Walter Steiger, Helmut Newton & the Return of the 'Monte Carlo'
"Look at the relationship between the sole, the shoe and the skin. It hurts to see"
- Helmut Newton
Over recent years, shoe designer Walter Steiger has collaborated with many artists, but his longest and most fruitful collaboration had been with the photographer Helmut Newton. They had met each other as young artist living in 1960's Swinging London and their friendship had grown stronger. Spun throughout their careers, this photographer - designer duo inspired the other to excel in the fashion industry. Newton's early work exclusively featured Steiger Shoes, while Walter turned Newton's timeless photographs to champion the brand.
In 1983, Newton captured a photograph of a woman's stocking foot in a Steiger heel, called Walter Steiger, Monte Carlo which was recognised as one of the iconic images by Newton. Walter Steiger had recreate his iconic "Monte Carlo" heel for his collection, which was the same shoe captured in Newton's 1983's "Monte Carlo" portrait. The photograph displayed a Satin Steiger heel trimmed with gold lining. This recreation is now available at the Grand Palais in Paris, at the very opening of the exhibit.
Walter Steiger for Akris SS 2011 Shoes
The Akris Spring 2011 show was inspired by designer Albert Kriemler's vacation trip to Japan. In collaboration with Akris, Walter Steiger created the wedge called the "ishi" or "stone" in Japanese. The objective was to recreate the look and posture of standing without shoes on a round stone, with the toes perpetually pointed downwards.
