Considering her gilded spider-web insignia is inspired by one of the most famous children’s books of all time, it would make sense for Charlotte Olympia’s Charlotte Dellal to launch a line for the wee ones. And on August 12, she’s doing just that. “I like to have a sense of humor in my work, and that often manifests itself in childlike details,” said Dellal, adding that she’s referring to her new division as a “miniatures” (rather than “children’s”) collection.
Dubbed Incy (as in The incy wincy spider…), the range offers six styles that riff off of her grown-up designs. For instance, there are velvet Swarovski Crystal-embellished spider-web slippers, red-suede-and-leopard-print Bisoux flats, and, of course, her signature Kitty flats, which also come in a Kitten size, for her teensiest clients. Each pair of shoes comes with a coloring book and crayons, and Dellal will donate 10 percent of the first month’s sales to Art Start, a charity dedicated to helping at-risk youth through art.
Dellal lived in Cape Town until she was four, and admits to having spent most of those years barefoot. But the designer recalls coveting “novelty” shoes from an early age. “I always liked the element of dressing up,” she said. “The first shoes I remember choosing for myself were a pair of multicolored sequin ballerina flats—and a matching bum bag—when I was 9.”
It seems that her own children (Dellal is a mother of two boys, with a third child on the way) are following in her well-shod footsteps. While she’s only selling miniatures for little ladies, Dellal did craft some bespoke Tom Cat espadrilles for her sons. As for her new baby, Dellal said, “If it’s a girl, she’ll be born into a collection of shoes to match her mother’s!”
Charlotte Olympia’s Incy collection will be available, beginning August 12, at her flagship boutiques, as well as online. Prices range from $125 to $395.
