Viva Vivier

Behind the operatic voice, the coiffed moustache and the larger-than-life personality lies a man who is transforming a storied French House, one kitten heel at a time. Kenneth Goh meets the new head of legendary Parisian footwear maker, Roger Vivier.

- Kenneth Goh

My first encounter with Gherardo Felloni, the new Creative Director for Roger Vivier, was in a hôtel in the fifth district of Paris on the stylish Left Bank. It was the spring/summer 2019 fashion who week in Paris, and the newest collection was being unveiled on a particularly hot September afternoon.

Felloni was lounging on a grand golden bed with brilliant red sheets, his brown soulful eyes Kenneth Goh meets bright with a spark of mischief and daring. Together the new head of with a voluptuous soprano, he was belting out Freddie Mercury’s “Barcelona” and egging her on legendary Parisian to sing more loudly than ever.

It was a startling but wonderful introduction Roger Vivier. to the world of Felloni, a man who looked like he should be starring in his own movie with his perfectly manicured moustache, impeccably pomaded hair and crisp suiting topped with an antique jewelled torque around his neck.

The Italian native may be playful about how he presents himself but make no mistake that when it comes to shoes, this is a man who knows his business. Hailing from a family who ran a footwear factory, both the interest and the passion were cultivated early on for Felloni.