Roger Vivier @ Jewels ForThe Feet ~ A QUEEN FOREVER

In celebration of the Diamond Jubilee, Bruno Frisoni, Creative Director of Maison Roger Vivier, was inspired by the original shoe designed of M. Vivier for the Coronation of HM Queen Elizabeth II, to create ‘A Queen Forever’. This once-in-a-life-time, jewel-like shoe is suitably diamond-incrusted and hand-crafted in close collaboration with The East India Company, whose rich history is linked both to diamonds and royalty. The Coronation proved to be a momentous date for Roger Vivier as he took his place in history by designing the footwear worn by the young Queen on this historic occasion.  In fine, kidskin gold leather, inlaid with rubies to both heel and upper decorative motif, it echoed the fleur-de-lys that decorates the St Edward Crown and the Imperial State Crown worn by Her Majesty on this day. The heel was elevated and Roger Vivier created a hidden platform within...

Sixty years on and the Roger Vivier ‘A Queen Forever’ jewel for the foot is realised with the iconic fleur-de-lys motif encrusted with over 4000 brilliant cut diamonds, its intricate setting designed by The East India Company and hand-crafted by its team of expert artisans, using diamonds supplied by Gitanjali, leading Indian diamantaire. The East India Company, with its renewed focus on design-driven luxury, was a natural choice: the original British Trading Company, The East India Company was responsible for the acquisition of the legendary Indian diamond, the Koh–I-Noor, which was presented in 1850 to Queen Victoria, the newly proclaimed Empress of India, and the only British monarch, other than Queen Elizabeth II, to have celebrated 60 years on the throne.

Hand stitched in Paris by the‘petites mains’, it sparkles brightly from its vertiginous perch, set high against a backdrop of black satin and heralded by a glorious plumage of jet feathers. Enveloped in precious diamonds, ‘A Queen Forever’ is a unique celebration of a very precious time in the history of the Roger Vivier Maison made possible by this special collaboration with The East India Company. The shoe will be available to view upon private appointment at Roger Vivier London and will be then exhibited at the diamond“Brilliant Exhibition”, part of the prestigious Masterpiece Fair in London, from June 28th to July 4^th 2012.