Libertas designer Savannah Grace Auger.

Give Me Libertas

A YOUNG DESIGNER'S SANDAL LINE LAUNCHES INTO HEELS

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (April 20, 2007)—All hands (and feet) were on deck for the spring/summer '07 launch party of up-and-coming footwear and accessories line Libertas, held last night at spa and fashion boutique Hands On. Libertas designer Savannah Grace Auger celebrated her growing line with a private shindig for dozens of her friends and fans.

Guests crowded into Hands On to see Auger's designs.

Guests filled the unique two-level space, hoping to get their hands—and toes—on Auger's newest lace cork wedges, snakeskin embossed flip-flops and kitten heels. Just the day before, the crowd was a little different. Britney Spears dropped into the spa for a French manicure, followed by what Hands On manager Azzie Karampour described as "60 or so paparazzi. It was just crazy."

A bronze Libertas wedge from the fall '07 collection shines.

Camera flashbulbs weren't the accessory at last night's party; instead, guests nibbled on scrumptious Italian-style hors d'oeuvres and sipped wine and Pellegrino. They also reaped the benefits of luxe gift bags, complimentary polish changes upstairs in the spa and shopping privileges downstairs at the store.

"I think Hands On kind of embodies my vision of what life should be like—a relaxed, pampered, glamorous life," Auger told WSAToday.com. Indeed, the store and spa feels like a luxurious beach house tucked away on bustling Beverly Boulevard. Store owner Don Conner said the chic and breezy line was a "natural fit" for his business, best described as equal parts "retail therapy" and full-service spa for tired hands and feet.

Manicures aren't just for the ladies anymore at this spa and fashion boutique.

Keeping feet happy and pampered is what Auger hopes her footwear line accomplishes. "It shouldn't hurt to be sexy," she said. "I own too many shoes that are just impossible to wear. Libertas means freedom in Latin and creating this line is, for me, freedom in so many ways."

This spring marks the first time heels appear in the two-year-old brand. "We started out with flip-flops," the former Lacoste and Amadei designer said. She pointed to the ¾-inch reinforced heels on her signature thongs. "To do heels and wedges, I had to study them to make sure they would work and still feel like you're wearing flip-flops." Growing up, Auger was influenced both by her father, a British jazz musician, and her mother, an Italian designer. When Auger isn't busy making shoes, she sings lead for her father's acid jazz band, Oblivion Express.

These wearable Libertas sandals keep feet happy.

The line reflects her heritage, a seamless mix of English quirk, California cool and Italian craftsmanship. Shoes retail anywhere from $130 to $300, handbags from $160 to $400 and belts from $100 to $200. "I wanted to make a high-end shoe that wasn't astronomically priced," Auger noted. Libertas designs are carried nationwide in boutiques such as Canvas in San Francisco and Pixie & Ivy in Houston.

If last night's event was any indication, Auger's already amassed quite a fan base. In the boutique, ladies paired their newly purchased Libertas heels and sandals with breezy cotton jersey dresses and tops from the likes of Splendid, Vince and Alice + Olivia. "I'm addicted to the sandals and these belts. I can't have enough," said Libertas admirer Doris Cuevas-Calogero. She summed up the night perfectly, saying, "It's like nail polish, jewelry and fabulous underwear—a girl can never have enough!"

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