French touch in Stella Luna shoes

The collection Stella Luna pour Anthony Vaccarello is a collaboration between the Shanghai-based brand and the French designer Anthony Vaccarello. Photo provided to China Daily

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Stella Luna, the Shanghai-based shoe brand that has gained popularity among fashionistas in the past five years, has a collection named "Stella Luna pour Anthony Vaccarello". As its name suggests, it is a collaboration between the brand and Vaccarello.

One can sense the Gothic touch in the colors chosen - black and scarlet, as well as the leather, shiny fur and metallic material. Elements like zips and bracelets are also included in high heels and open-toes, giving the collection an edgy style.

"The spring/summer collection is inspired by the swimming suits, and how it brings life to the city. We start with girls putting bracelets on their ankles," Vaccarello says.

Sitting in Stella Luna's flagship store in Beijing's Sanlitun, the 33-year-old designer appears a bit shy. He speaks in a low voice, trying to explain the difficulties of designing a pair of shoes.

"It is not technical (difficult). For the footwear, making them comfortable is the most important thing. For garments, you can be more crazy with more images, more trends, but footwear has to be something more: easy to wear, comfortable."

In terms of inspiration, it is the same for clothes and shoes, he says.

"The whole image is important. I have a woman in my mind. It's always the same woman, same idea of dressing. She is more like Charlotte Gainsbourg, a French singer. She is also my friend.

"I always love to design shoes. It's like playing with proportion," he says.