Designers recreate Cinderella's glass slipper

Nine designers including Charlotte Olympia, Nicholas Kirkwood and Jimmy Choo, are collaborating with Disney to celebrate the release of its up-coming film, Cinderella, by recreating the fairy tale star’s iconic glass slipper in their own visions.

Paul Andrew, Alexandre Birman, René Caovilla, Salvatore Ferragamo, Jerome C. Rousseau, and Stuart Weitzman are also participating in the project to created their own interpretation of the famed glass slipper Cinderella accidentally leaves behind when the clock strikes midnight.

The designs are representative of each designer, with Alexandre Birman reinterpreting his classic Johanna pump, while Salvatore Ferragamo has designed a cage heel covered with Swarovski crystals, and Charlotte Olympia opted to make a transparent platform shoe using her signature PVC and perspex adorned with star and crystal detailing.

The film is scheduled for release in March and the collection of shoes will be unveiled together for the first time within the Cinderella Exhibit at the Berlin Film Festival on February 13. The shoes will then be available to order from around the world at the designers’ stores, as well as Harrods, Saks Fifth Avenue, Galeries Lafayette, Excelsior Milano, Tsum, Isetan Shinjuku, and in the shoe district of the Dubai Mall.

“Cinderella’s glass slipper has become a magical symbol of transformation,” said David Lee, footwear director, Disney EMEA. “Each pair of shoes in this exciting global collection captures Cinderella’s elegance and grace through the lens of celebrated designers, making this shoe collection truly fit for a princess.”

Jimmy Choo, Charlotte Olympia and Nicholas Kirkwood recreate Cinderella’s slipper

Commenting on her participation, Sandra Choi, creative director at Jimmy Choo, said: “I think every girl desires a Cinderella moment in their lives. This story ignites a love affair and fascination with shoes that never dies. The power they have to transform is instilled from a young age and the fantasy remains alive forever. I wanted to create a shoe that felt magical, with alluring sparkle and a feminine, timeless silhouette evoking those childhood emotions.”

Nicholas Kirkwood added: “Cinderella has both delicate and strong qualities as a character. The moment of transformation emphasises both and gave me the design inspiration to create a piece that spoke to the film’s magic.”

Disney's live-action version of the fairytale, stars Downton Abbey's Lily James in the title role and Cate Blanchett as her wicked stepmother, and opens in cinemas in the UK from March 27.

Images: Jimmy Choo, Nicholas Kirkwood and Charlotte Olympia sketches