“Mule” Be Back — Cynthia Rowley Debuts New Footwear Collabo With Chelsea Paris During NYFW SS15

If you happened to attend or see photos of the Cynthia Rowley Spring 2015 show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City, your gaze may have lingered on the models’ feet, which were clad in the grooviest of mules. Rowley’s Spring 2015 collection was heavily influenced by the Swinging Sixties, incorporating tons of trapeze dresses, hip-length  tunics, flared pants, and A-line skirts in graphic prints and splashy florals. It only seemed fitting, then, that her playful and party-ready garments were complemented by funky footwear — which is why the celebrated New York fashion designer teamed up with Theresa Ebagua, the designer behind footwear brand Chelsea Paris. Together, they create a reinvented and Rowley-ized version of the Chelsea Paris “Yuwa” mule (currently available in black suede), which will hit stores in the spring.

The Chelsea Paris x Cynthia Rowley Yuwa mule retains the slip-on shape, 3.75″ chunky heel, and peep toe opening of the original sYuwa tyle, but adds leather laces that can be crisscrossed around the ankle and calf, creating a stronger statement. More importantly, this version harnesses the retro vibe of Rowley’s Spring 2015 collection via the two abstract floral appliqués along the side panels, which are layered atop each other to create a striking contrast in both colors and textures. The juxtaposition of different materials like suede, croc, and watersnake highlights the elegance and forward-thinking design philosophy of the Chelsea Paris brand, thereby ensuring that, despite  its retro motifs, this shoe remain grounded in modern times, cheekily referencing a bygone era without interpreting it in too literal a manner.

The mule is available in two colorways: one a deep oxblood shade with maroon suede and carnation pink appliqués and the other a black hue with white and powder blue appliqués. The original Chelsea Paris Yuwa mule retails for $495 at Barneys.com, so we can expect a similar price tag for this remixed version — maybe slightly higher given the limited-edition nature of the release and the collaborative nature of the design process.

What do you think of the shoes? And are you happy about mules making a strong comeback?