Footwear and accessories brand CHARLES & KEITH collaborates with the designers of Chinese label SHUSHU/TONG, Liushu Lei and Yutong Jiang, to create a limited edition capsule collection to kick off the spring season. The capsule features two pairs of bags and shoes and draws inspiration from roses, a symbol of fleeting beauty.
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“The rose has become a significant symbol in literature and art, usually representing love and desire. Traditionally, roses only bloomed once a year, which means it was destined to live for a short period of time. A fragile, withering rose exudes fleeting beauty. Sharp thorns line its soft, delicate branches; this danger is a metaphor for the price we sometimes need to pay for love. Contrasting colours of red and black form the backbone of the collection. Their opposition – passion and sophistication – exemplify the inescapable temptation that love brings,” said SHUSHU/TONG designers.
Mary Janes in patent leather have been given a unique SHUSHU/TONG twist as the feminine shape of the shoe is offset with an edgy, chunky heel. The shoes come in two colorways (black and red) and bear Shushu/tong’s signature floral ornaments.
Handbags in the collection take on a rectangular shape, with an adjustable ribbon-esque strap that allows it to be carried underarm or as a top handle. The black version is crafted from sleek satin and adorned with a patent rose in the same shade, while its crimson counterpart features a vintage-inspired rose pattern monogrammed on its glossy satin body. The bag’s interior is crafted from supple leather and finished off with a hidden magnetic closure.
“CHARLES & KEITH is excited to continue the tradition of working with independent designers to bring unique iterations of our well-loved footwear and handbags to both new audiences and loyal fans of the brand. It was a pleasure collaborating with the dynamic SHUSHU/TONG duo, we’ve followed their brand’s evolution closely over the years and are great admirers of their work and design aesthetic — the latter, which has been beautifully synched with CHARLES & KEITH’s signature shapes to create this truly unique collection,” said Fredie Stevens Design Director of CHARLES & KEITH.
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The first batch of the collection was released early January in selected Charles & Keith offline shops in China, the brand’s Tmall store, and a dedicated WeChat Mini Program. The capsule collection will be available globally on www.charleskeith.com and in selected CHARLES & KEITH boutiques from 11th January 2022.