Two of the New Zealand wedding industry’s most switched-on women have collaborated on a beautiful shoe that will carry you through your big day and well beyond. Naturally, it’s blue…
Having spent many years shooting stylish weddings, and ogling them on the page, Together Journal’s editor Greta Kenyon is not short of opinions about bridal style. She recently collaborated with Rebecca Anderson, creative director of New Zealand footwear brand Chaos & Harmony, on her ultimate wedding shoe. Natural partners, both women have built successful international businesses while pushing the wedding industry to become more fashion- orientated.
“I’m a big fan of Chaos & Harmony and have been for years,” says Greta. “I’ve always admired Beks’ aesthetic and own at least 10 pairs of her shoes. Our design is aptly named the Together shoe, which reflects Together Journal and felt so right for two women coming together to create something gorgeous to be worn at weddings.”
“Together Journal’s style is very much aligned with Chaos & Harmony’s,” says Beks. “It’s been fun to have our paths converge, to collaborate with Greta to make a shoe we believe brides are seeking, and to do something that’s outside of my usual production cycle. This is a shoe made with love, for love.”
After several meetings in New Zealand, Beks travelled to Guangdong, to the artisan factory where Chaos & Harmony’s shoes are ethically hand-crafted. While there, she got on the phone to FaceTime Greta in Auckland to show her key shapes and her favourite leathers, suggesting they fold the soft yet sturdy material to form curves and lines that follow the foot, and cut the top of the shoe low to elongate the leg.
Ever drawn to a subtly 70s look, for Greta, a block heel was a must. “It’s something Chaos & Harmony are known for, and just another reason why I own and covet so many of their shoes,” she says. “Along with the back strap and open toe, the shape and height of the Together shoe’s heel ensures maximum comfort — and comfort is key when you are going to be wearing them for hours on end on your wedding day.”
As well as fulfilling the ‘old, new, borrowed, blue’ tradition, both women have noticed pale blue increasingly embraced by trend-setters in fashion and interiors, and the Together shoe will also be available in ivory and nude.
“We’ve thought about all types of weddings, from city to beach, vineyard and marquee, so brides will feel comfortable, stylish and confident,” says Beks. “Whether they tuck their heels under their gown or put them on display, they’ll be able to forget about their feet and concentrate on the most important thing, which is marrying their partner.”
Fashionable, feminine, wearable, sentimental and on sale worldwide from November, the Together shoe also lends itself to being worn beyond your wedding day. Greta says she’ll be stepping into hers for formal events and to elevate her weekend denim.
“This is more than just a weddings shoe,” says Beks. “Chaos & Harmony’s bridal footwear is designed to bookmark the beginning of your marriage journey, and the Together shoe is too. It’s something you can wear afterwards on dates with your partner, at special occasions and even day-to- day as a reminder of the beauty of your celebration and commitment. How nice to be able to wear a memento from your wedding. We want these to be shoes women keep on wearing and loving.”
Pictured Above: Rebecca Anderson of Chaos & Harmony and Greta Kenyon of Together Journal | Photography: Erica Jane | Words: Philippa Prentice
