THEY’RE ALL THE RAGE
Dr. Henry shoes prove popular
All eyes have been on Dr. Bonnie Henry since the COVID-19 situation escalated in Vancouver in March.
As people look to Henry for advice and updates, some have also begun to single out what she’s been showcasing — on her feet. Fans of Henry have been taking note of her collection of eye-catching shoes, which are made by Vancouver shoemaker John Fluevog.
The designer says it was “Fluevogers,” or members of the “Fluevog community,” that initially picked up on the health officer’s predilection for his products and brought it to the attention of the company.
When contacted for comment after the announcement of a limited-edition shoe release honouring Henry in April, with presale proceeds going to the B.C. Food Banks (a beneficiary chosen by Henry), the longtime footwear designer says he wasn’t at all surprised to discover the health professional was a fan of his creations — but he admits he was pleased.
“She is such a lovely person and it’s such a privilege to have her wearing my shoes,” Fluevog says.
Henry “gets” his unique shoe designs, he says, describing his footwear creations that can be spotted on Henry’s — as well as a host of ‘famous’ feet including Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Sam Rockwell and Kit Harington — as “a little funky and little eccentric and smart.”
“The shoes, like her, are a walking story of someone who is being herself,” Fluevog says. “Nothing fake about her.”
Once Fluevog was aware of just how big a fan Henry was of his shoes, he decided to honour the health officer with her very own pair of Fluevog shoes.
“It was hard not to,” he says. “There was so much noise on social media, she is so loved, I was very honoured to have her wear our shoes — it seemed like a natural fit to do something together.”
The resulting Mary Jane-style heeled shoe features pink accent stitching and a patent leather toe cap. The design will be familiar to Fluevog fans as part of the continuing Operetta Family of designs.” A few of Henry’s “wise words” will also be featured on the creation, reminding all those who wear them to “be kind, be calm and be safe.”
The shiny pink shoe, according to Henry, is “perfect.”
“It really was meant to be,” Fluevog says of how the design came together. “There was not time to get special leathers made up, but it so happened that we could take some leathers from other planned productions that we had, cut those shoes back and dedicate that leather to her shoe — and it’s even better she loved the colours.”
The response to the limited-edition shoe, which was priced at $339, has been “overwhelming,” Fluevog says.
“The demand has been so high, so we’re trying to make as many as possible. Originally, we had planned for 200 pairs, but we’re trying right now to see if we can make more,” he says.
But, he says, he wasn’t entirely shocked by the immense interest from the public due to Henry’s influence and popularity in B.C.
“I really think it’s because she is so lovely, kind and compassionate,” Fluevog says. “People can feel connected to her. She has no political agenda, she just wants us all to be safe and healthy.”
The designer says that creating a shoe in honour of Henry has given him a sense of purpose in being able to help the COVID-19 situation in his own “small way.”
“It’s really about hope and community and us all treating each other with love and compassion,” Fluevog says. “I see so many signs of care and compassion in our community — and I’m just thrilled to be a part of it.”