FRIENDLY FORCES: Collaborations between ready-to-wear and accessories designers offer the latter exposure on the New York Fashion Week runways each season. After working in the past with Kara Ross’ jewelry, Dennis Basso will partner with her on bags and totes made from bright leathers embellished with exotic abstract references — playing off his Cuba-influenced collection for spring 2016.
Ross was also eager to talk about a new nonprofit philanthropic initiative and jewelry line she will be unveiling later this year: “Diamonds Unleashed.” Basso was so in to the project that he suggested they incorporate it into his runway show as well. Ross, who had asked Stuart Weitzman to create shoes for the Diamonds Unleashed project, called upon the designer to partner with Basso on a strappy sandal onto which a signature gem-shaped gold shoe clip, adorned with a single diamond, could be attached and worn on Basso’s spring runway.
The shoes are expected to be available on stuartweitzman.com by mid-November and the company will donate a significant portion of sales to the charities associated with Diamonds Unleashed: Girls Who Code and She’s the First. Helping to generate awareness for her project, Ross will also host a lounge backstage at Basso’s show complete with branding tools such as fans, cookies and pillows featuring the signature gemstone logo in hopes of engaging the backstage crew to promote Diamonds Unleashed on social media.