Living Ind

Foot Fetish

A hard-to-find line of footwear makes its way into Lafayette's retail market. By Hope Rurik

It has been more than a year since Breaux Bridge native Cherise Angelle dazzled and tantalized Lafayette women with her luxury shoe line, Omelle. Since the River Ranch shop kiki hosted Angelle's trunk show in May 2009, those craving Omelle's unique marriage of sophistication and funk have had to do their shopping in New Orleans or Baton Rouge.

November 3, 2010

A hard-to-find line of footwear makes its way into Lafayette's retail market. By Hope Rurik

Photo by Robin May

It has been more than a year since Breaux Bridge native Cherise Angelle dazzled and tantalized Lafayette women with her luxury shoe line, Omelle. Since the River Ranch shop kiki hosted Angelle's trunk show in May 2009, those craving Omelle's unique marriage of sophistication and funk have had to do their shopping in New Orleans or Baton Rouge.

Now, the booties and pumps that make up the 2010 fall collection are available at Coco Eros on Kaliste Saloom Road.

Coco Eros owner Jill Freman contacted Angelle last year and became the only Acadiana retailer to carry the line in January.

"I had two pairs of my own before I opened the store," says Freman. "I got in touch with [Angelle], and she jumped on board real quick. We've had a good response. Everyone loves them."

Since launching in 2008, the luxury line, which sells internationally and runs from about $325 to almost $900 a pair, has maintained stable profits. That's not to say the nation's economic state hasn't affected the company.

"It's definitely had an impact," says Angelle. "Retailers are buying using last year's profit. But our product is unique so we've been able to be stable." At the time of her trunk show last year, Angelle was looking forward to adding a handbag collection to the line, but she says it is on hold until retail starts to pick up. Instead, Angelle and her partner Nicole Lafave are focused on building relationships with retailers and customers.

"The best way to market right now is to focus on customer service, listening to what they want and producing based on that," Angelle says. "We're not just Omelle the brand. They know us, the people."

Listening to customers encouraged Angelle and Lafave to shift the direction of their company.

"In talking with our customers and clients, we've had a lot of feedback and interest from younger women who may not be in a position to pay $400 for shoes," says Angelle. So they decided to expand into new materials and manufacturing locations to bring down the price point and broaden their customer base.

But fashionistas need not fear losing those beloved boots and shoes made of felted cashmere, python, fish skin or leather - as Angelle promises those luxury materials will never be replaced.

Cherise Angelle will be at Coco Eros on Thursday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. for a special event featuring the full Omelle line, champagne and cupcakes.