Shedding light on our latest collection, we sat down with Mary Alice to talk through the ideas and influences at the heart of AW22.
We recently introduced the world to A Sense of Self – a collection of footwear that reflected not just the joy but the vitality of personal style. Through bold design choices and expert craft, we sought to celebrate true self-expression, in the process exploring the power and confidence that comes from getting dressed. Naturally, a subject such as this has significant depth, so we decided to revisit it in the company of Mary Alice. As our Creative Director, Mary Alice has a unique perspective on our narrative, and how each season serves as a self-contained chapter focused on a cohesive theme. We asked her to share some thoughts on AW22:
“Over the years we’ve built a strongly defined identity for ourselves, so each season is less about reinvention, and more about expanding upon one of our core principles. Choosing a different avenue of the Malone Souliers world to walk down. We’ve always made shoes with the aim of instilling the wearer with confidence, and this season I wanted us to dig into this idea a bit deeper. To think in greater detail about the roots of personal style, and how fashion is a vital form of self-expression. It’s this line of thought that informed every shoe design in the collection.”
Throughout our AW22 offer there are flashes of unexpected colour, and rich surfaces that catch the light just so. Hard-to-ignore textures and show-stopping details. But there are also aspects of each shoe that only reveal themselves upon closer inspection, which demand a second look. The way an instep arches upwards, or how a stiletto heel curves – it all contributes to a sense of self.
“One of the recurrent motifs of the collection is shimmering metallic leather. It’s something I’m always drawn to in its ability to communicate confidence and command attention, all while being understated. The Maisie kitten heel that makes an appearance this season is a great example of the appeal of metallics. Its signature V-cut vamp is made from silver mirror leather with a subtle brushstroke texture. This then perfectly complements the shoe’s strap, which uses sparkling Lurex to great effect.
“I like to imagine someone wearing this version of the Maisie in a gallery space, perhaps at a private view of a new exhibition. Something bold and exciting. This season’s Maureen is also crafted from silver mirror leather, but uses our signature double straps in gold as a decadent counterpoint. It’s that little bit more opulent than the Maisie, perhaps better suited to the gilded interior of an art deco hotel bar. And then there’s the Yasmin, which is more of an iconoclastic style than the previous two. Full of the spirit and attitude of youth, it’s a playful rework of the typical notion of designer heels.”
Of course, every collection we design is as multifaceted as the women and men who wear them, and so from the shimmer of metallic leather we turn to the rich matte quality of suede.
“I’ve always loved suede for its earthiness. There’s something about it that always suggests a certain ruggedness, a closeness to nature, a hint of the American West. Our suede star for AW22 is undoubtedly the Oliana – an exercise in classic footwear design. It has all the drama and femininity of a timeless heeled boot, but its buttery soft upper suggests a refreshing free-spiritedness.
“The Nina, by contrast, uses suede in a slightly more cosmopolitan way. Its pale lilac stretch-suede upper feels like the natural choice for a mid-morning detour to your favourite local coffee spot, the kind of place you have to know about to find.”
It’s always important to us to share with you these insights, as they are as much a part of what we do as the products themselves. With the introduction of a new collection, we can think of no better way to celebrate than taking you – our readers – behind the brand.
