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The creator of a stunning footwear collection has designed a Bahrain range of sandals after two expat fans urged her to make an impression in the Middle East.
Aspiga, the brainchild of British designer Lucy Macnamara, features leather-beaded sandals, flip flops, belts, baskets and beachwear handmade in Africa and more recently in India.
Helen Gallagher and Carole Macphail are devotees of the range and decided that the kingdom could be an ideal market to share their enthusiasm.
They met up with the designer in September in Dubai to discuss developing the project. As a result a preview fashion show was staged last week in the kingdom highlighting some of the new Bahrain Collection featuring a 'Sheesha Sandal' in Helen's home in Janusan.
Helen, a mother-of-three, said: "The idea developed after we spoke to Lucy. We worked quite closely with her to develop the right style for our market, keeping them comfortable and fashionable. We noticed that silver is a big colour this year so we have tons of silver and metallic."
"This was a taster event for us, a preview launch, as we will have our entire collection on hand for a main occasion taking place in February."
Carole, also a mother-of-three, who lives in Saar, added: "This is a fantastic opportunity to bring something different to the kingdom.
"Each individual sandal has been hand-made so every pair is unique. The quality of the beadings and the jewels are very eye-catching as well.
"Certain designs like the Cobra or the Sheesha sandal can really add some pizzazz to an outfit and they have been created specifically for Bahrain.
"We have a wide variety of sandals from beach wear to formal affairs. You can wear them in the day time or for work and then switch them up for the evening. It's a 'must have' accessory and extremely versatile."
Models showed off a variety of sandals and colourful beach attire alongside a display of the collection at the villa event which attracted more than 20 shoe lovers. Prices start from BD20.
The reaction from the audience was positive. Housewife Jill Mottram, from Saar, said: "I think the collection is very wearable and really pretty."
Linda Harrison, visiting from Dubai, also loved the designs. She said: "There are similar things like this in Dubai but most feature high heels so it is nice to finally see flats that are glamorous to wear too. I wear a lot of flats so this is perfect for me."
"Every beach wardrobe needs a pair of Aspiga sandals," wrote acclaimed fashion critic, Maggie O'Sullivan recently.
The Aspiga range is currently sold throughout Europe, The Caribbean, US, Hong Kong and Australia. Twenty per cent of all her profits are donated to the Brydges Orphanage, located near Nairobi.
"I set up Aspiga five years ago after visiting Kenya on holiday, and falling in love, not only with the country itself, but with their stunning sandals and so many of their other wonderful hand-made products," Lucy explained.
"I now have six suppliers in Kenya, where the majority of our products are made, who are individuals, with small work forces - not large factories - giving much needed jobs to local men and women in their community.
"The work they receive from Aspiga, they often tell us, ensures their livelihoods and that of their families."
A Bahrain-based website is currently under construction but for further information on the designs, email Helen or Carole at Bahrain@aspiga.com
