The High-tech, Hardware Infused Designs of Camilla Skovgaard

In my quest to find the most beautifully innovative shoe designs, I manage on rare occasions to stumble upon what I consider creative greatness. This happened recently while perusing my favorite online social network, Splendora.com.

Denmark born designer Camilla Skovgaard creates avant-garde styles that exude precision detailing and craftsmanship. With a creative "wrap sheet" a mile long, it is evident that her training and experience far outweigh her years. Her accomplishments would put even the most seasoned designer to shame--accomplishments such as being whisked off to Paris to train in Couture while still in her teens. Then later, at the tender age of 20, she was transported by a French-owned fashion house to the southeast Arabian peninsula of Dubai to design for the Gulf Sheikhs' wives (that's right,as in more than one) and daughters. It was during this experience that Skovgaard discovered her real passion was shoes.

The open-woven style of Skovgaard's shoes compliment the foot with a fusion of impeccable design, shape, form, and high quality materials. Superb workmanship pushes the designs far beyond the mere aesthetic. "I was inspired by the pattern of star-crossed weave and interlacing," says Skovgaard of her AW08 collection. Her designs are for "intelligent" fashionistas, women whose style incorporates sophisticated chic with an urban edge. To achieve this look, Skovgaard infuses such unorthodox methods as using hair to cover the feet in an otherwise 'naked' shoe; an element the designer refers to as "a nod to the dark horse in us all." Clearly, these shoes are not for women who merely follow the trends, but for those with the courage and drive to establish their own.