Tom Gunn: Summer 2008.
Gabrielle Thompson and Shannon Gunn, two Brisbane girls who both studied fine footwear design in Italy, are now proudly launching their exquisite Tom Gunn python and leather ladies shoe collection for Summer 2008. For me, and all those girls with a shoe fetish, these hand crafted shoes are heaven on your feet and so good looking.
Q: Catchy name Tom Gunn, where did this come from? A: It comes from a mixture of our last names.
Q: Who is the Tom Gunn customer? A: The Tom Gunn customer is passionate about shoes and original design and loves a little bit of luxury for her feet.
We're interested in making shoes that are like little works of art for women's feet.Q: Did you plan to be shoe designers? A: Gaby: I've always loved fashion and drawing. My notebooks were always covered in fashion sketches! After studying fashion I moved to Ireland and worked for the Irish fashion label, Quin & Donnelly. When I came home, I decided I wanted to get into footwear design.
Shannon: I studied fashion as a way to get into footwear design. When we had our career guidance councilor meetings in high school to get some direction for what we wanted to do, I told her that I wanted to be a shoe designer. That's how I ended up at TAFE, and from there in Milan studying footwear.
Q: Where did you study the art of shoe design? A: We both studied at Ars Arpel footwear school in Milan, Italy which is a three month intensive footwear course covering design, pattern making and construction.
Shannon: I was given the opportunity to study at Ars Arpel in 2003 after winning the Italian Scholarship through TAFE. Italy was fantastic - there's such a huge design industry there. The course was very intensive and I learnt so much.
Gabrielle: I studied there in 2005 and had a fantastic experience learning the ins and outs of footwear. It was also amazing to be able to visit factories that created shoes for Chanel and Prada.
We share a similar aesthetic of clean, modern and simple design pared with beautiful materials.
Q: Python is a world trend in up-market accessories. Is it an expensive material and how difficult is it to work with and maintain? A: It is a very expensive material but it's quite sturdy, and easy enough to look after. The best way is to keep it clean and dry, wiping it over with a cloth. Beeswax can be used to lightly condition and moisturize.
Q: Is fashion for the actual season very important to you when you're designing the shoe shapes, textures and colours for the new season? A: We do look at fashion for the season, but what is most important to us is original design. We're interested in making shoes that are like little works of art for women's feet. We share a similar aesthetic of clean, modern and simple design pared with beautiful materials, and so while we will look at what is happening within trends we don't think Tom Gunn will ever be dictated by this.
Q: What is you best selling shoe? A: Cerise in Black Python was our best selling shoe from Summer 2008. It's a high heel - 9cm - on a small platform.
Q: How many Australian stores stock Tom Gunn? A: We have two Australian stockists. We'll also be selling through the Tom Gunn website from mid-September.
Q: What is the price range for these beautiful shoes? A: Our footwear is made in Italy out of the finest materials so they are beautiful to wear. Our Summer 2008 range retails between $500 and $700.
Q: Where can ourbrisbane.com readers try on and buy your shoes? A: The best thing to do is contact us on info [at] tomgunn [dot] com [dot] au or visit the website at www.tomgunn.com.au.
If you love shoes, read our story about other Brisbane made and designed shoe labels.
