Jerome C. Rousseau Talks Chic

SaksPOV spends time with the emerging designer

By Erica Johasky, Photographed by KSW

How do we love Jerome C. Rousseau? Let us count the ways!

This hot young Canadian designer doesn’t simply design shoes; he creates confections for the feet. With pink glitter pumps, leopard slides and gold-coated platforms as some of his most iconic styles,  it’s no wonder Rousseau has found a cult following of collectors including Hollywood heavy-hitters such as Charlize Theron, Cameron Diaz, Katie Holmes, Kristen Stewart and Scarlett Johansson. He even encloses a handwritten note into every one of his shoe boxes. SaksPOV’s Erica Johasky got to sit down with Rousseau, who made a pit stop at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York recently to present his newest collection to talk stilettos, silhouettes and Sunday activities. 

SaksPOV: Do you have a favorite shoe?
Jerome C. Rousseau: I do, actually. It’s from the fall 2012 collection, Kier. The silver iridescent makes it sparkly like a jewel.

SaksPOV: Where do you seek inspiration?
JR: I’m inspired by many things, art, music, night life, nature.  Things I’ve fallen in love with in the last six months inspire me.  For the Kier, I played with volume. Mary Rozzi self published a book, Couture, of her backstage shots. I loved the effortless elegance. There is volume in the pictures, the dresses, the hair; it gives you the larger than life feeling.

SaksPOV: When designing a shoe, what is the most important design element?
JR: The Silhouette. When you design a shoe, you want it to be two things: feminine and elegant. The cut and silhouette – how can you elongate the leg? That’s the most important part for me.

SaksPOV: So many beautiful options! How does a girl choose which shoes to buy?JR: If you can wear a high heel, you want it to be feminine and elegant. You need to find the correct platform and height. If you can’t wear the shoe, the shoe won’t wear you. When you choose the shoe, you should choose one you can wear beautifully.

SaksPOV: How do you spend your Sundays?
JR: I work, typically. When you run a small business, there is very little free time. When I do have free time, my favorite things are to go to live concerts, listening to records, hanging out with friends — just catching up with the people I love.

For more on Jerome C. Rousseau, check out SaksPOV!