Raphael Young was first inspired to design shoes at the tender age of 14 after attending his first haute couture show. Trained under his uncle Alexandre Narcy, who was the head of Yves Saint Laurent’s shoe studio for 40 years, he even received some key advice from Mr. Laurent himself: “keep it simple.” He went on to work at various design houses in Italy before starting his own line.

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Move over Christian Louboutin, there’s a new shoe designer on the scene, and his third collection for Spring 2009 has completely stolen my heart! Welcome, one and all, to the architectural and geometric shoe and bag designs of Seoul native, Raphael Young. With haute couture in his blood, Young prides himself on the quality of his shoes, over mass quantity manufacturing. Thanks to cobbling instruction from an uncle who spent his days designing shoes for Yves Saint Laurent, Young’s skill in women’s footwear has evolved to men’s footwear and even bags. Raphael Young is available in Los Angeles and in New York at Eva and Seven! 

GALLERIES:

DESIGNER TO KNOW: Raphael Young Spring 2009 Women’s Collection

DESIGNER TO KNOW: Raphael Young Spring 2009 Men’s Collection 

DESIGNER TO KNOW: Raphael Young Spring 2009 Bags 

Check out Raphael Young’s website here!