Elite Traveler November-December 2017

DISCOVER

elite traveler NOV/DEC 2017 42

ONE FOR THE LADIES

With a female artistic director, Paula Gerbase, in house, it’s a natural evolution for storied men’s shoemaker John Lobb to reintroduce its women’s ready-to-wear collection (bespoke women’s shoes were always available in its Paris atelier, and Gerbase tells us that women have been buying the men’s shoes in smaller sizes for years). Handmade in Northampton, England using a 190-step manufacturing process, each elegant shoe is expertly crafted and durable, a welcome surprise for women who are accustomed to resoling shoes after just a few wears. Gerbase says: “As a woman, I have never been able to find the quality of raw materials, attention to detail and respect for the process in women’s footwear as I have experienced within menswear. The quality is simply not there.” Using its archive of incredible bespoke women’s shoes as inspiration, John Lobb introduces six styles with traditional details including hand-wheeled soles and decorative nail heel patterns. The most fashion-forward shoe is the Willow, a low boot with three buckles, and you’ll find loafers, Chelsea boots, single-buckle shoes, reverse Jodhpur boots and, of course, an Oxford. These styles will look just as good paired with fashion’s current 1990s revival as they will with a sharply tailored suit. John Lobb Willow boot, $1,550, available at John Lobb in New York, +1 212 249 3092, johnlobb.com

THE TM20

Tomas Maier’s eponymous brand has been a longstanding go-to for effortlessly casual, yet still stylish and sophisticated clothing. His covetable beach and swimwear, sumptuous knits and timeless accessories have charmed the fashion industry and in-the-know shoppers alike. This season, he releases the TM20 bag to celebrate the brand’s 20th anniversary. Featuring its signature palm tree in three different colored prints, it is exclusively available at the brand’s three stores in New York and Bal Harbour, or on its website. $890, tomasmaier.com

Fashion does good

Founded by Stacey Boyd, who holds an MBA and MA in Public Policy from Harvard, new luxury e-commerce site Olivela aims to make shopping a philanthropic experience. Simply by purchasing a covetable piece from some of fashion’s top designers, Olivela donates a portion of the proceeds to selected charities.

of money can have an enormous impact on children. Choose from designers such as Aquazzura, Dolce & Gabbana, Salvatore Ferragamo and Tod’s, and Olivela will be expanding to ready-to-wear soon. Fabulous finds that do good in the world? What’s not to love? Tod’s snakeskin bag, $2,425, olivela.com

will benefit the causes. For example, the Tod’s bag pictured below will provide 100 days of school to girls, courtesy of the Malala Fund. It was actually Malala Yousafzai herself who inspired the creation of Olivela. Yousafzai and Boyd visited refugee camps in Kenya and Rwanda, where Boyd saw firsthand how a small amount

Current causes include Good+ Foundation, which helps children in the US living below the poverty line; Too Young to Wed, whose mission is ending child marriage; VH1 Save the Music, which brings music back into education; and the Malala Fund, dedicated to educating girls around the world. Every purchase clearly states how it