Mark Schwartz began his career in New York City in the early 1980's where he was hand picked by legendary French shoe designer Roger Vivier to assist him in shoe design. Vivier was so impressed with Mark's ability to design and sketch that he called his friend Andy Warhol to visit Schwartz one day and soon Warhol took to Schwartz's whimsical approach to shoes and for the last 3 years of his life he tutored Schwartz and mentored him , both Schwartz and Warhol painted shoes on a monthly basis exchanging ideas which eventually became the style that you see today in Mark's work. After Warhol's death Schwartz went on to live and work in Paris and Milan , designing for such houses as Chanel, Lacroix, Hermes, Balenciaga, Gucci and Prada to name a few.
Upon his return to New York ( 1995 ) Schwartz opened his own boutique debuting his own shoe line Mark Schwartz in the SOHO district of NYC. Schwartz then displayed the paintings he did with Warhol on the walls of his shop and found out that they soon started to sell as well if not more than his physical shoes . ( Thank you Andy! ) Schwartz has gone on to define the shoe as an art form ( High Heeled Art- Artistic Renderings of Shoes )
I think I will have to give the visionary a visit to bring you more on this incredible art form.
Well if you cant fit any more in your closet, lets hang them on the wall. I like it. Where can I see more of this ?
ReplyDeleteHello Nancy! Oh first thank you Mr. Hamilton for the wonderful feature! We appreciate you, your time & interest in sharing Mark's story. Now Nancy you can find us at: https://www.facebook.com/ShoePortraits or http://yourshoesinportrait-markschwartz.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing an offering we have for all Fa-shoe-nista's!
very soon, I am going to his boutique this week to interview him...stay tuned, thanks Nancy.♥
ReplyDeleteThis is a marvelous piece. I also am a big fan of Mark's paintings. Can't wait to read more, Mr. Hamilton! :D
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