Cecilie Bahnsen x Charles & Keith: Back to School

Words by Kate Sinclair

Scandi brand Cecilie Bahnsen, notably Copenhagens coolest export, has released an exclusive collection of shoes with Singaporean high street hit Charles and Keith.

Having captured the hearts and imagination of the fashion set and beyond with her feminine, whimsical dresses, Cecilie Bahnsen is undoubtedly the designer de jour. The CB style is instantly recognisable; dreamy floaty dresses with puff ball sleeves and delicate tie detailed backs, in the lightest of fabrics, ethereal and brimming with femininity.

Likewise, Charles and Kieth have quickly established themselves as the go to brand for affordable yet fashionable footwear. Originating in Singapore the brand are fast gaining global popularity.

Both brands share a love and passion for quality craftsmanship and emphasise the importance of sustainability within their practices, making them the ideal duo to collaborate.

“When meeting with Cecilie Bahnsen it was an instantaneous match as it would perfectly combine our shoe-making savoir faire and her incredible knowledge on fabrics craftmanship. We connected immediately when discussing new codes of femininity, her unique take on shapes, volumes and distinctive choice of fabrics.” – Charles and Keith

Together they have re-interpreted Cecilie Bahnsen’s signature style in the form of a capsule collection of stunning shoes. Having always championed flat shoes within the styling of her catwalks shows, campaigns and look books, Cecilie naturally chose to avoid any heeled or chunky styles, preferring the comfort and cool juxtaposition that simple flats bring to her hyper feminine creations.

With sustainability being at the forefront of their minds whilst creating the collection, all styles are created using CB’s eponymous recycled quilted satin as used in her previous collections. The new range consists of a number of Mary-Jane styles and a distinct mule in 3 different colours ways, reflecting the palette of Bahnsen’s latest runway collections – black, white and yellow.

“The idea was to be truthful to Cecilie ́s DNA, her unique take on women’s femininity and being able to re-translate her poetic dresses into shoes. This Collaboration was also about creating something unique and responsible, have a positive message through the Collection. Therefore, it came as an evidence to upcycle Cecilie’s beautiful fabrics to create a new whole one, a patchworkmade bespoke and the usage of a Recycled Satin material for the hand-drawn quilted embroidery styles.” – Charles and Keith

Fusing historical influences with contemporary cool, they were inspired by old school uniforms, focusing in particular on Charles and Keith’s take on the traditional Mary-Janes.

“I’ve always been fascinated by school uniforms. I think that explains why I loved the Mary Jane shoe in the Charles & Keith’s collection so much. It’s a traditional school-girlish shoe, but it also has that quality of a masculine-feminine contrast that I’m always looking for.” – Cecilie Bahnsen