Julia Lundsten collaborates with Faith Solo

Julia Lundsten is fast emerging as one of the most promising and talented shoe designers, with her label Finsk, launched in 2004. Finnish born Lundsten has established herself as a designer with a strong vision and unique, directional style.

Lundsten graduated from London’s Royal College of Art in 2003 and won the prestigious Manolo Blahnik Award two years running. ‘Exquisite, divine and perfect’ are just some of the words Blahnik has used to describe her shoes.

With an architect father and interior designer mother, Lundsten has cultivated an eye for design, clearly reflected in her work. Some of her biggest inspirations have derived from natural architecture. Likening a shoe to that of a chair, Lundsten says the heel and sole are the chair legs, with the upper, the seat.

Julia’s latest collaboration is with High Street Favourite, Faith Shoes. The collection will be available from April 2008. Faith is delighted to work with Julia as she is being recognised in the footwear industry as one of the most directional designers internationally.

Julia is also very excited about the project: “The designer ranges at Faith Solo are more than just high street collaborations. The designers are given total creative freedom, which makes the project totally unique.

“The creative freedom has given me the opportunity to design something directional and truly different for Faith, using the highest quality materials and finishes.”

Julia wanted to use traditional high quality materials in a modern way to create a new contemporary aesthetic. Architectural shapes from the works of Alvar Aalto and Eero Saarinen as well as colours and moods from animations by Studio Ghibli and the Moomins by Tove Jansson were also big inspirations.

For further information, visit Faith.co.uk.