The catalyst for this collection was the commission by stylist Karl Templer to create 5 women's and 5 mens boots for the September 2009 Steven Meisel Italian Vogue Photo story.

These were to feature alongside clothes by John Galliano Vivienne Westwood and Prada with hats by Steven Jones also specially commissioned. Initially we were given a mood-board with a distinctive Victorian/ Dickensian twist so it was this that was foremost in our minds during the design process. In making this collection we were inspired by an heirloom; an old legal document on parchment featuring the phrase "to have and to hold" in beautiful pen and ink. From this a door into another world opened up; one of old etchings, clocks, tapestries and the cards of fortune. As each new design emerged from this mysterious narrative, the shoes took on their individual personalities and like characters falling from the pages of some long forgotten story, an eclectic gathering both wonderful and strange came together.. and so…. Once upon a time…