Today, Stephane Kélian returns to the fashion scene: Véronique Guéritot is now responsible for the brand’s style and direction; she has a wealth of experience in the great fashion and haute couture houses. Among others, she has worked for Sonia Rykiel. She joined the team of the Royer Group to bring it her expertise on the subject.

2009: Stephane Kélian uses all his genetic codes as a shoemaker and designer: craftsmanship, the “hand-made” finish, touches of fashion and his famous, unmistakeable plaited leather. The models have a contemporary design, combining the comfort, flexible materials and neat finishes that are the mark of his identity. As a result of a totally mastered technique, plaited leather (the brand’s DNA) may be found on the strap of a pretty strap-sandal, on the platform heel of a sandal or on a hand bag. The plaiting is famous for its alternating strips of leather 3 to 5 mm wide. The fineness of the strips means that the leather moulds easily to the shape of the foot to ensure that “you can’t feel the shoe”, the true hallmark of luxury shoes.

Stephane Kélian works cleverly with his materials: for example, his “wood-effect” leather-covered heels. He may be defined as a “sculptor-shoemaker” for the way in which his heels and soles are cratsman-shaped to reveal a delightful harmony. The very high heel to emphasise a pretty instep, the welt detail on certain boots, the hand-stitching detail on the sole, the aerodynamically-shape “block sole on the sandal: the brand cultivates the distinguishing signs of the shoemaker-designer. The platform heel models, very representative of the Kélian style, are very carefully designed and provide a light step.

In terms of leather, the brand chooses responsive, supple materials such as full grain calfskin, goat and python; it uses bold “calfskin” prints (foal style).

The brand is considered to be a creative benchmark for the French shoe industry and has never shown a lack of taste. It will be distributed in selected multi-brand stores and has other plans in store for 2009. For summer 2010, the shoe collection will be accompanied by a full range of bags, belts and accessories that will give pride of place to the famous plaited leather.