Like most teenagers, Fresh Faces in Fashion LA designerJerome C. Rousseau was inspired by art, music and pop culture while growing up in Quebec. Drawn to the retro style and feel-good '90s meets '70s vibe of dance groups like Dee-Lite, it's no surprise that young Jerome grew up to design a shoe line that would be right at home on dancefloors of either decade.

After studying at London's Cordwainers College (Jimmy Choo's alma mater) and spending 10 years apprenticing with designers such as Isabella Fiore and Matthew Williamson and French fashion forecasters Promostyl, Rousseau started his own line based on principles of Modern art, European design and nightlife. "I initially think in terms of shape, silhouette and structure when I design. It's later on that I bring fashion into the equation," Rousseau has said of his color blocked pumps and racy retro-inspired boots. For now, the line is based in Los Angeles, but Rousseau sees the line as larger than La La: "The collection finds its inspiration in too many different elements to be defined as LA."

It is true—the Fall 2008 collection is inspired by the work of Russian abstract artist Kasimir Malevich and each shoe is produced by artisans in Tuscany. Using patent and rayon mixed with suedes and crocs, Rousseau's shoes are rich and artful with the flare of a well-traveled club-kid. Our prediction: there's going to be some murder on the dancefloor over these artful stilettos.

Jerome C. Rousseau's collection for Fall 2008 is available at Wilkes Bashford.

- Kristen Amato

Similar Topics:debut collection, fall 2008, fashion, footwear, Fresh Faces 2008

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