Thursday, February 27, 2014

Sam & Libby relaunches shoe that made them famous...

Sam and Libby Edelman met and fell in love at a shoe fair in 1979. Then this "perfect match" started their eponymous brand, Sam & Libby, in 1987. They found their calling after a trip overseas inspired them to re-create the fashionable European ballet flat for the American girl. Now after nearly 30 years on the market, the brand re-launched the classic design with Target in 9 colors and priced at just $29.99.  Recently A Bullseye View  sat down with Libby to get the story behind the iconic shoe.
What makes the ballet flat so iconic?
Really, it was Bridget Bardot who made the ballet flat so famous. She always wore them in St. Tropez and loved the ballet more than anyone! Women across America fell in love and it soon became the “must-have” shoe—everyone owned a pair! We created our first ballet flat almost three decades ago, adding a bow to the toe.

Why re-launch the ballet flat now?
It’s a great shoe for spring because it works with skirts, dresses, shorts and jeans. And they’re not just great for warmer months; ballet flats have become a go-to all year round. They’re easy to pack and they travel well.

What does the ballet flat mean to the modern woman?
The ballet flat is a staple in any woman’s wardrobe—she wears them every day. Women want to feel a bit sexy and the Sam & Libby bow ballet flat is going to be what she’s looking for this season. Half the fun is deciding what color to choose!

What is your favorite feature about the shoe?
The bow ballet flat has stood the test of time—it was as perfect then as it is now. We are proud not only of the overall design, but also the emotional response that women have to the shoe.
[Shown above in yellow is an original pair of Sam & Libby flats, next to the new Target version in red]

2 comments:

Elizabeth said...

I have to say, that even after all these years, these are still pretty cute. I have some infant soft versions of these that I bought for my daughter back in 1990. They are so darn cute, and I still have them. Happy to see that they relaunched these, given that they would now fit in again with the current trend of the 80's look.

Unknown said...

I owned these in every color, until my dog ate them. I truly hope they are bringing them back. Love them. Most comfortable flat I ever wore.