London Fashion Week Designers Launch Shoes With Aldo Rise

Preen for Aldo Rise, available at Selfridges.com.

If you'd been wondering through London's Selfridges last night, you might have stumbled upon the launch of one of the most exciting high street and designer collaborations to date. Bringing the catwalk to the masses, US shoe brand Aldo has created affordable and covetable collections with not one, not two, but three London Fashion Week hot designers.

Up and coming fashion world favourite J.W.Anderson, knitwear maverick Mark Fast and Preen twosome, Justin Thornton and Thea Bragazzi, came together as the guests of honour yesterday evening, in Selfridges' French restaurant Aubaine to celebrate each of their capsule collections, which were only made possible by the shoe brand's Aldo Rise scheme. Helping emerging fashion brands produce their catwalk shows, the scheme not only helps with the show's promotion, but helps designers create their perfect shoes to go with their current collections; shoes which have today hit the famous Selfridge's Shoe Galleries in a one-month pop-up store of sartorial dreams.

Left to right: J.W.Anderson and Mark Fast for Aldo Rise

Irish designer J.W.Anderson was not only thrilled with his collection, but thinks collaborations like this are the future of fashion: "I have no issue with collaborations. They represent modernity. At this time of year and with the today's fashion market, they make so much sense" the designer told Vogue . "Collaborations help so much. Aldo offers incredibly quality for the high street - they helped me design shoes in a way I couldn't have done on my own, from production to marketing."

For those who want to get their hands on these one-off creations, the prices range between £125-£135, and they will be available at the pop-up store and at Selfridges.com only, for the next month. But if you can't move that fast, never fear, because Asos.com have snapped them up from February 22. Failing that, (for those who really can't get their acts together), they'll be hitting Aldo stores worldwide from March 8 onwards as well, so there's no excuse not to snap up this covetable slice of catwalk style.

(Daily Telegraph U.K.)

10 of the Newest Design Talents to Watch

Emilio de la Morena: Having trained as a sculptor in his native Spain before sharpening his fashion skills at Central St Martins in 2002, de la Morena's designs are inspired by structural shapes and traditional Spanish artisan techniques.Has an eye for: Fluid and feminine sculptural lines. Is inspired by: The relationship between organic shapes and defined silhouettes. Shop it: Online at Browns Focus.

Michael Lewis: Lewis is footwear's best kept secret and has impressed the likes of Marc Jacobs at Louis Vuitton, Christopher Bailey at Burberry and Tom Ford at Gucci with his shoe-shaped talents - before recently stepping into the role of creative consultant at Kurt Geiger. He brings his own label collection to LFW for the first time this season.Has an eye for: What women really want - fun yet luxurious, affordable shoes.Is inspired by: "Early Kenzo and Russian fairytales."Shop it: Exclusively at Dover Street Market for autumn/winter 2009

Michael van der Ham: The Dutch born designer's Warhol art-inspired dresses caught the attention of more than one fashion insider during his autumn/winter 2009 Central St Martins show - for which he also scooped the L'Oreal Professional Award. Prior to this, the young impresario honed his talents with stints at Alexander McQueen and Sophia Kokosalaki. Has an eye for: The eclectic - van der Ham's mismatch approach to design ensures there's never a dull moment.Is inspired by: Women who aren't afraid to be bold.Will be: Showcasing as part of NEWGEN's Ready-to-Wear exhibition at Somerset House.

Fred Butler: New kid on the block Fred began life as a set designer and prop maker before packing a style punch with her first jewellery collection of bold, bright and sculptural designs for autumn/winter 2009. Since then she has presented workshops at London's Design Museum, guest lectured at the London College of Fashion and collaborated with Asos.com on their limited edition ‘Hit' line.Has an eye for: Creating "wearable sculpture," by using graphic shapes, clashing colours and tactile forms.Is inspired by: The unpredictable in the everyday. Shop it: Online at Kabiri.co.uk this season.

Mark Fast: Since the success of the 28 year old Canadian's Central St Martins graduate collection in 2007 (which was quickly snapped up by Browns Focus) the young designer has gone from strength to strength. His autumn/winter 2009 show featured a bold collection of black knitted body-con dresses, embellished with fringing and dramatic cut-out panels.Has an eye for: Exquisite pieces that are contoured to the body.Is inspired by: Finding innovative ways with knitwear.Will be: Available from Browns Focus.

Eun Jeong: 2008's Fashion Fringe winner, Eun Jeong leapt on the scene with a collection made entirely from white cotton lace. The Korean designer has since been working hard to develop her own label ‘1st element by hong eun jeong'.Has an eye for: Neat pleats and effortless tailoring.Is inspired by: Uniqueness in others.Shop it: at Net-a-porter.com

Josh Goot: His sleek and monochromatic autumn/winter 2009 collection had London based Goot dubbed the new king of modernism, for his simple yet sophisticated use of black and white on shifts and neatly tailored suits.Has an eye for: Colour blocking and clean lines.Is inspired by: Human anatomy and abstract forms for spring/summer 2009.Shop it: At Liberty.co.uk

Mary Katrantzou: Since her fun graphic print collection for autumn/winter 2009, that featured dresses emblazoned with images of perfume bottles, we have not been able to shake the feeling that Katrantzou is going places. Having worked under fellow Greek, Sophia Kokosalaki and freelanced for Bill Blass, the young print designer also makes jewellery to complement her collections.Has an eye for: Digital prints and bold, industrial jewellery.Is inspired by: Antique perfume bottles and 18th century portraits for spring/summer 2010.Shop it: At Browns Focus and Harvey Nichols.

Maria Francesca Pepe: With style insiders dipping into Pepe's jewellery box for her hand-crafted Italian pieces to adorn their fashion pages - including Harper's Bazaar - it is little wonder the designer already has a loyal following. You might have seen her designs embellishing the shows of Roksanda Illincic (S/S09 and A/W09), Emilio De La Morena (A/W09) and Louise Grey (A/W09), for which she designed a shoe collection.Has an eye for: Chunky tubular necklaces made using old, handcrafted Italian techniques.Is inspired by: Pieces that appeal to all tastes and ages.Shop it: At Dover Street Market and the label's own online store that launches this December.Mfpepe.com

Veryta: Designer and Fashion illustrator Tanya Ling brings her talents to the role of Creative Director of not-for-profit label Veryta, which appears for the first time this season. Launched with the backing of Yves Saint Laurent's Stefano Pilati and Filippo Binaghi of Italian Silk manufacturer, Lorma, 10 percent of sales from the collection will go direct to children's charities in India.Is inspired by: Her native India.Veryta.com

(Harper Bazaar U.K.)