Two of Chamandi’s designs that feature the patented ‘Eye of the Needle’ heel
“It took 18 months to develop, as the heel of a shoe is like the main pillar of a building,” she says. “So to have an eye within it required a lot of technical prowess.”
Now, the signature detail appears on every Jennifer Chamandi piece, from skyscraper heels and flats, to boots and handbags.
Of course, as with all things in Chamandi’s world, the shape of the ‘eye’ is carefully considered. “Nothing is random in my brand,” she smiles.
“Eight is my lucky number: Jennifer has eight letters, so does Chamandi, and I’m born on the eighth of May. If you put two of my eye designs together, it makes an infinity symbol – which is an inverted eight.”
It is fitting that The Apartment should open eight years after Chamandi first launched her brand – and the eye of the needle design and the number eight appear all over the space, which she created with the help of interior designer Agata Wejchert. “She’s a creative genius,” says Chamandi. “She truly brought my vision to life.”
Decked out in shades of black, white and grey, with artwork and furnishings by the likes of Louise Roe, Zaha Hadid and Kelly Wearstler, The Apartment is every inch the slick shopping haven you’d expect of a Mayfair atelier.
There’s a large, eye of the needle shape inlaid in stone in the wooden floor, with the design also echoed in the handles of the cabinets and in the details on the curtain ties – plus, there’s an infinity-shaped light hanging above the enormous, marble table. “Wherever there’s a frame, there’s eight centimetres between that and the moulding of the wall,” says Chamandi, excitedly.
At the very back of The Apartment is a smaller room, which Chamandi calls “the shoe box” – painted bubblegum pink with a mirrored ceiling, it’s filled with all of her designs in serried rows, and “is like the chic version of a little girl’s dream”.
Here, Chamandi shows off her new collection, which includes a studded loafer and pair of boots which can be folded over to exactly the right height. “My favourite is the Mattia,” she says, picking up a cherry-red, mid-height style.
“It’s great with a boxy blazer and jeans. You know, I never thought I’d wear a block heel,” she muses, grinning. “To be honest, I’m really a stiletto girl at heart.”
