because they are all men.. Jane Brown Shoes and Bacarolle absorb all of my own passion for shoes, and, as I am a size 37 I can fit test them all. The one difference with Bacarolle is that it is a more affordable option as it is made outside of Italy. I also try for a more fun and carefree feel to the Bacarolle brand.
Q - Describe a typical Bacarolle wearer.
A - A typical Bacarolle wearer is someone between 20 and 35 – she may work, have a family, do both. She’s into good things, good food, a great lifestyle, gorgeous clothes. She wants to find beautiful exciting things across the board. She’s fun, thoughtful, has integrity and she’s very feminine.
Q - How successful has the brand been so far?
A - Very. We expected a certain amount of client at our first 2 seasons – we got 5 times that amount. It felt so satisfying to start selling to the boutiques and shops which never buy a £300.00 shoe. We were also surprised at how much strong interest came from the luxury department stores, who usually only concentrate on the top luxury brands like our principal line, Jane Brown, which retails for about £350.00.
Q - Where are the shoes produced?
A - Bacarolle is produced in Spain. The quality is superb - the Spanish have generations of shoe-making experience, like the Italians. They have a different touch and it’s hugely enjoyable to work with them. This “touch” totally suits the styling of Bacarolle.
Q - Where can buyers find the label this season?
A - Bacarolle will be at Micam, in a Milan showroom and with a New York agent and also at The Kensington Shoe Event. We work with 2 UK agents who are always on call. Micam is the most important European shoe fair. Kensington brings in lots of British buyers, a Milan showroom is always a great international magnet.
Q - What are your plans for the future of the brand?
A - I see Bacarolle experiencing very major international wholesale growth, with the addition of small leathergoods, leather coats and jackets.
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