“The day I see a woman in the street wearing my shoes… I am sorry for that woman because I’m going to literally run after her, shouting, ‘Stop! Selfie! Who are you? Where did you get them?’ I’m going to have a moment!” says Rihanna (in the most believably animated press release ever) about her latest venture: a collaborative shoe collection with the legendary footwear designer Manolo Blahnik.
The six-style collection launches on May 5 and will be available at three stores, in London, New York, and Hong Kong.
Here’s what to expect: denim, sequins, more denim, and “beautiful artisan embroidery inspired by Rihanna’s hand tattoos.” The standout styles include the “Sea Salts,” a backless pointed-toe denim pump resplendent with baby-blue sequins and the “Dancehall Cowgirl,” a pale-denim ankle boot stitched with intricate patterns of silver beads.
The undisputed leading lady of this footwear ensemb though is the “9 to 5” boot, an indigo denim beauty that rises from a stiletto point up beyond the thigh to a bejeweled garter belt. Yes, Rihanna has named a thigh-high denim stiletto boot after most people’s office hours. In her own words: “Those boots are dangerous! If you’re trying to get back home to your bed, don’t wear them boots! You will get kidnapped in those boots, those boots are trouble.”
And if you thought you couldn’t be more excited than you were after learning Rihanna and Manolo Blahnik are making shoes together, know that the collection is called “Denim Deserts.”
Credits
Text Alice Newell-Hanson
Product photography