Charles Jourdan Shoes Are Making an 'Aggressive' Comeback

Posted Jul 31st 2009 at 8:00PM by Amber Stolec (Subscribe to Amber Stolec's posts)

Filed under: News

A Charles Jourdan ad circa 1980. The brand was one of the first to advertise in high-end fashion magazines. Photo: eBay

In vintage circles, the name Charles Jourdan -- the French designer who was born the same year as Coco Chanel -- is synonymous with innovative shoes popular in the Sixties and Seventies.

Vintage being the key word since the famous footwear hasn't been in production for several years. But shoe addicts rejoice, the brand is poised for a major comeback.

The iconic shoe brand will be relaunched in October during Paris Fashion Week. And though we do expect the fashion set to take note, it will be difficult to rival the success the company experienced during its Studio 54 heyday.

And while Joe Ouaknine, the head of Charles Jourdan North America, told WWD that the shoes will retain their original charm, he added, "We put more emphasis on aggressive-looking, flashy shoes."

To accomplish the bolder, more provocative pump, the company recruited the master of edgy-chic shoe design, Alexandra Neel. After all, she has Balenciaga and Celine on her resume.

It sounds like Neel is down to create some killer shoes for the brand, telling British Elle, "I try to do something very different for stiletto addicts who are looking for something other than [the] usual."

Stay tuned for pics of the new styles.

Tags: Alexandra-Neel, Balenciaga, Celine, Charles-Jourdan, Footwear, Seventies, Shoes, Sixties, Studio-54, Vintage

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

carol 8-01-2009 @ 8:20AM

While reading this article I recalled owning a wonderful pair of Charles Jourdan shoes many years ago. What a great pair of pumps. I look forward to the new collection, I just hope they are not to "way out".

Shell 8-01-2009 @ 8:57AM

Still waiting for "Rockport comfort" to do a line with a major "sexy" shoe retailer. Sexy shoes are never comfortable, Heels too high for tall women, no padding under balls of feet, toes, arch or heel, Shoe fashion designers, all of them, don't stop to think..about introducing theit same line as a comfort model. Yes, we need a shoe designer who can think beyond good looks and look inside the shoe!

john 8-01-2009 @ 8:58AM

I would rather see the late 60`s sneaker...."Red Ball Jets" make the comeback...they were cheap and durable

Carol 8-01-2009 @ 9:04AM

Do commenters post on any and all topics with their own aggendas? Skimming, I only noted one post that actually had anything to do with the storyline. Just so you know, I skip past the unrelated topics, (read here garbage). The first few words and I don't care what the post reads.

It sounds like the new shoe designs will be way out there.

Gilda Hanchey 8-01-2009 @ 9:27AM

I am so THRILLED! I loved his shoes with a passion! I used to own so many. They were the BEST! I had a friend who worked at a Jourdan store. He would call me when new styles arrived and I would rush over! They were like no other shoes out there. Always distinctive styling and so well constructed. I have often wondered what happened to the company and why I never saw his shoes anymore. I still have one beautiful pair in perfect condition, that I have had since the 80's. The style STILL holds up.
Welcome back Charles Jourdan!

Sonja 8-01-2009 @ 9:28AM

How about bringing back PF's. Keds have been back for quite awhile. Forget it with more high heels - never wear them and most people shouldn't. They are very bad for the feet.

kat 8-01-2009 @ 9:58AM

wooohoo i love heels thats about all i wear!!! I Can't Wait.

rufus 8-01-2009 @ 10:19AM

these people that post spam on here are low life lying pieces of crap, and what they are pushing is plain useless junk, just about as useless as they are.

catlady 8-02-2009 @ 11:55AM

I sure hope the new Charles Jordan Collection will live true to the Great Designers name. I lived through the 70's and early 80's of the the best of the best of this great shoe designer--then something went terribly wrong. The shoes looked like plastic, very uncomfortable, no longer made in France--seems like it happened over nite. It was saying saying "Avoir" to an icon and a dear friend. (Women have an attachement to shoes as if they are their best friends--if you have not noticed!!!) I only hope this new preimere line is of safistication, elegance and the femine style Monsieur Charles Jordan once designed with pride. We have been over wellemed with shoe designers flooding the market with 4 inch heels, studs, altypes af mardi gras decor. And the price tag is unreal. We would not mind spending $$$$$ if we could walk in them and a business women could look presentable. All of us are not 20--most of us are 40-50 and want to look like ladies. We can not wear flats and driving shoes wth a suit. So little selection. Think femine and elegant please----------

Shuz 8-01-2009 @ 12:39PM

Alexandra Neel the designer????...Please..that't the kiss of death already.

Hadley 8-01-2009 @ 12:46PM

What does a provocative and aggressive shoe look like? Better yet, what does a provocative and aggressive shoe do?
Silly!

douttfire 8-01-2009 @ 1:01PM

Man! I was hoping Thom McAn was bringing back the Exersole!! Or maybe Kinney Shoes was bring back G.A.S.S. shoes! Or Pro-Keds!!

Relady 8-01-2009 @ 1:06PM

I am soooooooooooooo happy Charles Jourdan shoes are coming back. I would buy them all the time from Neimans in the early 90's. I still have a pair I purchased in Munich, Germany in 1994. And yes they are still stylish. I can't wait the only heel I can wear for hours without my feet flinching. LOL Welcome back!!!!!!!!!!!!

Louise 8-04-2009 @ 4:35AM

I’m a huge fan Charles Jordan Shoes and I still have an old great pair of them. I’m looking forward to this new collection and let me share with you a site where you can find them at affordable prices. So here it is:

http://www.shoehustler.com