Kotur expands into shoe market in Hong Kong

New Yorker Fiona Kotur Marin has been a darling of the fashion scenes in Hong Kong and her hometown for several years. The bag designer's Sheung Wan showroom is a trove of beautiful box clutches, luminescent snakeskin, floral appliqués and delicate lace. Stylish employees type away at their computers and the walls are lined with pretty illustrations, all done by her illustrator and designer mother.

But what we are really here to see is the new range of footwear that is proudly displayed on the table. "We always say that we have little bags with great personalities and it's the same with the shoes," says Marin. "There is this fun whimsy about them, but they are also very chic."

Marin agrees that her first foray into footwear is "a big deal", but adds that it's something she has always dreamed of doing. The design philosophy for the shoes is the same as it is for the bags, namely that the shoes must have "a large personality but will complement the woman's own style".

Jewel-toned satin flats with pointed toes reference Moroccan slippers; pretty tassels hang off an exotic Turkish-inspired stiletto sandal and pastel-coloured snakeskin is colour-blocked on to a classic stiletto pump, minaudières and zipped rectangular pouch bags. One shoe is corsage-like, with a bloom of colourful 3-D flowers. Inspiration, in part, came from the lush gardens of Yves Saint Laurent's famous blue house in Morocco and adventurous journeys into souks in search of hidden gems.

"For this first spring 2014 range we were really inspired by the 'gypset' - the chic, exotic traveller - and everyone in our studio has wanderlust," says Marin. "We also have references to the past [with] the likes of Tabitha Getty and heiress Iris Atfeld [and] how they all travelled so elegantly."

From day-to-day flats and sophisticated work heels to fun, whimsical cocktail shoes, Marin has created an impressive first collection. This is the label's first big venture beyond small clutches and one wonders whether it will eventually go into other fashion sectors.