carrie coops beau

Beau Coops at Selfridges display

One of the best things about Beau Coops, the shoe label, is that it's designer Carrie Cooper is an Australian who comes up with entirely original styles. She creates the trends rather than follows them yet manages to maintain a classic appeal to many of her designs. Unique to a lot of Australian shoe labels is the fact that 90% of her products are made in Italy with really the finest materials - trust me on this, that leather is buttery soft - yet not to the detriment of price. Her shoes tend to sit in the medium to high price range, perhaps $300-$500, yet considering the quality & design are quite well priced. And believe me on this as well, really comfy.

Carrie Cooper only launched her debut shoe line, Beau Coops, in 2009 but prior to that she had 8 years experience designing for Alexander McQueen for Puma, Eley Kishimoto and also Bernhard Willhelm. The brand name carries her namesake with 'Coops', whereas the 'Beau' refers to a stylish gentleman or dandy* and she prefers to use the term 'boyfriend chic' to describe the aesthetic of her label. Her current collection 'Statement of Intent' AW11 consists of chunky wedges and platform pumps, androgynous flat boots with a focus on the ankle cut with little twists of material, lacing and other detail, all inspired by her love of equestrian culture: riding, polo, the horses. So gorgeous to look at and wear.

I love pony hair!

The 'Scuba' wedge

Beau Coops for Karen Walker

For interviews with Carrie Cooper see:

Pages Digital - Catching Up With Carrie Cooper 

The Vine - Interview: Carrie Cooper of Beau Coops Shoes 

(both sources of all images)

Official Page:

Beau Coops Shoes

Facebook Page:

BEAU COOPS 

*Dandy: The model British dandy was George Bryan 'Beau' Brummell (1778-1840) who basically became a celebrity for doing absolutely nothing and from being absolutely no one (one of the first), he wasn't of aristocratic blood, except he was always exceptionally & immaculately well-dressed even when unkempt in body. He was highly regarded in circles around the Prince for his style and set innovative fashion trends which we still see today: sober tones rather than the aristocratic favour for colours; focus on clean lines, cut & quality of fabric rather than the prevalent frill and fancy trim; popularised long trouser pants rather than cropped breeches; and placed an emphasis on the tying of neckwear. When he eventually did come into a sum of money upon his father's death he squandered it and died a pauper in a lunatic asylum. Ah but the life of a dandy!