Nine West Unveils Sophia Kokosalaki Collection

"Nervous is my middle name," said designer Sophia Kokosalaki moments before taking to the stage for a Q&A session to introduce her new Nine West by Sophia Kokosalaki accessories collection at Macy's Herald Square in New York on Wednesday, November 1st.

Kokosalaki's limited edition collection follows hot on the heels of similar Nine West collaborations with Vivienne Westwood and Thakoon Panichgul, and the Greek-born couturier, who also helms her own eponymous line and is the newly-appointed creative director of the French fashion house Vionnet, was making her first ever in-store appearance to celebrate the occasion, and she confessed to having the jitters.

"It's a market I'm not really familiar with, the US market, and it was very flattering to be asked to design a collection alongside someone like Vivienne Westwood, to be honest," said Kokosalaki of her decision to partner with Nine West. "So I was able to take baby steps into this market. And I was also curious to see how a big company like Nine West works."

And how does a big company like Nine West work?

"They work very fast!" she replied with a laugh. "And they really paid attention to detail. They were eager to get it right, especially the people who were making the shoes; they wanted to know did I want the tassel cut, horizontally or on the diagonal, for instance. And I like working with people like that because I also have a passion to make nice products."

Nine West by Sophia Kokosalaki includes items such as a sweet black ballet flat with silver chain bow trim, a roomy black leather handbag with tons of pockets and a silver toggle closure and a sleek military style black wool trench with graphic leather piping, all of which are available at select Macy's and Nine West stores nationwide through November 30th, or until supplies last.

The curvy blond couturier made her way down to the shoe department on the store's second floor, which had been outfitted with a black backdrop in front of which stood two director's chairs - one for the designer and one for her interlocutor, Vogue's special events coordinator, Anne Vincent - and three models sporting Kokosalaki's accessories. A crowd of curious onlookers gathered to watch as Vincent interviewed the slyly humorous designer about her creative inspiration, her experience designing the costumes for the Opening Ceremony of the 2004 Olympics in Athens and, of course, her Nine West collaboration.

Kokosalaki answered every question graciously, but demurred when pressed to name her favorite piece from the Nine West line.

"Oh, I can't [choose]," she said with a shy smile. "They're like my children."

Source: news.yahoo.com