Last night was the grand opening of the pop-up store in Paris with Belledonne footwear. As the holiday season is coming upon us, pop-up stores are a perfect venue for your shopping while in Paris. Slow fashion brands in the EU always promise to create something unique and hidden gems in Europe.
Belledonne is one of those brands that, after Fashion Week, released their collection in time for the seasons, upcoming holidays, and beyond. Despite heavy rains, the grand opening event was well attended, with a DJ spinning great music throughout the night. With drinks and the designers on hand to celebrate their work, I was able to talk about their brand's philosophy and work. From their website:
'At Belledonne, we believe that every step is an elevation.
Our sneakers are more than just shoes, they embody a philosophy, rooted in our origins, a mountain range in the French Alps.'
One of the designers took me on a personal tour of the shoes, explaining that they were designed to be unisex, with a separate collection for women and men. The footwear is meticulously crafted by hand in Portugal, using older stock to minimize waste. The leatherwork is of the highest quality, and they are dedicated to maintaining a clear path from materials to the final product. Both designers hail from the mountains of Southern France, which served as the inspiration for this collection.
They incorporated elements of climbing gear and pieces of earth to capture the essence and mood of the pieces. Drawing inspiration from styles of the seventies and fifties, they created a timeless and stylish design that is both classic and chic for the season. Newer materials have been introduced in the soles and bottoms of the shoes to enhance durability and comfort.
The collection is limited in production, and they are already working on a sustainable hiking shoe for the future. Belledonne Paris is not just posh, but a beacon of sustainability and a testament to the power of conscious consumerism!
(All photos courtesy of Michael Foust of the designer collections in October 2024 in Paris, hosted by Belledonne Paris & Caroline Charles Communication)
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