CAT
Singer/songwriter Shontelle is branching out! The talented songstress is showcasing her design skills with her new CAT x SHONTELLE footwear collection, which debuted during New York Fashion Week. Joonbug had the opportunity to chat with the gal of many trades about the inspiration behind the collection, her plans for the future, and more.
What made you want to get into fashion? And more specifically, footwear?
I guess the default answer is because CAT Footwear makes just that. SHOES! And beautiful BOOTS! I actually wore CATs throughout most of my school life. Not only because they were perfect with my school uniforms but they lasted forever (I only replaced them when I outgrew a size) and they were waterproof. So of course my parents loved that! In Barbados, if the bottom of your school shoes didn’t flash yellow, you weren’t cool. So thanks to CAT I’ve always been a “cool kid." Always been an Earth Mover! My grandmother was also obsessed with shoes and apparently, according to my family, she passed that on to me. They feel as though this line is Ms. Delia, living through me...
How did you come up with the name for your collection?
The collection itself doesn't yet have a name because the project just started out as a one time collaboration. So for now it's called the CAT x SHONTELLE collection. Or simply CATs by Shontelle. But it felt so fun and so right that CAT Footwear decided to continue the collection for another season. Hopefully we can keep this going for a long time and eventually develop a full SHONTELLE line with its own established department and name. However, the names of the boots were all inspired by and derived from places in Barbados that were special or significant to my childhood. "Bridegtown" - The capital city of Barbados and also where I was born and first lived; "Bajan" - self explanitory; "Xtreme" - The name of my favorite night club where I most frequented. Unfortunately its now closed; "Sandy Lane" - My favorite Beach/Club Resort in Barbados.
The month of June is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month. Since the month is coming to a close, it's time to get on it! If you've been looking for a pet and don't want to shell out the big bucks for a high-class breed, the best way to get your kitty is adopting one. There are plenty of animal shelters all over the country and there are plenty of cats that want you as their mommas or poppas. The best way to give back to your favorite furry four-legged lovers is by taking one home with you. Check out the shelters below to find a cat near you! (If you're not ready to take on the responsibility of a new pet, feel free to donate to their cause!)
It looks like change is in store for Thanksgiving Day 2009. For example, New York City has been celebrating Thanksgiving with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade since in 1924. Tomorrow, for the first time since the parade's inception, it is changing its route and heading down 7th Avenue instead of Broadway. Also, tomorrow I'm having my first "orphan" Thanksgiving with friends instead of the traditional family get-together. And though I know I'll miss sitting at the table lit by my father's porcelain giraffe candlesticks, eating a lot of rasperry Jello and drinking rosé, I'm pretty pumped about all the changes this year has brought. This Thanksgiving, don't forget to tell your friends and family (near and far) that you love them. And whatever it is you've got planned for turkey day '09, we hope it's awesome.
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