Viva Livre Vivier

Roger Vivier has come a long way since its founding in 1937. sheena khemaney leafs through the brand’s latest project with Rizzoli

ROGER VIVIER OPENED his first boutique 81 years ago, at 22 rue Royale in Paris. Today, the celebrated brand’s flagship store stands on the famous rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.

Not long after opening his shop, cordwainer Vivier began designing footwear for some of the world’s most prestigious fashion houses. In 1945 he was one of the first shoe designers to incorporate clear plastic into his creations. An even bigger breakthrough came in 1953 when Queen Elizabeth II commissioned him to design shoes for her coronation day – and a year later he made an indelible mark on the history of fashion when he introduced the now-ubiquitous stiletto heel to the world.

Fast-forward to 2018. Today, Roger Vivier shoes (everything from espadrilles to mules), clutches and cross-body bags are regularly worn and carried by royalty, A-list celebrities and It-girls. Notable Vivier designs include the Viv’ Cabas (a capacious day bag adorned with a metal embellishment, top leather handle and removable shoulder strap) and the Flower Strass (a pair of fairy-tale-inspired evening pumps decorated with rhinestone flowers that form the shape of the brand’s signature buckle).

Most recently, the label – now part of the Tod’s group – collaborated with New York-based publisher Rizzoli on a book titled #LoveVivier.

The coffee-table tome features glossy images of industry insiders and influencers, including the illustrious maison’s ambassador Inès de la Fressange, sporting – what else? – Roger Vivier.

Each featured female received a set of the brand’s inimitable accessories, which they set about styling to produce a series of 10 photographs for the book.

Keen to flick through? So are we.

#LoveVivier is available at good bookstores worldwide.