Chelsea Paris Is Now Available At Neiman Marcus

Founded by Theresa Ebagua, a Nigerian-born, Los Angeles and London-based designer, the luxury shoe brand Chelsea Paris is now available at the world-class department store Neiman Marcus. 

Ebagua left a successful career in the tech industry to pursue her life-long dream of becoming a designer. She attended Ars Sutoria in Italy, where she learned the ins and outs of footwear design and production. The designer chose to name her brand after her daughters Chelsea and Paris when she realized there were very few Black female designers in the market. She wanted to encourage her daughters with her own success within the accessories business so that they could follow their own passions as well. 

Her footwear line juxtaposes art deco influences with sustainable materials, such as vegetable-tanned and metal-free leathers, which don’t produce harmful byproducts. Textiles used for the shoes are ecologically-produced in a factory that utilizes only organic and cruelty-free dyes and glues. Each pair of shoes is handmade by European artisans. 

I caught up with Theresa Ebagua to learn more about her shoe line and to ask how more Costume Designers, Buyers and Wardrobe Stylists can connect with her for possible collaboration. 

Hi Theresa! Congratulations on expanding your brand into Neiman Marcus retail stores. That's a major accomplishment! What does this accomplishment mean to you? How did you celebrate?

I am ecstatic to be in partnership with Neiman Marcus. It’s a great opportunity and exposure for the brand. Especially as a Black designer to be recognized by such a retailer, it’s an important validation. We have yet to celebrate because it has not fully sunk it. We are just living in the moment.

 I love that! What type of experience can we expect to have while shopping the Chelsea Paris brand in Neiman Marcus?

The type of experience you can receive while shopping Chelsea Paris in Neiman Marcus is luxury, well-crafted, and artisan styles inspired by my heritage through the uniqueness and originality of the designs and materials.

The FW20 colors, patterns and texture are impeccable. The Look Book says the "Hints of African elegance featured throughout the collection speak to (your) true identity and heritage." I see gold and snakeskin print...so many things that hint to African excellence. Which is your favorite shoe from the collection and why?

My favorite piece of the FW20 collection is Bo in the royal python snake print. Our interpretation of the print on this particular silhouette seamlessly encaptures two worlds of contrast. The print invokes African majesty, while the shoe structurally reflects the western world. Bo is a refined tableau of rich and regal history.

Ohhhh. Nice! How do you approach designing a shoe like the popular Kels sandal? What's its design story?

Design is an art form for me and it's a way to let my inhibitions down and let my creations flow freely from sketch pad to final product and concept to realization. I wanted the upper to be simple so I can showcase the retro-ness and geometry of the heel. Its design story is really about Deco geometry and realized through the Kels heel.

I noticed you're a former tech industry titan. What was your role in the tech? And what skills do you use from tech to create your shoe designs?

In tech, I was a program director. I was able to utilize the program management skills in my own business in showing that time tables by collection and sampling times. The organizational skills learned in corporate America are reflected in my work towards my business.

Chelsea Paris has been featured in W Mag, INSTYLE and on celebrities like Tinashe, Beyonce and more. How important is that type of exposure for Chelsea Paris?

It has been wonderful to see my shoes being represented by well-known and powerful women in the industry to help represent what Chelsea Paris is about. This type of exposure is important validation and well-roundedness of the Chelsea Paris brand.

Lastly, I'd love to see more Black designers like yourself featured in film and TV. What TV show would you like to see your shoes featured in? How can Costume Designers connect with you?

It would be great to have our shoes featured in several different films and tv shows. I would have killed for our shoes to be featured in Black Is King because I believe the way the costume designer used high fashion and couture pieces to reflect African artistry was genius. I would like to use my shoes to narrate to a refined tableau of a rich and regal history that is Africa. Costume designers can reach directly to us through email at studio@chelseaparis.com or our Instagram @Chelseaparisint for possible collaborations.