Decades Vintage boutique in West Hollywood creates their own vintage inspired High heel brand.
Our Features Editor Jaimie Kourt visits Cameron Silver of Decades (owner & designer of heel collection) for an exclusive moment about his new endeavor.
CM: What makes something vintage inspired, modern?
CS: As far as I am concerned, everything modern is vintage inspired
CM: How did this venture begin? Why shoes?
CS: Rick from Modern Vintage approached me and well I like shoes!
CM: Where did you begin this design process? Do the individual shoes have stories? Do you think about the look in the big picture- say the feel of the time period, a color scheme, etc?
CS: The challenge was to select a single shoe to represent a decade.
I went through my library of fashion books and my archive of shoes and distilled my fav silhouette and then came up with color stories that modernized signature shades of the era.
CM: What elements did you take from each decade to inform the corresponding style?
CS: The 50s pay homage to the Roger Vivier pump so we manipulated the heel to give a Vivier curve and added the bright blue which reminded me of a Dior gown Trudie Styler bought from us many years ago.
The 60s were a challenge since it’s such a volatile decade of styles so I thought about the classic mod T-strap flat but turned into a heel and paid homage to YSL Mondrian in the color block motif at the toe.
For the 70s I went straight to Studio 54…those metallic shoes are made for dancing.
Finally for the 80s, I thought of my friend Diane Pernet and the huge wedges she wears and wanted to do something a little NYC downtown art scene with a nod to Maud Frizon and Andrea Pfeister.
CM: Where did your passion for shoes come from?
CS: My dad…he love shoes. I always buy him shoes for his birthday.
CM: Did you receive any great advice from other shoe designers (or anyone) when heading into this project?
CS: Christian Louboutin and Brian Atwood are friends, but I didn’t want to ask them for advice. I just hope their friendship and good taste helped guide me.
CM: Did you have any muses, models, person's in mind when designing?
CS: My dear friend Angelique Soave. She has the best shoe closet and I certainly asked her advice.
CM: Do you see a future collection? What might that look like?
CS: I would love to do some sexy flats plus red carpet shoes.
CM: Do you have somebody in mind that you would truly want to wear your shoes?
CS: I hope the shoes are attractive to both the elite shopper and the aspirational fashionsita. Most important everyone tells me the shoes are comfortable so if the shoe fits, buy it. I guess that means I have everyone in mind.
CM: What is the quintessential shoe a woman must own?
CS: One is a very lonely number…I have to say if you buy the entire Decades for Modern Vintage collection we will have you covered…they are all quintessential styles.
CM: Where is this collaboration available for purchase?
CS: Decades and GILT!
CM: How do you manage your time, with all your endeavors? What is your favorite pastime outside of work?
CS: It’s very difficult to manage my time, but I am a neurotic multi-tasker and I put everything in writing and on my calendar. For free time, I love to hike with my German Spitz Gar. I don’t enjoy picking up his poo, though.
Decades/Modern Vintage heels avail: http://www.gilt.com/sale/women/decades-for-modern-v?opsearch=google&opacct=GS(W)&opcamp=GS(W):US:Desktop:S:TM:Modern-Vintage:BMM&gclid=CNfkvPTd168CFUQRNAodRiYUDw