Neapolitan Background

Nicholas Kirkwood

Nicholas Kirkwood

British Designer Nicholas Kirkwood, 34 years old, launched his eponymous collection in spring 2005 to challenge the conventions of woman’s luxury footwear. To date, Kirkwood has gained much critical acclaim for his collection of architecturally inspired pieces with a blend of genres subverting the relationship between tradition and modernity.

Craftsmanship plays an integral role in all of Kirkwood’s collections. His creations focus on the innovation of curvilinear forms. Sharp and considered, Kirkwood’s designs feature unexpected fabrications and techniques with intricate detailing. He himself says, “I design for a sophisticated woman with an implicit understanding of luxury and has a strong defined vision of herself and her personal style.”

An alumnus of prestigious design schools Central Saint Martins and Cordwainers College, Kirkwood was first recognised for his vision when awarded the Conde Nast Footwear News Vivan Infantino award in 2006 for emerging talent. To date, Kirkwood has been granted British Fashion Award for Best Accessory Designer of the Year three times; Footwear News Designer of the Year twice; earned Elle’s Accessory Designer of the Year twice and has been the recipient of the AltaRoma/Vogue Italia award for accessories design. In 2013, Kirkwood received the British Vogue Fashion Fund. This achievement followed a successful year where Kirkwood launched his first stand-alone mens collection for AW13, presenting at London Collections: Men in January 2012.

Beyond his eponymous label, Kirkwood has worked alongside established and emerging Ready-to-Wear designers to create show shoes for their runway shows including Erdem, Roksanda, Peter Pilotto, Suno, Rodarte and Fendi.

In May 2011, Kirkwood opened his first flagship boutique on Mount Street in London and the following year opened his first New York based store in the city’s meat packing district. His second US based store opened in May 2013 in Wynn Las Vegas & Encore, which was swiftly followed by the launch of his e-commerce site nicholaskirkwood.com where a full range is available including a bespoke service.

In September 2013, Nicholas Kirkwood announced his partnership with fashion conglomerate LVMH Group in a move championed by Delphine Arnault and Pierre-Yves Roussel. With a shared value in design and innovation, Kirkwood continues the international expansion of his brand and development of his creative vision. As part of the brands wider strategy for international stores, Kirkwood has also launched pop-ups in Printemps, Bal Harbour, Isetan and most recently Galleries Layfette.

The Nicholas Kirkwood collection can be found in stores in over 34 countries throughout the world including Selfridges, Harvey Nichols London, Browns, Liberty, Harrods Shoe Boudoir, Bergdorf Goodman (New York), Jeffrey New York, Maxfield (LA), Le Bon Marché (Paris), Maria Luisa (Paris), L’Eclaireur (Paris), 10 Corso Como (Milan), Tsum (Moscow), On Pedder (Hong Kong and other regional locations), and Joyce (Hong Kong), amongst others.