The Artist At Work

In an exclusive interview with Roger Vivier’s creative director Gherardo Felloni, we go behind the scenes of the brand’s cinematic FW’21 collection and discover the deeper message behind their mini film

- Renee Batchelor

Roger Vivier’s love affair with cinema has long been a hallmark of the French luxury brand. After all, when French cinema legend Catherine Deneuve first wore her black Roger Vivier pumps with the iconic gold buckle in the 1967 film Belle de Jour, the shoes took off in popularity — and also eventually took on the name of the movie, coming to be known as the Belle Vivier. The late Roger Vivier also dressed many of the most glittering stars of the time, including Jacqueline Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor, and even created the shoes for Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. He was also credited with inventing the comma heel in 1963, and transforming the status of a shoemaker — from that of a craftsman to that of an artist and an architect of the foot.

Today, the brand is helmed by Italian creative director Gherardo Felloni, who took over the reins from the previous creative director Bruno Frisoni in March 2018. Charged with adding his own modern take to the brand, Felloni introduced seemingly radical ideas to the classic shoe brand known for its elegance and refinement, like Roger Vivier’s first ever pair of sneakers, the Viv’Run —a practical but glamorous take on the running shoe. During his time with the brand, he has also honed his own unique vision, and established himself as a creative talent and shoe designer in his own right.