Hillary Chan Latos

“I never did anything with shoes, but then I made a pair from scratch during a summer shoe-design course in New York’s Lower East Side,” said Hillary Chan Latos, founder of Jour & Nuit. Her education cost $300, roughly the amount customers now pay for her fabulous flats. The brand, which launched in spring 2007, caters to jet-set women who want high-fashion to go. Enter Latos’ patent-pending clasp—a small device which allows shoes to transition from jour to nuit with interchangeable uppers. For spring ’08, Latos is adding interchangeable handbags with belts and jewelry on the horizon. We recently spoke to Latos about what’s next, what’s hot, and why. Below is an extended, Web-only version of our exclusive interview, which first appeared in our October issue.

What trends are hot right now in women’s footwear?

Pearlized finishes and exotic skins. While platforms will still be hot, you will see a return to delicate shapes.

The Brooke sandal, shown here for nighttime

What trends do you see on the horizon?

I think you will see more interchangeability in accessories, higher heels, and more comfortable bases. You’ll probably less Swarovski crystals. In bags, I think the trend will stay with oversized styles, but you will see more texture and layers added with metal accessories.

How did you come up with the concept for your clasp?

I wanted to create something discreet and sleek, yet strong and fashionable. The clasp was based on a bracelet that I owned. I worked with an aerospace engineering company who designed this clasp to have a strength of 240,000 pounds per square inch, and it is plated in 14-karat gold and white gold over stainless steel so it won’t rust.

A lavender alligator sandal is ready for daytime with a scarf tie and piped toe strap.

Tell us about your new spring ’08 collection.

The season is based on the Côte d’Azur and Saint-Tropez in the summer. With colors of sand and baby blue, like the ocean and mother of pearl and soft pearlized neutrals. I used crocodile, stingray, python, whipsnake, and napa. I love the semi precious stone ornaments I used with rose quartz and tiger eye.

What were your design inspirations for spring ’08?

I was inspired by the glitzy nights and beachy days spent during the summer in St Tropez. I used many ornaments based on nature from semi precious stones like coral, pearl and rose quartz to coral pieces and starfish designs.

The same sandal dazzles for nighttime with a printed silk toe strap and jeweled T-strap.

You’ve added bags for spring ’08. How do they fit into the Jour & Nuit concept?

I wanted to extend the concept of interchangeable accessories that take you from day to night, so I created several bags with interchangeable flaps that reverse from crocodile to patent or stingray to snake that match the shoes. Also for evening bags the flaps are removable and interchangeable with an invisible zipper, which is a perfect solution for traveling.

What was it like designing shoes versus bags? Any unique challenges?

It’s quite different. You are working with different scales and technical restraints. I think shoes are much more difficult as there are about 70 components that all relate to each other and if one element is not balanced or corrected the entire shoe is affected, while handbags don’t have to support your weight.

The Jewel sandal, shown for daytime

What have you found are the best ways to reach your customers?

Blog sites are a great way to get direct feedback from your customers. It is instant and easy to get information disseminated quickly.

Who is the Jour & Nuit customer?

The Jour & Nuit woman is sophisticated, travels, and is looking for something different and unique. She likes to stand out from the crowd and doesn’t buy something just because it’s a label. She is many people—a lady who lunches or a high powered executive, a fashionista or a preppy princess.

The Lesley sandal, shown here for daytime

How do you strengthen your relationships with buyers and retailers?

I think going to the shows like WSA and MICAM and meeting the buyers face to face helps as I can interact directly with them and hear feedback about the line and what their customers are looking for. Also, doing trunk shows and providing support with marketing and pr helps boost sales on the retail level.

Which other designers do you admire?

I think Maud Frizon was a real pioneer for the luxury shoe market.

If you could change something about the industry, what would it be?

So many buyers are caught up in just the name brands and buying deeper into the names. I think they should take more of a chance on discovering new talent.

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