From The Straits Times    |

Singapore’s top international fashion label Raoul will be working with emerging shoe and accessory designer Raphael Young on a collection of bags and shoes for its Pre-Fall 2014 collection.

Raphael Young’s creations for his eponymous label have been seen on superstar fashionistas like Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Rihanna. “My universe is rock and glamour, dark and architectural. It’s what I am and what my style must be,” says Raphael about his work.

Raoul to work with shoe  accessory designer to the stars Raphael Young DECOR RAPHAELUp-and-coming shoe and accessory designer Raphael Young is working with Singapore fashion label Raoul on its Pre-Fall 2014 shoes and bags. Image: Running With Heels

Born in South Korea, Raphael was adopted and raised in Romans, the birthplace of French luxury shoe making; his uncle is bootmaker Alexandre Narcy who worked with Yves Saint Laurent in the 1960s. Raphael created his first pair of shoes when he was 14-years-old, and continues to create his label’s collection prototypes by hand, he also studied engineering and combines this knowledge with the traditional skills of a cobbler.

“I can understand the importance of physics and mechanics, as well as art and sculpture. We all work with the same fundamental materials and when you break it down it is all about balance, volume, density and lines of force,” says Raphael.

Raphael worked for Manish Arora, Elie Saab, Louise Goldin and Hannah Marshall, before establishing his own label in 2008 in Paris. His shoes are not only worn by Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Rihanna, but also Sarah  Jessica  Parker,  Halle  Berry and  Monica  Bellucci are also fans.

Raoul to work with shoe  accessory designer to the stars Raphael Young fall-2010-shoes-4Raoul to work with shoe  accessory designer to the stars Raphael Young Raphael-Young-Fall-2010-Shoes
Examples of Raphael Young shoes from his Fall 2010 collection

Before moving to New York in 2011 to head the shoes and accessories design team at Calvin Klein Collection, Raphael launched his revolutionary R-Flex, flexible stiletto shoes, that are are said to be as comfortable as wearing ballet flats.

Raphael says he was drawn to working with Raoul particularly because of its heritage and position as an Asian fashion label. “I look forward to working with Odile and the rest of the Raoul team. Raoul exemplifies the coming of age of the Asian fashion brand. They are confident, forward-looking and totally appreciative of craftsmanship,” he says.

For FJ Benjamin, the owner of Raoul, the collaboration is part of the brand’s efforts to improve the overall quality of its accessories and shoes for the Raoul customer. “Our decision to sign up Raphael shows our commitment to invest in this business and to offer our customers the ideal choice of accessories to complete the Raoul look or to create individual styles as desired,” explains Raoul co-creative director Douglas Benjamin, who is also the chief operating officer of FJ Benjamin Group.

So, Singapore fashionistas, stay tuned for the Raoul Pre-Fall 2014 collection; the shoes and bags are certain to be lust-worthy, must-have buys.

For a complete list of Raoul boutiques, go to www.raoul.com/store_locator and to shop Raoul online, go to www.raoul.com. You can follow the brand on Facebook at www.facebook.com/raoulfashion on Twitter at @RAOULFASHION; on Instagram at @raoulfashion and on Pinterest at pinterest.com/raoulfashion. For more information about Raphael Young, go to www.raphaelyoung.com. You can follow Raphael Young on Facebook at www.facebook.com/raphaelyoungparis; on Instagram at @raphaelyoung and on Twitter at @raphaelyoung.