By jim on July 7, 2010 9:00 am

The big news from Roger Vivier this week, in the midst of the Paris Haute Couture shows, is the new direction the luxe French brand is taking its couture collection of bags and shoes. Introducing Rendez-Vous, a new limited edition concept whose goal is to bridge the gap between what was the couture line and the brand’s solid main line. According to creative director Bruno Frisoni, it’s a fresher, more contemporary direction for the house that, at the same time, emphasizes the atelier’s craftsmanship. Take, for example, the delicate horn sequin Miss Viv bag–just one bag of many that resonate this new idea. Gluing a leaf of teak to leather, for instance, creates a new material for the tube clutch. The iconic Vivier Virgule shoe adopts new wavy lines, meanwhile, and is nicknamed the New Wave. For the summery straw version shown here, Frisoni utilized a local hat maker to utilize straw hat making skills whereby ribbons of straw are stitched to create grooves. Plain double organza served as the canvas for a pretty blush hand-painted finish on another heel inspired by German artist Gotthard Graubner. The Rendez-Vous collection will tour a number of Roger Vivier stores worldwide starting January 2011.