Dubai may not be Carrie Bradshaw’s city, but it’s about to become Sarah Jessica Parker’s.
If you love shoes and you’re a fan of the US actress (we’re guessing many of her fans are both) then mark your calendar for December 7 and 9. That’s when the star of the hit TV series Sex and the City will be in Dubai to meet her fans as she launches her own shoe collection, at Harvey Nichols and Bloomingdales respectively.
And how lucky local shoe lovers are: Dubai is the first international location to stock the SJP Collection — named for the actress’ initials, by which she is popularly known.
“I am thrilled to be launching the SJP Collection in our first international market, and particularly excited to be working with Harvey Nichols and Bloomingdales in Dubai,” Parker told tabloid! ahead of her visit next month.
Parker will sign shoes, shoe boxes and hang tags at both department stores. Shoes go on pre-sale on December 3, and must be purchased in advance in order to qualify come to the stores. Parker’s collection starts from Dh1,200.
“This is an enormous opportunity for us to reach a whole new customer, and we’ve had a lot of fun curating a collection we feel, and hope, properly reflects and suits the Middle Eastern Woman’s lifestyles. I’m so looking forward to spending time with those who have been watching and supporting our collection from afar,” added the 49-year-old mum of two.
Parker’s iconic character Carrie Bradshaw was known for her love of shoes, especially Manolo Blahniks, so it’s no surprise Parker has collaborated with Blahnik CEO George Malkemus III for the three-piece collection, which launched earlier this year.
And while Carrie Bradshaw irresponsibly bankrupted herself buying designer shoes, Parker is well aware that spending fortunes on footwear isn’t the best financial plan for her fans. So she’s focused on quality and value.
“I want customers to be delighted with how the shoe is presented, how much care we’ve taken, the unique colour combinations and even the shape of the heel. Ultimately, I’m striving to produce a shoe they haven’t yet seen on the market, especially at this particular price point,” says Parker.
The shoes are made in Italy by a third-generation Tuscan shoemaker. Incidentally, up next career-wise for Parker is 2015 film All Roads Lead To Rome, a romantic comedy in which she plays an uptight American who goes on a road trip across Italy pursuing her rebellious teenage daughter with her Italian former lover.
So what’s in the collection? Lots of colour but no platforms. “The inspiration for the collection really was born from my love for the single sole,” she said. Of course there had to be a shoe named after Bradshaw: The Carrie is a t-strap sandal, with an ankle strap that sits low on the foot, with the aim of elongating the leg.
If you want the classic pointed stiletto that Parker’s character is associated with, look for Fawn; meanwhile Lady has a round toe and thick heel. Each season, the three styles come in new colours, but what doesn’t change is Parker’s signature: a grosgrain ribbon in a contrasting colour on the back of the heel that tells a story about her childhood.
“The grosgrain detail, which is on every single shoe, is a nod to my childhood and my mother. Growing up, I had to wear hair ribbons every day. We had a bureau dedicated to them and we had to iron them ourselves every morning. Early on, when George and I were working on the design, I said, “George, do you think we could put grosgrain on the seam?” The backs of the shoes looked almost naked to me. I thought it would be a nice detail, and it’s turned into a nice way of identifying ourselves.
“It’s been a really wonderful and exciting experience and I hope we’ve done right by the customer.”
