Lifestyle

Meet Bandana Girl, Instagram’s latest shoe sensation



As a city of style gazers, we owe Instagram many things. And not just Christopher Shannon’s Instagram account — a profile packed with more laughs than a Brexit strategy meeting.

Undoubtedly, the social media juggernaut has delivered gifts to our wardrobes too. The latest of these is the bandana-style kitten heel, a shoe that’s certain to raise a smile. At least, it’s certain to put a much longed-for spring in your step. With distraction tactics in mind, what could be better than that? 

Crafted from velvet and leather with satin trims — or “accents” as they’re described by their Italian creators — the Bandana Girl is the creation of Florence designer Barbara Borghini, whose label Gia Couture has been quietly building up a following online. 

A collaboration with boutique London retailer Alex Eagle —a former fashion editor who has been growing a globally renowned luxury business of her own from her Soho studio — has helped to stamp Borghini’s shoes on London pavements this spring. That Instagram’s most dedicated — among them Scandi Pernille Teisbaek who enjoys 637k followers, and London’s own Caroline Issa, whose digital fans amount to a cool 197k — have been quick to give Gia Couture their blessing, has only helped matters further.

Bandana pumps, £330, Gia Couture x Alex Eagle (alexeagle.co.uk) (Alex Eagle)

With influencing, and its positioning as a new media that’s more valuable to brands than advertising, among the hot topics right now, the rise of niche labels such as Gia Couture is striking.

Certainly, without a broad, widely accessible digital platform such as  Instagram upon which to shout about its identity, brands like Borghini’s would take far longer to reach us. And undoubtedly, just as long to appear under the inquisitive gaze of department store buyers who now use the tech platform as a valuable research tool.

Bandana Girl white leather mules, £300 (Gia Couture )

The high street also looks at Instagram with a curious gaze. A fact that’s confirmed by the number of Bandana Girl-inspired styles hitting the shelves. Asos has a host of bow-detail loafers and with its sights set on ubiquity; it’s about standing out from the crowd — it’s a shoe show off, if you will.

It’s little wonder they’re a hit online. 





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