In the making

‘Our customers enjoy an active country life– they have a ‘go anywhere, do anything’ philosophy– it’s all about adventure there’ and getting out Penelope Chilvers talks to Hetty Lintell

I’VE just returned from a trip to Argentina where I spent three days with the gauchos,’ says the pocket-sized footwear designer in her Notting Hill establishment. ‘I wanted to understand what gaucho really meant—they are totally at one with their horses. They have a closeness and co-dependence that I find interesting.’

Passionate about all things equestrian, Penelope Chilvers created her familiar tasselled boot 15 years ago. It has since been worn by dozens of wellknown faces, including The Duchess of Cambridge, who refuses to buy a new pair as her 12-year-old ones are still going strong. ‘From this boot, which I produced especially for myself using an artisan in Spain,’ the designer explains, ‘I created a collection of six ideas and took them to London Fashion Week.’

Today, the boots can be seen on country folk and city dwellers alike. True multi-taskers, they work well for almost any occasion. Choose from leather or rubber soles and multiple colours (I love the bright elasticated trim on the short safari boot), and rest assured that the materials are all natural—no plastic is used.

Travel is vital to the designer and inspires all her footwear, which is made with adventures in mind, whether they be in the garden, on city streets, in the mountains or on safari. ‘I always think about where my boots can be worn. They aren’t for keeping in the wardrobe, that’s for sure.’ Her accessories are a growing part of the business, too, and she works with Spanish artisans (whose father’s fathers worked in the same craft) to keep specific techniques from dying out—such as the cut-out work used on her bags. ‘If I keep asking for it, they will keep going.’

Leftovers from her beautiful summer espadrilles go into making some accessories. ‘I have to use up everything on the shelf; I don’t like any waste,’ insists the eco-enthusiast.

Boots should, above all, be comfortable and these are like butter, so soft you barely notice you’re wearing them, ensuring you can get on with whatever life might throw at you.

‘Ours are the bees’ knees of knee-high boots,’ confides the designer. Other makers have copied them (in the ultimate flattery), but this one is particularly beautiful in conker-brown vegetabledied leather. ‘If you want a practical boot, this is it, the ideal all-weather footwear. I haven’t compromised on the design—it is still long and sleek, with the famously elegant fit.’ Long tassel boot, £475 (020–7491 9777; www. penelopechilvers.com)