Without realising it, Rebecca Anderson’s designs for Chaos & Harmony’s current AW10 range somewhat reflect the harder economic times the nation’s just been through. It’s not that they’re cheap or frugal designs, quite the opposite in fact…
The recent recession has impacted most lives in New Zealand in some way. A lost job here, pay cut here, higher rent there. But a shoe collection?
Without realising it, Rebecca Anderson’s designs for Chaos & Harmony’s current AW10 range somewhat reflect the harder economic times the nation’s just been through. It’s not that they’re cheap or frugal designs, quite the opposite in fact – they’re rich in texture and structure, but the muted colours and the vibe of the shoes allude to the practicality some have had to use to get through difficult times of late.
Pictured left: Rebecca Anderson, Design and Managing Director and Renee Ryland, Design and Development.
The inspiration for ‘Hole in My Heart’ came firstly from a Kiwi-born female spy who was part of the WWII French Resistance. Nancy Wake aka White Mouse was a strong, independent woman who kept her sense of style about her during the drudgeries of war and depression. It was a time that called for resilience and hard work from women, not unlike the current times.
Below: White Mouse and Spy Boot.
Rebecca said she had admired White Mouse long before this collection began. “I’m always attracted to people that don’t allow their circumstances to dictate the way they live,” she says.
And that’s exactly what this collection is, a nod to the strong, pragmatic woman. “I’m not a huge feminist, but you do have to push yourself to make the most of opportunities on offer to you,” she says.
The shoes bring through this sense in their sturdy and well-built minimalism. They hold “separatist and escapist connotations;” that post-war-in-the-40s, sterile and empty ‘where am I?’ feeling. The cut-outs and layers in the shoes are representative of this, and the colours follow suit, being quite subdued and neutral. However there is a splash of blue here and there, symbolising newness and freshness that must be found after the emptiness.
Below: Workington Boot, Nighthawk heels.
Whenever restraints are put on people in life, Rebecca says, people obviously feel restricted. “But also feel invigorated, because in terms of survival they have to be more creative,” she said.
And that creativity comes through in the shoes – with quilting, patent, suede, cut outs and layering in all the right places, and the softest of leathers. These shoes are so outstanding, they create their own niche in the New Zealand market.
Below: The Chaos & Harmony work table.
Chaos & Harmony
Ph 07 575 7632
www.chaosandharmony.co.nz
Interview by Olivia Boswell, 26 March 2010.
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