‘Printemps Doha an excellent platform to showcase our Footwear designs’

Satyendra Pathak

Doha

Located within the bustling confines of the department store Printemps Doha, Andrea Wazen’s footwear outlet stands as a testament to the intersection of luxury and innovation.

Andrea Wazen, renowned for her distinctively crafted footwear, has captivated fashion enthusiasts worldwide with her daring designs and impeccable craftsmanship.

At Printemps Doha, her brand corner promises a haven for discerning shoppers seeking the perfect blend of elegance and contemporary flair in every step they take.

In an exclusive interview with Qatar Tribune, she shared her inspiration behind opening the footwear outlet at Printemps Doha last year.

Wazen said, “Opening an outlet at Printemps Doha was a strategic decision for us. Doha is a vibrant and fashion-forward city, and we saw an opportunity to introduce our brand to a new audience while also catering to our existing clientele in the region. Printemps Doha provides an excellent platform for us to showcase our designs and reach a wider audience of discerning customers.”

“Ever since we opened this outlet at Printemps Doha, we have received very good response from the people here. The feedback we have got is very encouraging,” she added.

Born in London and raised in Beirut, Andrea developed a great passion for sketching and designing at a young age. To fulfill her dreams of becoming a designer, she moved to Paris and specialised at the Istituto Marangoni Italian fashion school where she discovered and was appreciated for her skills in shoe designing.

In 2010, Wazen relocated to London where she was trained under the tutelage of Rupert Sanderson and Christian Louboutin, both leading footwear brands in the fashion industry.

In parallel, she also attended shoe design courses at the renowned Central Saint Martins School of Arts. Andrea’s time spent in both major fashion capitals helped forge her inspiration and urge to finally become a women’s shoe designer and create her footwear brand. Andrea Wazen’s brand presents high-quality handmade shoes, designed and produced in Beirut

Her designs are celebrated for their excellence and innovation.

Talking about her creative process and what sets her footwear apart in the industry, Wazen said, “My creative process often begins with inspiration from various sources such as art, architecture, or even nature. I’m constantly seeking new ideas and translating them into footwear designs that are both fashionable and functional. What sets our footwear apart is our attention to detail, quality craftsmanship, and dedication to comfort without compromising on style. Each design is meticulously crafted to not only look beautiful but also to provide the wearer with the utmost comfort and support.”

That attention to detail certainly shines through in her designs.

As she continues to expand her brand internationally, she hopes that customers will continue to see Andrea Wazen’s footwear as a symbol of elegance, confidence, andindividuality.

“I want them to feel empowered when they wear our shoes, knowing that they are not only making a fashion statement but also investing in a piece of craftsmanship that will last them for years to come. Ultimately, I want our customers to feel beautiful and comfortable in our designs, no matter where they are in the world,” she said.

Known for her light feminine style and use of delicate fabric and material, Andrea likes to consider her original designs as ‘shoe couture’ that has an elegant and sophisticated trademark blended with impeccable craftsmanship.

In 2020, Andrea Wazen was awarded with the Accessories Designer Award by Fashion Trust Arabia, and Emerging Talent Of The Year Award by the prestigious Footwear News Achievement Awards.

Andrea Wazen’s production initially kicked off in Beirut, Lebanon. The designer was always keen on encouraging local production in order to keep the artisinal footwear factories in Beirut surviving the financial crisis her country faces daily and in order to sustain the craft inherited from their ancestors. Today, due to the high demand in production the brand has branched out to Italy where a part of her collection is also produced. The artisinal knowledge and craftsmanship of both countries create a very interesting balance in the realisation of her designs.

Over the years of designing and creating distinguished silhouettes, the designer’s iconic styles were born. Each style is reflective of the Andrea Wazen’s identity and brand codes: sophistication, elegance, and glamour.

Franca

Franca is the brand’s most iconic and symbolic style. The silhouette is inspired by a blooming flower, symbolizing the metamorphosis of a young girl into a mature woman. The style is seen in every collection with new interpretations of material and Swarovski elements.

Mandaloun

Mandaloun was initially introduced by the designer in 2020 after the designer’s beloved city of Beirut was tragically destroyed by a 2nd-degree explosion. The designer dedicated her SS20 collection to her city. Mandaloun style is inspired by the mullioned windows very commonly seen in classical Lebanese architecture.

Andrea re-interpreted the graphic lines of these windows into the wrap sandal. The leather straps were also inspired by electricity wires to shed light on the electricity crisis her city faces still today. Since then, the style has been one of the brand’s staples and has been reinterpreted in different shapes and materials.Mandaloun has been spotted on the likes of Dua Lipa, Bella Hadid, Cardi B, and more.

DASSY

Dassy is what the designer likes to call her “Optical Illusion” pumps. The design is carefully crafted with PVC and very thin straps of encrusted Swarovski Crystals. Over the years Dassy has been celebrities’ go-to red carpet shoes and remain’s one of the brand’s iconic styles.

KAY

Kay was introduced by the designer in 2021 and named after the designer’s niece who once asked her to sketch out for her a warrior princess shoe. Its elegant silhouette is enriched with PVC and Swarovski Crystals and finalized with a discrete and feminine bow. Kay has quickly become a stylist and celebrity favorite, worn by Selena Gomez, Sydney Sweeney, and more.

DENVER

Denver is one of the first creations the designer has introduced in her collections. It’s elegance and simplicity is what makes the pair so sophisticated. The iconic style features a mesh upper that gives a beautiful lingerie-like transparency across the toes and a thin strap that wraps around the ankle. Its proportions and allure are what have made this pair a favorite among girls and celebrities.

Named after the Greek Goddess Antigone, the designer created this style to elevate the feminine silhouette. With its PVC strap and upper as well as thick platform, once worn, the Antigone PVC becomes almost completely invisible yet gives the legs a very elongated silhouette. This barely-there platform, unique in its kind has become J-Lo and Megan Fox’s go to pair for their streetstyle and red carpet looks.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).