by Stephanie Lewis - shuzsociety.com
Any Red Carpet voyeur who’s paid an ounce of attention the last few years has spotted a Moo Roo bag clutched by an A-list celeb – Halle Berry, Sharon Stone, Oprah and Carrie Underwood to name a few. The luxurious evening minaudiéres (pronounced mee-noh-dyers), brainchild of Mary Norton, are finely crafted in sophisticated shapes, palettes and styles. Pictured above: Carrie Underwood with Reese handbag, Jennifer Lopez carries HRH handbag, Katherine Heigl with Sceptre bag at 2007 Emmys
In 1998 after a dream, Norton would design handbags. Naming her line Moo Roo, her daughter’s nicknames, each bag is meticulously styled and artfully adorned. Recently shoes were added to the mix under the name “Mary Norton.” Promising the same modern and wildly fun sensibility of her handbags, we had to see the shoes for ourselves. shuzsociety.com visited with Norton and her team at Vegas’ World Shoe Association.
Who She Is: Mary Norton’s smile lights up a room. Her showroom was the most sparkling and dazzling we’d visited. Shelves of shining shoes set with coordinating bags and jewels, we’re assured their permanent New York City showroom is even better! Just six years after the brands inception, it’s become an internationally acclaimed luxury brand with a HUGE celebrity and fashionista following.
How’d She Start? She’d left LA’s motion picture biz and moved to Charleston, SC not knowing a sole. Soon Norton gathered creative types and acquaintances and began her line at home. It was the same year she was given a life-altering diagnosis, but found strength to continue her dream. A friend took her bags to a few local boutiques in Charleston and within a few days EVERY bag had sold.
Inspiration: From $395-795 the fall 07 footwear collection is the first for Norton’s eponymous line, and the handbags’ first under the same name. We complimented her on the pending success of her shoe line and she replied, “I’m only as good as the people I’m lucky enough to work with.” Last year’s endorsement of Dawn Mello’s Atelier Fund afforded the brand access to amazing factories, “the best-of-the-best,” Norton explains. She was able to go to Italy and create exactly what she wanted. Admittedly, fall is “a broad launch collection, a bit of an experiment, to see what worked and why?”
What worked? The Blanche—a peep-toe sandal with bow and jeweled piece, with a rich Venetian theme, is so successful it’ll be updated and carried over. It was the “FAB FRIDAY” shoe Ms. Georgia peach Konick won on October 19th.
What’s Next? With specific inspirations the holiday collection will hit stores in mere moments! Norton was inspired by, “icy castles and crystal chandeliers in Charleston.” The “swinging movement” references of the collection will no doubt shimmer on the shelves of Vegas’ Bellagio and Wynn resorts.
Kudos? Currently carried by Saks Fifth Avenue, London’s Harrods, Nordstrom, Tootsies and an additional 300 luxury boutiques, Mary Norton is truly global. And, it doesn’t hurt that she and her creations have been seen on the pages of Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, Lucky, Elle, NY Times, People magazine, as well as Good Morning America.
Busy Year: If on historic King Street in Charleston visit the new Mary Norton boutique, or if on the West Coast visit the newly opened LA store. If you’re there on the right day, you may see Miss Mary herself. That is if she’s not returning from Italy, headed to London, trick-or-treating with her girls, or halfway to Texas. Something she looks forward to? She sighs, “Sitting still for a small while sounds great.”
Shop for yourself at MaryNorton.com.
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