Malone Souliers and Natalia Vodianova have teamed up to create a collection of highly covetable shoes, inspired by Natalia’s love for her native country, Russia, for the rich elements of its embroidery tradition, but mostly for the philanthropic benefit of altruism and philanthropy – indeed, her coat of arms.
The collection comprises of five iconic Malone Souliers silhouettes – a lace-up boot on a chunky 100mm heel, a sophisticated mule, two pumps on a sleek skinny stiletto, and a very stylish flat mule – all fulfilled in a mix of sumptuous linen palettes and soft, palatable nappa leather. Each shoe is named after Natalia and members of her family, including her daughter, mother, grandmother and sisters.
“I have always admired and appreciated the intricacies and design aesthetic of Russian embroidery and the significance of its meanings. These distinct intricacies provided the perfect inspiration for designing the collection in collaboration with Natalia Vodianova.” – Mary Alice Malone, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Malone Souliers.
Image: Natalia with her Grandmother and other Naked Heart Foundation Donors
Each shoe upper is cross-stitched with a distinctive motif, be it a colourful tassel or an abstract figure, each with its own specifically heartfelt meaning. A series of circles and diamonds, for instance, stands for the Sun, symbolic of life and warmth, while a little heart, hidden in the intricately stitched patterns, serves as a memento to Natalia’s goodwill, as practised by her foundation, Naked Heart Foundation.
The words, MY NAKED HEART, spelled on the shoes with truly cultural technique, act as a playful yet potent reminder that this fashion boasts a conscience, and is fully conscientious to show it.
“The Naked Heart Foundation is simply the most natural symbiosis of Natalia Vodianova’s legacy, each contributing to the global philanthropy of children, with such focal attention as is often missed in our current affairs that distract us all from what matters most – family. Goes without saying, Malone Souliers jumped right behind this and dedicatedly stands with Natalia. To this end, I am committing 50% of all proceeds from our collaboration to the Foundation.” – Roy Luwolt, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Malone Souliers.
The Malone Souliers x Natalia Vodianova Spring/Summer 2017 collaboration is available to purchase in-store and online now. Fifty percent of the funds raised through the collaboration will go towards developing support services for families with children with special needs and constructing inclusive play facilities for children of all ages and abilities, which are the Naked Heart Foundation’s two main areas of work.
