Wore heels continually for all of fashion week? Check. Breaking in new shoes all day at work, and now your feet hurt? Check. The prescription used to be a few days wear of ballet flats, those soft, flexible slip ons that gave instant relief to aching feet, that is until now. French shoemaker, Repetto, has released an updated version of the jazz lace up shoe, incorporating the same flexibility, kid soft leather and the versatility of the classic ballet flat. The original jazz lace up was created by founder Rose Repetto for her daughter-in-law, ballet dancer Zizi Jeanmaire, but found its true iconic status in the ‘70s when Serge Gainsbourg — famous French Musician, lover of Bardot and Birkin, father to ‘It’ girl Charlotte —was introduced to them by his then girlfriend Jane Birkin. However, the ongoing celebrity love affair with the jazz shoe did not stop with Serge. Modern-day fashionistas like Kate Moss, Agyness Deyn and, of course, Charlotte Gainsbourg keep the cool cache of wearing them alive. p-1203’s modern take has funky, vivid colors, patent and kid leather options, but keeps the original concept in place with the same lace up design, flat heel and light as a feather feel. Should your aching feet desire to be ensconced in a pair of these shoes, they are available at Open Ceremony in NYC and Comme des Garcons in Paris.
