She may have carried a Roger Vivier silver sequin Prisme clutch while walking the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival while premiering her “Robin Hood” film, but Cate Blanchett’s relationship with Bruno Frisoni goes far beyond a simple bag loan. The Oscar-winning actress collaborated on a pair of exquisite thigh-high boots with the genius designer–who designs for both his namesake line and that of Roger Vivier– that she wears for her role as Maid Marion in the Ridley Scott blockbuster. Couture Snob has a first look at the original sketch Frisoni created for Blanchett. “Janty, the brilliant costume designer who gave togas a new lease of life in Gladiator, wanted a pair of high boots as part of Marion’s costume and I suggested the equally brilliant Bruno Frisoni as his design sense is so iconic and modern,” said Blanchett. “I was over the moon when he said yes. I knew his design would be striking but what arrived surpassed my expectations, the boots where sleek, sexy and helped give Marion that contemporary edge that Janty and I were searching for. I didn’t want to take them off. I was slightly freaked out by the amount of mud that I had to wade through as I didn’t want to get these gorgeous boots dirty. I hope my girly anxiety added an edge to my performance!”
For his part, Frisoni said, “When Cate asked me to create her boots for the movie, I was so excited I started sketching while we were still on the phone. In my mind I could see not only the boots but Cate as Maid Marion herself! Cate is an incredible actress and person. I admire her modernity, which is fragile and strong at the same time. That’s how I picture her: a woman in men’s clothes. I wanted to create some boots that were both feminine and masculine. Sexy: seduction on a horse!”
Alas, for those interested in owning their own pair, a Roger Vivier spokeswoman said there are no plans to the shoes. But perhaps they will have a change of heart? After all, it took a Facebook page for Betty White to host “SNL.”