World-renowned shoemaker Terry de Havilland is back in London, and London is all the better for having him here again. The Terry de Havilland pop-up shop is located in Ganton Street, W1 (just off Carnaby Street), so pleasingly central.
I do love a good pop-up … and this is a GREAT one.If you aren’t of an age to have your heart beat faster just by seeing the name above the door, the lightning flash and the beautiful, sculptural shoes in the window will still be enough to have you checking for a handily placed defibrillator.
Inside, the shop is fitted out with thick carpet, mirror tiling, and a large and comfortable pouffe for trying-on purposes. Vintage Playboy covers featuring Terry’s classic designs remind you – as if you need reminding – that Terry de Havilland makes the sexiest shoes in the world.
Mr de Havilland has had the very good sense to hire the friendliest, chattiest people to work in his shop, all keen to help find the perfect shoe for you. They’re kitted out in fantastic uniforms: white boiler suits; customised to flatter and cropped to display their Terry de Havilland shoes to great effect.
And the shoes. Oh God, the shoes.
The Zia, the Margaux, the neon splashed Jack The Dripper mule … all so beautiful. My heart was taken by the winklepicker stilleto in python (right); the sexiest, sauciest, chicest shoe I’ve ever seen – and on sale at the most unbelievably good value price. Alas, having an 8-year-old with a passion for LEGO, leaves little room for impulse spending, even on python-skin. I couldn’t resist trying them on though, and so am in a position to testify that with Terry de Havilland shoes on your feet, you stand taller, feel leaner, and find yourself more in love with your own good looks and jolly disposition than you’ve ever been before. I was really amazed by how comfortable they were. Snug but in no way squeezing, and perfectly balanced, they give such a swagger to your walk that you could sashay down a catwalk with no fear. Kate Moss had picked up a pair earlier that day, and I’m not surprised: these are the ideal shoe for anyone born under the sign of Capricorn.
The Belle and I called back a week later and were lucky enough to meet Terry de Havilland, who was in the shop signing shoes for beaming purchasers. He is as friendly and approachable, and as charming as his creations.
Terry de Havilland is also modest – when we asked him how he is able to conjure up shoes that combine amazing sex appeal with incredible fit and comfort, he credited his father (who made shoes for the Windmill Theatre dancers) with the perfect lasts, and his wife for the perfect insight into what women want from their footwear.
These really are the perfect go anywhere, do anything shoes. I tried on the Zia (below), as I was intrigued to see how the metallics, fabulous colourways and open toe would work with a pair of bright pink Tabio tights. As you can see from the photo, tights and Zias like one another, making the Zia an investment that works across seasons. This particular pair would be ideal for seeing over the heads of the crowd at the V&A’s David Bowie exhibition.
There is no occasion in this mortal world that couldn’t be made even better by attending wearing Margaux (bottom left). Christenings, First Communions, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Weddings, Divorce Hearings, Birthday Parties, School Fetes, Discos, Nightclubs, Wakes. You could even be buried in them, but that’s a bit selfish, when you could leave them behind for future generations to enjoy. Besides, I’m convinced that you get handed a pair of Margaux when you reach whichever corner of the Elysian Fields or cultural equivalent you are destined to spend Eternity in. They are after all, a heavenly combination of sexy and demure. A wedge always brings a degree of decorum, but the platform suggests a courtesan, picking her delicate way around town in chopines. The curve to the heel, the gradient on the arch, all contrive to show the lower leg at its very, very best. No-one can say you’re slutty when you’re wearing Margaux. But you will look so enticing that everyone will hope you’re slutty.
Now because the Ganton Street shop is a pop-up, you can’t hang about humming and hawing and digging out old ten pence pieces from the back of the sofa – you need to get down there now! There are no promises that it will be open past the summer. However, because it is so AMAZING and an asset to London in general and Carnaby Street in particular, please join me in crossing fingers that it will become permanent. London needs it. Carnaby Street needs it. I need it, and so do you.
Terry de Havilland shoes aren’t cheap, but they ARE fantastic value. They are infinitely better than anything you’ll find in the high street; do the maths, and I think you, like me, will work out that Terry de Havilland shoes are well worth saving for.
Terry de Havilland offers far more styles of shoe (all marvellous) then those I’ve talked about here, so browse through the Terry de Havilland site and whet your appetite for a visit to the shop.
Always worth crossing your fingers and hoping you’ll get lucky in a sale. Terry de Havilland is a generous discounter!
Don’t miss the sample sale! It’s taking place on Wednesday June 5th 2013, click for access details.
