You are here: Home. News. Articles.

Chic Footwear for Feet Large and Small

Articles

Chic Footwear for Feet Large and Small

A manageress holding an executive position in finance started - without any prior knowledge of the fashion sector - a shoe line for special sizes called Charlotte Vanel.

Charlotte Perreux launched her label in December 2010 and offers chic and fashionable styles in sizes 34 to 45.

The move, however, did not come without some external assistance. Thanks to a lucky coincidence Vanel, who had just turned 30, met freelance designer Olivier Richard.

An academic with an architectural background he had worked in the accessories departments of Kenzo, Paco Rabanne, Véronique Leroy and for the LVMH group of companies before bringing his ten years of experience to the new company.

What is a woman to do when she is well over 6 feet tall and takes shoe size 43? Charlotte Perreux knows the answer. Whenever this tall, large-footed French lady entered a shoe store frustration was guaranteed. Nothing was available in her size or if it was then only shoes looking as if they were made for farm work. A manageress holding an executive position in finance she no longer wanted to put up with this and – without any prior knowledge of the fashion sector whatsoever – she started a shoe line for special sizes called Charlotte Vanel. Only launched in December 2010, her label offers chic and fashionable styles in sizes 34 to 45.

The move, however, did not come without some external assistance. Thanks to a lucky coincidence Vanel, who had just turned 30, met freelance designer Olivier Richard. An academic with an architectural background he had worked in the accessories departments of Kenzo, Paco Rabanne, Véronique Leroy and for the LVMH group of companies before bringing his ten years of experience to the new company. Here he is in charge of design while Charlotte looks after management and logistics. The biggest problem was finding manufacturers as new lasts had to be specifically created for these shoes. The two found what they were looking for in Spain.

The duo’s brilliant idea was a huge success receiving various prizes. For their first collection Charlotte and Olivier received the prize of the Seine & Marne region for young talents. The Centre for Leather Technology awarded them with the Leather & Creation distinction, which in turn provided Charlotte Vanel with an invitation to the fashion fair Who’s Next. This trade fair also attracted their first customers.

Today, the brand for fashion shoes in special sizes features seven different styles from sandals to bootees and from ballerinas to 10 cm high heels. Prices range from EUR 120 for ballerinas and to EUR 230 for low-cut boots. And because finding beautiful shoes in extraordinary sizes is a problem just about everywhere the two soon also launched an online shop that ships worldwide.

Text: Barbara Markert
Photos: Charlotte Vanel

To Homepage of Charlotte Vanel