08/01/08
Text: Nik Mercer
Camper—long known for its simple yet rugged quality—has been pursuing something of a face lift in the 21st century, and with loads of success. The popular Pelotas and Peu shoes are still around, but added to the core of Camper's collection is a wide and experimental selection of women and children's shoes, not to mention plenty of fashionable men's pieces more appropriate for the workplace than urban hiking.
In 2006, Jamie Hayon—a young Spanish artist and designer who lives and works out of London—came on board to reapply and re-imagine the traditional aesthetics and character of the Majorcan firm. Hayon, who has experience in working with toy manufacturers, design firms, and high-end producers like Swarovski, Bisazza, Piper, and Bosa, did indeed bring something new to the table! The narrow, pointed-toe lace-ups are "a sporty shoe with a touch of elegance, or vice versa, that hides some surprises that make it all the more special, like the feel of the laces or the linen interior."
As Hayon says of his work, "I wanted to find a form that stylized the foot, like the tap dancing shoes. I have always liked the character of dance shoes because they remind me of a music-hall." We'd say he successfully reached his goal.
