The first images of footwear guru Jimmy Choo's team-up with contemporary artist Rob Pruitt have been revealed, with the eagerly anticipated collection comprising shoes and bags adorned with the artist's trademark panda motifs.
A team-up between Jimmy Choo and Pruitt was first announced back in April, and the recently unveiled line showcases highlights such as the iconic Jimmy Choo Anouk pump reimagined with the artist's signature use of dégradé color in orange, pink, and yellow overlaid with French lace.
Pruitt, who is best known for his glittering panda bear paintings and large-scale dégradé canvases, created several original designs that were realized for the capsule collection -- which makes nods to his playful artistic themes. The artist created a unique duo of angel and devil pandas symbolizing the dual personalities of the Jimmy Choo woman, and these feature heavily in the line of 19 styles of shoes, bags and accessories.
"The panda is a recurring image seen throughout the body of my artwork. It's a symbol that reminds us both to tread lightly and to appreciate the adorable. They represent the harmony of yin and yang," said the artist.
"We are really excited by the collection as it reflects everything that captivated us about collaborating with Rob Pruitt: his energy, use of colour and the festive exuberance of his prints and materials," explained creative directors Sandra Choi and Simon Holloway.
Pruitt's line will be part of Choo's 2013 Cruise collection, with products set to hit Jimmy Choo boutiques and online this November.
The high-end shoe label has worked with contemporary artists and photographers including Nan Goldin, Marilyn Minter and Richard Phillips in the past.
Other luxury brands to have recently formed arty collaborations include Hermès and Christian Dior. Earlier this year the former announced a limited-edition scarf team-up with Japanese photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto, while Dior joined forces with German artist Anselm Reyle on a collection of accessories including handbags and shoes last December.
