Theresa Ebagua, Jason Salstein, & Marina Larroude

Miami Beach, FL – August 13, 2015 – Miami trend-setters got their much needed fashion fix with Cecconi’s Fashion for Breakfast series. Moderator Jason Salstein of Capretto guided guests through an intimate conversation with British footwear designer, Theresa Ebagua of Chelsea Paris and Teen Vogue Fashion & Accessories Director, Marina Larroude.

Chelsea Paris is a young luxury footwear label launched in 2011. The brand strikes an elegant balance of feminine modernity and tradition. Heritage and quality are trademarks of the Chelsea Paris brand; the collections are designed by founder Theresa Ebagua in the London studio and expertly handcrafted using traditional methods in Italy. The Chelsea Paris story is inspired by African culture and the Deco era of the 1920s. The result is beautiful shoes that tread an effortless line between on trend desirability and timeless style. World Red Eye seized the opportunity to catch up with footwear maven Theresa Ebagua, who chatted with us about how she got her start, as well as her most memorable moments throughout her career.

Theresa Ebagua, Jason Salstein, & Marina Larroude

WRE: How did you get your start in the footwear industry? Did you always know you wanted to be a footwear designer?

TE: I had a successful career in Computer Science, and finally followed my longstanding passion for shoe design by attending Ars Sutoria in Milan several years ago.

WRE: How did you come up with the name Chelsea Paris?

TE: It is actually named for my two daughters, Chelsea and Paris.

WRE: Where do you draw inspiration from?

TE: Much of my inspiration comes from the Art Deco movement, the sights, colors and artifacts of my native Africa, as well as historical French fashion.

WRE: Describe the kind of person who is rocking your shoes?

TE: Someone who balances feminine modernity and tradition and who also has a bit of sex appeal, of course! Beyonce is a big fan which is amazing. Also Cameron Diaz, Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez and Lupita N’yongo have all worn my designs.

Theresa Ebagua, Jason Salstein, & Marina Larroude

Theresa Ebagua & Jason Salstein

Much of my inspiration comes from the Art Deco movement the sights, colors and artifacts of my native Africa, as well as historical French fashion.

Theresa Ebagua, Founder and Designer of Chelsea Paris

Jason Salstein & Theresa Ebagua

WRE: When you aren’t working, what can we find you doing?

TE: You can find me in an airplane – I am always traveling.

Theresa Ebagua, Jason Salstein, & Marina Larroude

Marina Larroude, Jason Salstein, & Theresa Ebagua

Marina Larroude & Jason Salstein

Theresa Ebagua & Jason Salstein

Theresa Ebagua, Jason Salstein, & Marina Larroude

Theresa Ebagua & Marina Larroude

Theresa Ebagua, Angeles Almuna, & Marina Larroude

Gabriela Ortega, Maria Elena Sanchez, & Angeles Almuna

Angeles Almuna

Kori Mizrahi, Emilie Sobel, & Ara Hossain

Amanda Tur & Jackie Roque

Iman Hasan & Lidia Pefaur

Rachel Johnson & Helena Chackman

Natasha Lucas

Ky Melton

Cristina Sosa, Angie Ferrer, & Soledad Lowe

Rossana Kruger, Lidia Pefaur, Theresa Ebagua, Marina Larroude, Jason Salstein, & Susana Egurrola

Marina Larroude

Theresa Ebagua & Marina Larroude

Theresa Ebagua

Erika Gill & Jhon Santos

George Dufournier, Rodolphe Nantas, & Daniela Moreno

Gigi Spadei, Jason Salstein, Lidia Pefaur, & Mica de la Cruz

Jhon Santos, Angeles Almuna, Olatz Zanguitu, Claudia Mendoza, Erika Gill, & Liza Echeverry

Rossana Kruger, Lidia Pefaur, Jason Salstein, & Susana Egurrola

Olga Medina, Paula Antonniazzi, & Gaby Pacini

Jenny Berger & Liza Echeverry

Michelle Areallano, Paula Antoniazzi, Jared Robins, Iman Hasan, & Lidia Pefaur