Sarah Jessica Parker and her alter ego Carrie Bradshaw have stepped out in the most far-fetched, frivolous shoes imaginable. Yet, when it came time to create her own line, Parker turned the tables and opted for a refined and affordable approach. “I’m a firm believer in quality and timelessness and have created this collection with the hopes that women will love wearing it for years to come,” said the actress and producer.
Her label, named SJP, will launch at Nordstrom, nordstrom.com and a three-day pop-up store at 372 West Broadway on Feb. 28. It features more than 25 ladylike shoe styles made in Italy, along with three handbags and a fitted trench coat in beige or navy. It’s priced at an affordable luxury level, with most of the shoes going for about $350, as compared to $595 and up for a pair of Manolo Blahnik pumps. “If we’re talking about a few hundred bucks, those are hard-earned bucks and [the product] better be good,” noted Parker, whose family was on and off welfare when she was a child.
Designs range from a flat two-strap slide to a lace-up bootie, with plenty of strappy sandals in festive hues like mint and geranium. “I think color can be a neutral,” observed Parker, who was inspired by vintage Maud Frizon and Charles Jourdan.
Each pair is named after one of her style references (yes, there is a Carrie in the form of a t-strap) and features a blush grosgrain tab or trim in homage to the ribbons she tied in her hair as a girl.
This is not Parker’s first foray into retail. After “Sex and the City” ended, she introduced a short-lived budget clothing line for Steve & Barry’s called Bitten and briefly helmed Halston Heritage. She has five fragrances to her name and recently signed on as a “curator” for wetheadorned.com, a members-only jewelry e-boutique going live in the spring. And to underline her fashion cred, on May 5 she will co-host the Costume Institute gala.
As for shoes, Parker was approached many times over the years by marketers but held out for the right deal. Finally, she picked up the phone and called George Malkemus, president of Manolo Blahnik USA and her current business partner. His response? “Be in my office tomorrow morning.”
Let’s face it: SJP was a shoe-in.