It took me a little while between ogling these shoes on a friend's EOS to hearing from shoe designer Tanja Savic, because the North London designer has been off sourcing "amazing leather and very special fabrics" for her next collection. I guess you can't rest on your handmade gilded wedge heels forever.
The current collections feature Swarovski crystal-encrusted wedges, metal coverings, studs and animal prints and the ubiquitous over-the-knee boot. They've been snapped on some cute ballerinas at her label launch, but only on Emma Watson in celebrity land.
Sound expensive? You're right. "The prices are a bit high, I know, but I didn't want to compromise on quality and comfort. And not only that, I just want to give a spectacular feeling to each girl wearing my shoes, something like you get the whole new experience while walking on the planet Earth, as it looks like walking on clouds, and that's how it should feel every single day, and at every occasion."
Savic worked for Jimmy Choo Couture, Jonny Lang, Top Shop and Dune before setting out on her own. Learning from these experts was crucial in giving her the confidence to go it alone. "Yes, that was so precious knowledge I gained there, not only on professional, yet personal level as well. Yes, I had hard times, I also had just wonderful time as well, lot's of ups and downs. Learning process is not easy!!! And guess what? I've since learned I am going to be learning for the rest of my life! And that's what, I learned, makes me happy, and where I find all my inspiration and excitement! We should, I think all start to love learning. It's a real fun!"
Tanja has a definite girl in mind when she's designing shoes, a girl she describes as "strong, dominant, nonchalant character, glamorous yet sensitive; rebellious, yet victorious type of a girl, who knows her priorities, dares to break the boundaries and marches to her own drum."
She hopes that her shoes make the wearer feel amazing, "You don't need to look amazing only when you go out and meet your boyfriend! You are amazing already, and feel gorgeous every single moment of your life. So, yes, I want to change the way my girl walks and feels. And if I make any of them feel that way, I am so so so grateful and happy!"
Tanja S London shoes are handmade in Italy to order. So if you know your shoe size, and have 6-10 weeks to wait while the're made, then get yourself kitted out. She will post to Australia. If you have to ask how much, as the old saying goes, you can't afford them.