It was an honor to participate in this unique creative process with Katarzyna Lewińska and Tomasz Ossoliński and to design the shoes that became part of the world of "The Doll." This experience has led us further… Thank you!
We invite you to the "Chic and Conventions" exhibition at the Royal Łazienki Museum, where you can see costumes from the film "The Doll," along with shoes designed by Dominika Nowak. The exhibition runs until December 13 and is presented in three unique spaces: the Palace on the Isle, the Old Orangery, and the Myślewicki Palace.
The proposal to design shoes for the lead female roles in the latest film adaptation of "The Doll" came completely unexpectedly and was a dream come true for Dominika Nowak from years ago. Before she gained experience as a footwear designer working for the biggest names, before she founded her own brand... she wanted to be a costume designer. "The Doll" also holds a personal place in her family history. The designer's father worked on the first film adaptation of the novel, alongside Wojciech Has.
Working on the shoes for Maciej Kawalski's film meant aligning with the costume design vision of Katarzyna Lewińska and Tomasz Ossoliński. The period-style models had to harmonize with the overall attire, without losing artisanal precision and contemporary know-how. This process ultimately led to the creation of a capsule collection inspired by the film.
Vanda Novak x Lalka is an emanation of Dominika Nowak’s personal fascination with the world of film, craftsmanship, and this specific story. Eight models created for the limited capsule collection combine a contemporary approach to footwear design with a sentiment for the age of steam and electricity. The collection does not recreate the film models. It reaches for the spirit of fin de siècle and the image of femininity—subdued, hidden under layers of fabric—and translates it into today's language.
Lacing, both above the ankle and below the knee, is a direct reference to the corset, as well as to boots from the late 19th century and models designed specifically for film. Large spheres on the heels add bravado to these historicizing forms. Ballerina slippers, made of velvets embossed with floral patterns, are Dominika Nowak's personal take on the culture of fin-de-siècle balls and a nonchalance steeped in the vapors of luxury.
The pre-sale of the capsule collection starts on October 1st.
