Carel is a French shoe brand I discovered last year. I was immediately drawn to their vintage designs and Parisian look. The brand was founded in 1952, and ballerina flats, Mary Janes, and low-heel pumps quickly became some of their signature styles.
I collaborated with Carel and my friend Valentine to create these images featuring the white Carel Soraya heels. The French girl sandals feature a simple design with a rounded toe and ankle strap. The design was inspired by the film One Deadly Summer. The sandal has a 5-cm heel and it was handcrafted in the brand’s Spanish workshop.
We shot along the Seine river in central Paris on a sunny day in May. We also brought along a bag from the newly launched Carel handbag line and in these photos, I have the France handbag – aptly named! The bag is made of leather and was produced in partnership with Léon Flam.
All photos by Valentine Martin Duchêne