Archive for May, 2010

No Shrinking Violet!

Sunday, May 30th, 2010

Here’s our final showcase for Pearl, the brand new collection of vintage inspired bridal shoes from Rachel Simpson Shoes. It’s your time to shine Violet.

Violet 174A beautifully simple kitten heel style in pearlised ivory leather, adorned with soft raw edge flower detail finished with pearl and diamante cluster. Complete with all the superior features synonymous with the Rachel Simpson collection, the pearlised gold leather lining with signature brocade sock padded for extra comfort and the elegant comfort of a 4cm lower heel.

Deceptively delicate, but definitely no shrinking Violet.

Irresistible Isabella

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

Here’s our showcase of yet another beautiful shoe from the brand new Pearl Collection by Rachel Simpson Shoes.

Isabella 173Isabella is a multi-tasking style diva. A chic ivory satin kitten heel with ivory lace toe and vintage inspired soft point shape, boasting a beautiful ivory satin bow.

Isabella’s elegant yet comfortable 4cm lower heel, complete with pearlised gold leather lining with signature brocade sock and suede finish matt leather sole is a truly artistic addition to the new Rachel Simpson collection.

Fur Coat No Knickers Bares All

Monday, May 24th, 2010

We love all things vintage at Rachel Simpson Shoes and every now and again we get to work with some equally amazing vintage suppliers. Our interview this time is with the wonderful Fur Coat No Knickers, previously costume designers for the West End and now a boutique dedicated to vintage bridal wear – a relaxed place full of gorgeous vintage wedding dresses that can be customised and fitted to your size and taste. Let’s find out more about them…

Tell us a bit about your company
We are a vintage bridal company and I , Laura Thomas and Emma Cascarina own it. We have originally come from a theatre background, designing costumes and we have worked at The National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company and also a lot of well known productions in London’s West End.

How did you get into the industry?
We decided one day we would love a shop where we could sell vintage accessories and vintage frocks from 1920s to 1960s. Somewhere we would offer a service of fitting and customising any dress to suit the customer.

FCNKWhat’s your best seller?
The most popular dresses in our shop are from the 1950s and ‘Eva‘ shoe by Rachel Simpson Shoes is a big favourite.

Kimn CattrellCelebrity shoppers, anyone we know?
No celebs yet in the shop but many a happy hour spent with the likes of Kim Cattrell, Dame Judy Dench and the like when we were costume designers. So when they do start coming in, we know how to give our customers the Star treatment!

What are you looking forward to for the rest of the year? Product launches, travel, shows, exhibitions?
The National Wedding show is one of our favourites to attend and we are looking forward to stocking Rachel’s new collection. We are also launching our new collection of birdcage veils which will be in the shop at the beginning of June.

Describe your personal fashion style
Our style is very classic and we love wearing Black and White!

Think back to your first ‘shoe’ purchase when you were younger, describe them please
When I was a child it was the classic round school brown Clarks sandal T Bar…..awful!!

Eva 121What is your favourite pair of Rachel Simpson shoes?
Has to be Eva!

Describe Rachel Simpson Shoes in three words
Hot to Trot! …. stylish, fabulous and comfortable!

Go with the Flo!

Friday, May 21st, 2010

Our new Pearl collection is inspired by the 20s and 30s, but there’s always one that likes to stand out from the crowd and Flo is our girl. Taking inspiration from the 1950s, this classic peep-toe with overlay detail and elegant rouching is the ultimate in versatility.

Flo 176Flo can change her style and character to suit any occasion, appreciated for her own simplicity and elegance or teamed with a variety of our shoe-clips, like our diamante scattered ivory feather butterflies for a truly dramatic look.

Simply heavenly in pearlised ivory leather upper with delicate metallic champagne leather binding and chic 6cm heel for all day comfort.
Signature finishing touches including pearlised gold leather lining and suede finish matt leather sole. Easy come easy Flo!

Butterfly lowAvailable in sizes 36-43 and priced at £145. The beautiful feather and diamante butterfly shoe clips are presented in their own gorgeous presentation box and priced at £40 per pair.

A Whiter Shade of Pearl

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

Here at Head Office we’re excitedly packing up our shoes and putting together finishing touches in preparation for a really exciting event this weekend at the Saatchi Gallery in London.

Verity windowRachel Simpson Shoes has been invited to showcase some of our designs at the White Gallery, a prestigious, international event for bridal designers. We’ll be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Amanda Wakeley, Katzi Jewellery and Sassi Holford and it will be our chance to showcase the beautiful new Pearl collection and to tease visitors and press with a glimpse of something special we’ll be launching later in the year.

A Girl’s Bessie Friend

Monday, May 17th, 2010

The Rachel Simpson Shoes showcase features an artist’s dream. Bessie is part of the brand new vintage-inspired bridal collection, Pearl and is the perfect blank canvas, made to wear as an understated classic, but born to adorn with gemstone and pizzazz.

Bessie 175This versatile two-part round toe style is dressed in ivory satin with elegant cut-out detail on the backpart.

Bessie 175 (clip detail)The perfect partner for our organza and lace flower shoe-clip worn either on the front or back.

With a comfortable, wearable 7.5cm heel, pearlised gold leather lining with signature brocade sock and suede finish matt leather sole, Bessie is a girl for all seasons.

Available in sizes 36-43 and priced at £150.

The Delectable Miss Darcy

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

The Rachel Simpson Shoes showcase highlights another of our beauties from the brand new Pearl collection.

Darcy is our prima ballerina – full of grace and feminine style. She looks delightful in her ivory satin upper, pearlised gold leather lining with signature brocade sock and suede finish matt leather sole.

Darcy 178Her delicate champagne leather detail and jewels bring a little sophistication to this ballerina-esque two-part round toe style with elegant backpart detail.

A lower 6cm heel and strap with diamante buckle ties this vintage beauty up in a big fat bow! Available is sizes 36-43 and priced at £155.

Snap Happy!

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

We’ve just returned from an amazing day in London, shooting the latest lifestyle photos for our recently launched collection – Pearl.

Court Shoe windowAn early start, a mammoth make-up session and plenty of costume changes resulted in the most gorgeous images courtesy of Missy Mo Photography.

Outside behind scenes lowA big thank you to Missy Mo Photography, Make-up Artist – Hannah Wing, Designer – Joe McCombe, Model – our very patient model Verity, all shot on location at Molton House

We hope you love them as much as we do.

Captivating Carmen

Saturday, May 8th, 2010

Here’s another of our shoe showcases dedicated to our brand new Pearl Collection, a range of simply beautiful vintage inspired bridal shoes.

Carmen 172Carmen is just a little bit of what you fancy…

She’s electric, passionate, desirable and just a little bit fruity! Carmen oozes 1920s style and elegance in an ivory satin t-bar with a beautiful two-tone fan shaped detail in palest rose and metallic peach suede.

With the fan detail subtly echoed on the backpart, a concealed platform for elegant heels with all day comfort and pearlised gold leather lining with signature brocade sock, Carmen will have you captivated and completely under her spell.

Carmen 172 (detail) lowAvailable in sizes 36-43, Carmen is £165 and ready to pre-order now!

Vote for your winner

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

With every newspaper and TV programme concentrating on the General Election and who is going to be the country’s next political leader, we thought we’d ask you the all important question…which Rachel Simpson Shoe is your favourite? Who would be the top of your leader board?

Duchess 164 (with clip)We would struggle at RSS HQ to find just one amongst the vintage bridal and occasion shoes that we design, but you are kind enough to send us photographs of your special day, wearing your special shoes.

Roxy 158 (Cut-out)So, whilst deciding on where to put your ‘X marks the spot’ at the polls today, tell us or even better show us your all time favourite Rachel Simpson Shoe.

Mimi 128You might love the classic, girl next door Mimi or you might be tempted by the party girl Roxy or you might fancy the chances of one of our new girls like Duchess for example. Whomever you choose, you can leave your comments on our blog or log on to our website for a peak at the contenders.