Pierre Hardy: Design Shoes As Small Construction Projects

PierreHardy, a famous French shoe designer, when he was young, he was also keen on dancing. Besides studying fine arts, he also studied shoe making carefully from the side of his assistant. This made him quickly become a designer of ChristianDior shoe series and served the brand for 4 years.

In 1990, PierreHardy was appointed creative director of women's clothing and men's shoes, Herm White s, and became the senior jewelry creative director of the famous leather goods brand in 2001.

In the spring of 1999, PierreHardy created the first women's shoes series in his personal name, and made men's wear and handbag Series in 2002 and 2006.

A few days ago, PierreHardy brought the 07/08 autumn and winter series he designed for OnPedder for the first time in China, in Beijing, and in the antique Chinese society, which was respected by many foreign friends. He spoke slowly to his favorite design career with the unique gentlemanly manner of the French.

"I think of design as the creation of another kind of sculpture." reporter: this time, what are the design ideas and themes of the 07/08 autumn and winter series that you bring for OnPedder? PierreHardy: the new series mainly has two designs, one is linear and the other is curvilinear.

For a long time, not only for this series, but for all my designs, I will follow the same theme and same idea: through hard or soft lines, through the impression of beauty, we can design products.

Reporter: your design field involves a very wide range of men's and women's clothing, shoes, handbags and so on. Which part of your personal preference is the most part? Which part of your energy is the biggest? PierreHardy: of course, shoe design! Because I started studying art and later did sculpture design.

When I later found myself in love with the design of shoes, I hope that I can not only design shoes that are widely accepted and loved by women, but also create a concept and culture.

Reporter: you love design, loyalty to design, and successfully develop a set of "creative logic formula". I want to hear your specific explanation. What kind of equation is it? PierreHardy: the so-called "creative logic equation", which may be a summary of my design.

There is no doubt that the design is different from others, but I do not think there is any particular way.

Perhaps other designers consider the design from the color and material, and I think of the design as another kind of sculpture creation. I will first draw the blueprint for it, then I will color it and finally make the finished product.

"Beauty is the most important." what elements do you usually consider when designing a product, such as comfort, practicality, classics, fashion, and market demand?

PierreHardy: I think the overall shape, feel and heel height of shoes are the most important, and I will not think too much about other aspects.

Of course, sometimes we need to consider the needs of the market, but more often I think about my own thoughts and feelings.

Because the market is changing very fast, it is very difficult for you to grasp the accuracy. Therefore, I will focus on my product design and try my best to attract more consumers.

My design is mostly based on the clients' requests and suggestions. I will improve my work according to the feedback from customers, so as to meet their requirements for shoes and have more and more loyal customers.

Reporter: some people say that you will consider shoes as a small construction project, like using simple lines and being good at creating sculptural texture. How do you evaluate this statement? PierreHardy: Yes, I agree with you.

I do think of creative footwear as a small construction project.

In my work, I often add many architectural elements. I regard the design shoes as a kind of artistic creation, and combine art with architecture as much as possible. I think this is a very interesting and also a process that makes me intoxicated and enjoyed me.

This kind of creation is loved and supported by more and more women. I think it may be more suitable for women and satisfy their pursuit of beauty.

Reporter: I noticed that the height of heels is very high in your designs. However, comfort is a very important characteristic of shoes. How can we design shoes that are comfortable and fashionable? PierreHardy: when we consider design, we hope that shoes will be designed as comfortably and better as possible. After all, the function of shoes is something you have to consider.

But at the same time, we are looking at Zhao. Nowadays, women are willing to sacrifice a lot of things for beauty. They even give up comfort in order to make themselves look prettier.

Beauty is the most important thing.

No beautiful shoes are designed, no matter how comfortable they are, they will not be patronized.

For shoes, comfort and beauty are often difficult to reconcile.

For me personally, what I am focusing on is the appearance of shoes.

It must be beautiful, let people first see it, love is not released, it is difficult to give up, I think this is the design of success.

"I like to have new challenges every day." reporter: in the fall of 2006, the sports shoes you designed returned to the style of the 80s of last century. How do you think of doing such a different style of design? PierreHardy: This is...

A very interesting question.

My first day of designing sneakers is to try to expand the market.

Like last year's sports shoes, more juice for young people, I hope to promote the younger layer of my products.

Facts proved that I succeeded.

Internationally, many pop artists like rock music, pop music and electronic music love and buy the shoes that I have designed.

This is a new attempt for me. I like to have new challenges every day.

Reporter: what is the difference between the products that are being pushed in China and those in other countries in the world? Are there any styles that are specially designed for the Orient? PierreHardy: This is so interesting! Today, all the exclusive media departments have asked the same question.

In fact, I have never tried to design shoes for oriental people.

This is my first visit to Chinese land. I have only visited Hongkong once before. I do not know China or Asia.

In 1980, a famous French designer made such an attempt to design several shoes for Japan.

Perhaps due to the lack of understanding of the local market, the products he designed were unsightly and naturally unpopular, which led to a considerable failure in marketing.

Besides, nowadays, there are no big differences between countries in fashion.

Where a good design will be sought after.

It would be very risky if I were to rush to design in a factory that was not familiar with Asia.

Personally, I am not going to think about it at the moment.

He said, "maybe one day, I will open my fashion shop all over the world and drive to China and enter Beijing". Oscar NicoleKidman wore a nuns slipper designed by PierreHardy to step on the red carpet of Oscar, and SarahJessicaParker walked through the streets of the city with exquisite suede handbags. AmiraCasar wore thick soles to attend the premiere of the movie.

Each celebrity's image brings a different way of deduction for the style of PierreHardy.

The shoes designed by PierreHardy usually take longer time, and their characteristics are also more distinctive directions for brands.

Reporter: will you make some advanced customization for your loyal customers? PierreHardy: Yes, I will only make shoes and bags for them before I find them. Maybe I will try more aspects in the future, such as clothing and jewelry accessories.

I must say that making advanced products is a long and arduous process.

The special custom made by our brand is only to the few countries like France and the United States, and there are only a few servants in it, because you know that it takes much time, energy and money to make such designs and products.

Reporter: you have your own "PierreHardy" brand and set up a fashion shop in Paris. How do you manage your business? PierreHardy: my fashion shop has no middleman to operate. It's customers who go directly to the store to buy products. This allows me to better understand the needs of customers and collect first-hand information so that they can do retail according to their actual needs.

Reporter: will you extend your boutique to more countries and regions? PierreHardy: of course I would like to, and I hope so! If you can find a better partner to help me operate, why not? Maybe one day, I will open my fashion shop all over the world, open to China and go to Beijing.