Fashion Reverie Bridal Exclusive: Vanessa Noel

 October is a very special month for Vanessa Noel. The month of October is the month she opened her footwear boutique—to be exact, October 19, 1987—, and it is the month of International Bridal Fashion Week, the fall collections.

Now, you might ask why is Bridal Week important to Vanessa Noel? What you might not know is that Vanessa Noel is the only high-end footwear designer to create her own line of white silk satin bridal shoes. And she designs them beautifully!! Just speak to the long list of celebrities and world-class fashion houses that have donned her shoes or used them in their fashion collections.

“I opened my brand and my own shoe store in 1987. This is my 29^th year. Within a year of starting my company, I started making bespoke bridal shoes for individual customers. I designed Mariah Carey’s first wedding shoe, as well as bridal shoes for Valentino couture, Givenchy couture. … I have also worked with Ralph Lauren, Nicole Miller, Ralph Rucci, Loris Diran, Carolina Herrera, and I have also worked with a lot of young talent,” explained Vanessa Noel.

But, taking risks and doing something that no one else does is in Vanessa Noel’s DNA. And she has ingeniously turned those very necessary fashion characteristics and her skill and craftsmanship into a world-class business.

In spite of the innumerable design and manufacturing challenges in creating white satin bridal shoes, Noel has stayed true to her belief that a bride’s very special day should be marked by very special shoes.

“We make the collection of white shoes which means we have to clean and wipe down all the equipment in the factory. It is quite a production because white can get dirty so quickly. We even change the needles in the machines. We use round-headed needles that push the fibers away, not breaking the fibers of the fabric. When you make satin shoes it is an incredible delicate and tedious process, but I believe so wholeheartedly in the process. Remember, white satin wedding shoes are a necessity for the bride,” details Noel.

That said; a modern bride is not just getting the run-of-the-mill satin shoes from Vanessa Noel. She is getting a bridal masterpiece!!

“I design my regular shoe collection and then I decide what personality and aesthetic to bring to bridal for the season. So I decide which shoes are appropriate season-to-season that works well for bridal; whether is a bootie, a sling back or even flip flops.”

And boy does it work well!! From shoes that are embellished with fur, Swarovski crystals, beading and designed with panache and fashion-forward sensibility, Vanessa Noel’s skill and passion for bringing brides the most innovative, chic shoes in the industry is at the core of her business.  “Modern brides want something that is sexy, classic, and individual. … Remember, this is the bride’s red-carpet day. … I believe if you are going to do it, you have to do it right!! You have the right to be a bride from head to toe and your feet should look and feel great.”

That is oh, so true!! And, your feet will look and feel great. The proof is in the pudding, or should I say the shoes!!

—William S. Gooch