Pierre Hardy for Balenciaga: Objet D’Art

Must Have Now! Pierre Hardy Stilettos.

How do you steal the spotlight away from the gorgeous designs of Cristobal Ghesquiere for Balenciaga?  Only Pierre Hardy knows. The two have been in collaboration for quite some time now, turning out gorgeous footwear selections Balenciaga for each collection. These killer stiletto pointy-toe heels from the fall/ winter 2011 show are still on my mind!

Pierre Hardy is a veritable fashion workhorse. In addition to his collaborations with Ghesquiere, he oversees shoes and jewelry for the luxury house of Hermes, and also produces his own line. Quite impressive for someone who seems to fly under the radar, having yet to receive household name status.

Upon studied inspection you will something altogether different about Pierre Hardy’s work. There is no implicit aim towards conveyed sex appeal, and yet, the shoes are unbelievably sexy, in a rather art school/ academia sort of way. Architecture, painting, and sculpture could also very easily be read into Hardy’s work as points of reference. It is always said that women dress for themselves and not others.  Pierre Hardy is one of those shoe designers that truly gets this. The woman who wears his shoes shares a  vision equal to the designer. She is in on the genius.

One of the things I find most interesting about the Fall/ winter 2011 shoe collection is the way in which the ankles are completely covered, almost concealed in a puritanical sort of way, while the arch is given peekaboo preference.  I mention this only because the dominant trend in footwear on the runways for the past several years has been the nearly nonexistent sandal with one ankle strap, and one tiny toe strap.  It is a reminder to us all that sometimes covered up and withholding is the sexiest of all!

All images from the Balenciaga Fall 2011 Campaign shot by Steven Meisel