Walking your way through 2012 with Atalanta Weller

There are numerous mundane items we take for granted in our daily life, think of a shoe for example. How difficult could it possibly be to design? Never underestimate how much work goes into any design; it is more complex than you can even begin to think.

Essentially the design needs to be comfortable, as a shoe designer you need to have the knowledge of the body; how and where a person’s weight balances. Most importantly it requires a certain sense of sex appeal.

Atalanta Weller renowned for working with John Richmond, Hugo Boss and Clarks is no stranger to understanding this concept.

When I first saw her super signature wedges I thought “Lara Croft, tomb raider” would be kicking many a butt with these. They look completely impractical, but her shoes balance a woman’s body correctly. What is her secret?  As her own biography explains: “She is a woman designing for women.”

Atalanta succeeds in making a woman’s legs look long, sleek and slender, her animal prints are fierce and her wedges scream attitude beyond belief.

In her five years of self-employment, she has managed to accomplish a lot. Atalanta is a down-to-earth woman who is rarely aware of which celebrity is wearing one of her creations until a friend calls her up with the news. The list of superstars ranges from Sienna Miller to Emma Watson.

Having read various interviews with Atalanta, I admire her spirit; she is not the traditional high-flying designer. She has established a name for herself in the fashion world, yet she enjoys collaborating with other designers. This in my eyes is something not many designers are open to; she wants to grow and learn from others.

This year the Victoria and Albert museum purchased two pairs of her shoes to hold in their permanent fashion collection. Any artist’s biggest honour is to be approached by a museum to be showcased.

Before acquiring your next pair of shoes, keep Atalanta’s words in mind: “The future is bold, feminine and sexy; be comfortable with this and be comfortable with yourself.”

Pooja Sahny

You can view Atalanta Weller’s collection here.