Jonathan Kelsey

By Julia Robson 

Everyone loves an upstart and Jonathan Kelsey is no exception. Having trained at Jimmy Choo and Gina his pedigree was never in doubt but who could have thought he could be a shoe star so soon.  In London, his metallic peep toes with conical heels sharpened to a point are on harveynichols.com\'s current ‘must-have\' list. He has just designed a shoe called the Amy for Ms. Winehouse, which makes him hotter than hot and his feisty take on glam rock and 1920s movies make him one to watch for the future.

To view some of Jonathan Kelsey\'s designs click here

Sergio Rossi - Edmundo Castillo

The quintessentially Italian accessories brand, Sergio Rossi, bounced back on the fashion radar the second Edmundo Castillo seized the reigns in 2006. In a season where shoes and booties are greatly inspired by the Dominatrix, and exotic skins are back in fashion, no wonder Sergio Rossi is currently rocking. We\'re loving the signature pale grey python stilettos - just how high are they? And, the tantalizing colour spectrum of glossy court shoes. No one does high-octane glamour like the Italians - and this was the brand that originally collaborated with Gianni Versace, remember.   

To view some of Edmundo Castillo\'s designs for Sergio Rossi click here

Pierre Hardy

One shoe designer to watch closely is Frenchman, Pierre Hardy, who most recently created ‘Transformer\' style extreme trainers for the Balenciaga autumn/winter 2007/8 catwalk. Hardy\'s artistic styles are pounced on by his loyal celebrity following including Nicole Richie, Cameron Diaz and Gwyneth Paltrow who wear his styles to pack a punch to outfits on the red carpet. Most famous for reviving the House of Dior\'s shoes in the late \'80s he\'s just been signed up by Gap to design a capsule range for spring 2008. We can hardly wait. Portrait by DAVID VASILJEVIC.

To view some of Pierre Hardy\'s designs click here

Christian Louboutin

Gold embroidery, shiny black satin, pointy toes and - most importantly - blood red soles are all trademarks of 39-year-old Christian Louboutin\'s seductive party shoes. Unmistakably French and oh so classy in a boudoir kind of way, Louboutin\'s army of fans, who range from royalty (Princess Caroline of Monaco) to rock (Victoria Beckham), would rather go barefoot than wear anything else. There\'s something about those red soles that brings out the snob in everyone.

To view some of Christian Louboutin\'s designs click here

Olivia Morris

The bumbling British shoe scene is still feeling the impact of contemporary designer, Olivia Morris, who blasted on to the scene blitzing away cobwebs 10 years ago. She\'s mellowed a little but her signature tattoo, punky piercings, quirky leatherwork and nude and metallic shades still dominate. She now collaborates with a number of hip designers from Matthew Williamson to Duro Olowu, has diffusion lines in Topshop and Faith and a Portobello shop. Strikes a chord with powerfully stylish women who dress from the feet up.

To view some of Olivia Morris\' designs click here

Brian Atwood

New boy on the shoe block, Brian Atwood, has lost no time since founding his shoe empire in 2001 in raking in awards and an impressive celebrity following. Mischa Barton and Reese Witherspoon are fans of his wickedly sexy stilettos, which Chicago-born Atwood claims are "dance-proof". Stonking patent platforms, which hold out a day in the office without making us howl, get our vote every time. No wonder this boy done good.

To view some of Brian Atwood\'s designs click here

Gil Carvalho