Barefoot until shoe-happy

CHENNAI: Three-inch heels are usually the first sign of a fashion show. But on Friday evening models sashayed barefoot into Pavers England at Express Avenue, Royapettah and chose their footwear on the spot. For once, there were no stilettoes — maybe a few peep toe wedge heels at best for that oomph factor on a hot summer day. Launching the brand's Spring/Summer collection in the city, CEO and managing director Utsav Seth says, "This is the first time that the kick-off for a collection has happened in Chennai." He explained, "Often Chennai is stocked with the last month's collection, but we have come to realise that we have a market of very discerning customers here."Incidentally, Seth has quite the shoe fetish himself. "I have around 100 pairs back home in Mumbai," he laughs, and points to his feet in the latest addition -- his dual toned beige dress shoes from the S/S collection. Glancing at the racks, it is evident that the trends this season highlight earthy tones, light blues and mint greens with a number of nude tones to choose from. Watch out for international trends like pop colours, organic silhouettes and bold floral prints with origami detailing that serve to compliment one's attire any time of the day. For the ladies, there are criss-cross ballet flats and embellished flats to make a statement on a more formal evening out. And for the men, classic suede loafers, rugged leather sandals and moccasins which spell comfort and style, irrespective of the occasion. "We have put the focus on footwear that is lightweight and flexible," states Seth. "Really with the scorching heat, it is important to simply stay comfortable. That's the reason most of the designs are not closed shoes, so there is room for the skin to breathe."And as predicted, all five models chose to try on open toe flats, in a fashion sequence choreographed by Karun Raman.