Rupert Sanderson went much further than 10 feet ahead since he created his shoe label 10 years ago. From advertising to shoesing, it was not obvious at that time that RS would be one of the most popular initials in the female shoe closet.
A miracle? No, Rupert answered a call, his very own the one that tells you exactly what you should be doing and on whose soles you should be walking. How lucky are we today that the man did dare to drop a set career and to spend his time designing for our feet. He went to learn the art of making shoes and the traditional crafts at the Cordwainers College in East London. Lesson learned, a motorbike ride and Rupert went to see "for real" how it all starts in some renowned Italian shoe-factories. A concrete experience gained at prestigious houses such as Sergio Rossi, and our shoe prince was ready to settle down and sign.
What makes Rupert Sanderson' s creations so divine? They have a soul; they bear the spirit of their man. Refined, comfortable but most of all these shoes are made to smile. They are fun and do liven up an outfit. Like the sun, let the shoes shine in and simply take you through the day. Shoes are adored when conceived by a genius craftsman. Not only a status indicator, they are a mood thermometer. Are we high or down today?
The bottom line is the feeling you get from wearing the shoes, the daydreaming, the area of opportunities, and the steps you are about to make. Walking to reach, to appear, to disappear, to achieve... to live until the shoes are off.
To me, RS' loafers are outdoors dressed up slippers and his wedges are the perfect answer to walk the dog, go to meetings and cycle the city around. A pair of shoe makes a day, a month, and a year and here you go even 10 years. Rupert Sanderson has picked 10 of his iconic feet dresses and has re-interpreted them to be the anniversary silver capsule collection available by special order. Think of it as a sterling celebration recalling the tin wedding. The waiting list is already filled in with names such as Delta, Kitkat or Estelle.
This mini retrospective of Rupert's work gave me a good reason to ask him about his shoe style, how it feels to enter a teen decade and what is on in the next ten...
DH: Indoors, are you the slipper or barefoot type?
RS: Barefoot
DH: Should a pair of shoe be the starting or the ending point of an outfit?
RS: They make an outfit, so both.
DH: How does it feel to be 10 years old?
RS: Surprising and a realisation that there is still an awful lot to do!
DH: Who is Rupert Sanderson in 10 words?
RS: You must ask the women who wear my shoes.
DH: If only one pair which would be the ultimate Anniversary one?
RS: An impossible question!
DH: How do you feel the shoe market has evolved since you stepped into it?
RS: Busier, faster, more competition, more attention and crazier shoes.
DH: What is walking distance to you?
RS: It depends what shoes you're wearing.
DH: Do you imagine shoes related to occasions or is it the shoe that makes the occasion?
RS: One should dress for the occasion.
DH: What is 10 years ahead?
RS: Who can tell?
DH: What is the worst shoe scenario?
RS: Women falling out of love with shoes - it might happen?!
DH: Whose shoes would you like to walk in?
RS: Usain Bolt.
DH: Do you personally run, walk, or stroll?
RS: All of the above.
DH: What was your latest whim? And what should be your next fad?
RS: Latest whim - buying high-end cycling equipment. Next fad - actually buying a bicycle.
DH: In the next 10 seconds you will...
RS: Hopefully not check my Blackberry.
DH: In the next 10 minutes you will...
RS: Eat chocolate.
DH: In the next 10 hours you will...
RS: Tell myself I must do some exercise; then won't.
DH: In the next 10 days you will...
RS: Spend a lot of time thinking about the next 10 months.
DH: In the next 10 months you will...
RS: Have another child and produce 4 more collections.
DH: A word to qualify the past 10 years?
RS: Supercalifragalisticexpialidotious!