Fashion Fridays: Designer Ruthie Davis Wears it Well

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Footwear Webdesk
Fashion Fridays
October 28, 2011

Mad for Shoes
Ruthie Davis makes her reality TV debut, dons a killer outfit and dishes on her latest collection.

Why should stilettos have all the fun? Celebrity footwear designer Ruthie Davis (below) made her stylish reality television debut on the premiere episode of Mad Fashion. The Bravo series followed former Project Runway designer Chris March and his creative crew as they constructed a dress for Davis covered in her iconic shoes. Here, the designer talks about the collaboration and what it was like to be the “belle of the shoe-ball.” —Angela Velasquez

How did the collaboration come about? Chris has designed performance outfits for Beyonce and knew about my shoes because she had worn them. And I needed an amazing, show-stopping outfit for my Fall ’11 shoe and handbag event and thought, “Why not be the bell of the shoe ball with an over-the-top outfit?” That’s what Chris does better than anyone else, so contacting him was a no-brainer.

What was your first reaction when you saw the dress he designed for you? I was shown the outfit incrementally, so I was first really blown away by the leather bustier jacket with one of my spike Swarovski Crystal encrusted heels gracing each shoulder. I was really drawn to the jacket and miniskirt with the bondage strapping overlay on it, and totally dumbfounded that there was more to the outfit. When the metal hoop skirt was unveiled, complete with 8 of my sky-high heels soldered to the inside, I almost fell over.

Did the outfit capture your personal style? It was a bit beyond my more minimalist style. However, it did capture me in the sense that I’m pretty fun loving and don’t take myself too seriously. I’m also a go-for-it kind of girl. When Chris and I met for the dress consultation, I really didn’t put any limitations on what he could do. Ironically, the only thing I did say was, “It would be kind of cliché for a shoe designer to show up in a dress with shoes on it.” I guess he thought otherwise!

How do you think yours and Chris March’s designs complement one another? Both of us love bright colors, spikes, glitter and things with a wow factor. I like his playful demeanor and his out-of-the-box design style. I also love to design things that are fun and happy, but I think he and I both also have a love for what is sexy and sultry.

Are you a reality TV fan? I’ve watched them all, but lately I find myself preferring shows that are more real like Intervention and Locked Up. I also like shows where the characters are actually doing their real jobs, like Jeff Lewis in Flipping Out. I like a sneak peak into another entrepreneur’s trials and tribulations.

If you were to have your own reality show, what would it be called? I currently have a show in development with the producers of Bravo’s Mad Fashion… You’ll just have to wait and see!

What can we expect to see in your Spring ’12 collection? My latest collection is actually very Chris March-like in that it is really colorful with lots of color blocking. In fact, my outsole color for the season is a bubblegum pastel coral, which I launched on my Dennis Basso NYC Fashion Week stilettos. I was inspired by the ’70s—a little Charlie’s Angels with a mix of plastic fantastic and West Coast hippy chic.

What are your favorite shoes right now? My favorites are my Jewel peep-toe pumps with my new jumbo spikes in multi-neon topped of with a multi-colored Swarovski crystal heel. I also love my Candy pump in coral patent with its high-shine cork platform and heel with a hot pink counter. I adore her!