It’s no secret that Beverly Feldman has a passion for shoes. A footwear designer for nearly 40 years, she’s found success with her eponymous collection, and launched her newest line, Fifi & Elvis, for spring ’09. 

Beverly Feldman at her shoe museum in Alicante, Spain

 Feldman’s latest endeavor, however, was opening the doors to her own shoe museum in Alicante, Spain. In addition to handbags and hats, more than 1,500 pairs of shoes fill the shelves in the museum’s two rooms. Some items date as far back as 200 years ago. “Everything is bought for inspiration,” she says. “As the museum grows, now I just buy when I find shoes with historic value.” Feldman gave WSAToday.com the inside scoop on her spring ’09 collection, and how woman’s intuition sets her apart from the competition.

What are the five hottest trends for spring ’09?
I can only go by my collection, and I am doing medium heels, and staying away from super high, ridiculous constructions. Highlights include colorful patchwork combinations and casual and natural fabrics like denim and raffia that are combined and contrasted with golden buckles and extravagant ornaments. Shiny patent leathers and fun metallics for daytime are prevalent. The return of ’50s chic kitten heels, easy slides and the new stable and chunky heels will delight customers. Mother-of-pearl ornaments and mod ’60s-inspired flowers with rhinestone detail and colorful floral bouquets of precious glass beads will also step out.

Bora Bora by Beverly Feldman

What are the hottest colors?
My strongest color [combinations] are white and gold and gold and leopard, both with rhinestones. Also a lot of cuoio with rhinestones.

What’s the hottest material?
I do mixed media and never depend on one material.

What do you, as a designer, do better than the competition?
That’s really easy—design. I am one of the most creative and innovative designers around, at least in my very un-modest opinion. Also, I make sure my shoes are comfortable, which a lot of designers (men) forget about. I fit and wear all my designs. I am a woman designing for other women, and that’s the big difference.

Venezia by Beverly Feldman

What’s on the horizon?
Trend wise, I think tan calf leather is going to be a hit, and we have had enough patent to last a few decades.

If you could change something about the industry, what would it be?
I would bring it back to when everything wasn’t on promotion every week. We need a democratic economy, not republican. Republicans don’t buy enough shoes, they never did.

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