Coveting from the Backseat: FLARE Magazine x ALDO Limited Edition Snakeskin Wedges

The last pair of shoes showcased in our “Coveting from the Backseat” feature was a pair of Nicholas Kirkwoods retailing for $1,195. Before that, an $850 pair of Giuseppe Zanottis. Sensing a pattern? I am too; apparently, I have very expensive taste in footwear. The newest pair of shoes on my want list is just as luxe. With a genuine snakeskin wedge heel, neon orange insole and tubular black straps, the FLARE x ALDO collaboration shoe would look right at home next to those Kirkwoods or Zanottis. The only difference is, with a very reasonable price tag of $135, these babies are a steal.

I caught up with FLARE‘s Fashion Director Liz Cabral and ALDO’s lead designer Anna Sheldon at the collaboration’s launch party on April 26th at the ALDO boutique on Bloor Street in Toronto, and chatted about the shoe on everyone’s lips.

BSS: How did the design of the shoe come about?

AS: It’s Elizabeth’s shoe. She’s so stylish and has such a strong sense of style. She came to us with a lot of ideas.

LC: Having seen (the trends for) this season, I had a really good idea of the elements I wanted to highlight. I wanted it to be a wedge, and I wanted to incorporate python, and some colour.

AS: She had a very sure idea of the kind of wedge that she wanted to work with. She knew she wanted to do fluoro orange, a pop of it somewhere; we decided it should go on the insole of the shoe. She also wanted to use the natural python with some tubular on the upper of the shoe – something soft but structured. Really, it was (Elizabeth’s) vision. We (at ALDO) just pieced it together.

BSS: Do you feel the end product is in line with the aesthetic of the ALDO brand?

AS: I definitely think it has the ALDO DNA. It’s fashionable, and sexy.

LC: I really wanted the shoe to be sexy, but not victim-y. It’s got a subtle sexiness to it that fashion people will love.

BSS: I can see the shoe bridging the gap to women outside the industry quite nicely as well. It’s a very versatile design.

LC: I hope people are open to it. There’s a lot going on, but it doesn’t overpower the shoe. It all works together. And it’s such an easy shoe to wear. I’m all about fashion and being fashion forward, but I don’t buy anything that isn’t functional or comfortable. I don’t want to feel like a victim of my clothes.

BSS: What’s up next for you and FLARE on the design front?

LC: As an editor, going into the design process is definitely a mentality shift. Designing is a tough gig; it’s a very vulnerable thing to do. When I made this shoe, I thought “I hope people like it!” FLARE is all about experimentation and having fun. Whatever happens next, we’re open.

Given my level of excitement over this collaboration with ALDO and the hot new pair of shoes in my closet, I can’t wait to see what Cabral and FLARE design next. In the meantime, snag a pair of these fabulous limited edition FLARE x ALDO wedges before it’s too late – they were produced in very limited quantities and are sure to sell out fast. Click here for store availability and to buy online starting April 27th – today!

xx, S