Jeffrey Campbell hits Manila
It’s a homecoming of sorts for shoe designer Jeffrey Campbell, who learned how to make shoes in Marikina’s factories early in his career. With his eponymous line debuting at Fashion Forum in SM Makati this month, he has come full circle.
The shy and mysterious Campbell, who seems to prefer letting his shoes speak for themselves, asked Ty McBride, brand specialist at Jeffrey Campbell, NYC to speak with On The Radar about his career in shoemaking, his inspirations and future plans.
Has Jeffrey always been in the fashion/design industry?
Ty McBride: Jeffrey Campbell got his start at Nordstrom as did his brother and business partner. They both went in different directions, but both stayed in the world of shoes. Jeffrey has been focused on sales, development, product design and shoe building for many years. However, his namesake collection has recently turned 10 years old.
How did Jeffrey get into shoe design?
It was this process of learning, working and growing. It was developing tastes and with the support of his wife and family that he launched a career with his LA-based team. The collection is a collaborative effort, but one that is amazing and very fashion forward.
I hear Jeffrey learned shoemaking in Marikina. How did he end up there and what was the experience like?
Jeffrey was working for a small fashion design house that wanted to produce footwear and boots in exotic skins. This is where he fell in love with the Philippine people and culture. At that time, Jeffrey worked hand in hand with the staff to develop last-minute samples for shows and VIP clients.
Jeffrey Campbell has become a household name (in households of those in the know) in just 10 years. To whom or what do you attribute that success LA?
Oh my, that is so kind. We are actually a small brand, tons of people don’t know about us. We simply try to make fun shoes, deliver great products and stay on the shopping list of fashion-forward stylistas globally.
Your shoes range from delicately strappy to extremely chunky and edgy. But all the designs are still very much distinctively Jeffrey Campbell. What’s a Jeffrey Campbell signature, if there is one?
That is a tricky question. I suppose I can say that Jeffrey has always offered a collection that is item based. There are no seasons, themes, or directions per se to the collection. You can see our signature in the details, materials, branding, and in the product’s charm.
From where does Jeffrey draw inspiration? I hear vintage pieces are a great starting point. Which decade would you say is a favorite?
Well, we have a great archive in LA, but the entire JC team is always shopping, searching, trending and keeping an ear to the ground. I would say we are inspired by the woman on the street. We love DIY looks, vintage-inspired pieces and people who are bold and strong. We are not inspired by one generation, but I will say it seems like a lot of our fall look is either ’70s or ’90s.
Who is the Jeffrey Campbell girl?
The Jeffrey Campbell girl is not one girl, that is for sure. We started, and maintain, a strong presence in brick-and-mortar boutiques. This boutique presence allows you to have a myriad of clients, age ranges, demographics and looks under your belt. We do not create the collection with one specific client in mind — we are searching for items that inspire us.
The Charli clog is so right on trend. How do you see or know what’s going to be hot?
We do not always know, but we make a lot of effort and a lot of samples. We are always searching. With Charli, we have been doing clogs for several seasons so finally it all just kind of clicked and that shoe was a success for us. We make so many great shoes, and some are more famous than others, but all have their relevance, and some resurface years later.
Where are Jeffrey Campbell shoes made?
We make about 80 percent of the collection in China, and 20 percent in Spain.
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Jeffrey Campbell shoes are available exclusively at the Fashion Forum, a multi-brand section on the 3/F Ladies Wear section of SM Makati.
