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Bruno Frisoni at NM Beverly Hills. Photo by Alex J. Berliner/ ABImages

Many of modern footwear’s most iconic designs trace their steps to the atelier of Roger Vivier, a French shoe designer credited with refining the stiletto heel, popularizing thigh-high boots and partnering with Yves St. Laurent for the iconic Pilgrim-buckle flats Catherine Deneuve wore in 1967’s “Belle de Jour.” The rich history of that design enterprise has been mined since 2003 when Tod’s owner Diego Della Valle relaunched the Roger Vivier brand and appointed Bruno Frisoni creative director of the Paris-based accessories company. A frequent visitor to Los Angeles, the elegant, intellectual Frenchman says he is often inspired by “the cool way of living” in Southern California. “Everyone is a star here, even the sun… The nearby desert, architecture, the great houses and interior/exterior way of living provide much inspiration, for colors, shape, everything.” Frisoni channels what he sees into reinventing the maison with modern accessories. The geometric and faceted Prismick collection has already become a house icon for the present day.

The iconic Pilgrim buckle. Photo by Alex J. Berliner/ ABImages

Prismick handbag

NMdaily: What is it like to step into the shoes of a well-known designer and his namesake company and bring it into another era?

Bruno Frisoni: Mr. Vivier was the great master of shoes, who seduced the great names like Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent, as well as celebrities like Marlene Dietrich, Brigitte Bardot, Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Soraya, The Queen of England for her coronation in 1953. Having said this, when we started working on the relaunch and strategy of the brand, we knew from the very beginning that one thing we really wanted was to respect the name of Roger Vivier and company, but also transform the brand into a luxury maison of accessories. And I can say today that we have achieved the goal.