Making the wrong shoes look improbably right is Nina Christen’s specialty. In the past decade, the Swiss-born, Paris-based designer’s eye for off-kilter footwear has resulted in some of the most influential, cult shoe trends to ever trickle down from the high-fashion upper echelons. Christen made spatula-like sandals all the rage during Daniel Lee’s tenure at Bottega Veneta. She sent pumps embroidered with deflated balloons down Jonathan Anderson’s runway at Loewe. She issued hit after funky minimalist hit for Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen at the Row. In 2024, Christen launched her own luxury brand, named Christen, which now has its own store on the Rue de la Paix in Paris. The following year, Anderson hired her as design director of shoes at Christian Dior, where bows, polka dots, petals, and all things pretty have defined her vision. On the heels of adorning feet in blooms that felt plucked from a midsummer garden for the fall couture collection, Christen sits in Dress Code’s Haute Seat. —Jessica Iredale
FIRST IMPRESSION: Energy.
SCENT: Rose petals.
SUNGLASSES: Made in Japan only.
WEEKDAY OUTFIT: Christen Washed Straight Cut denim, black cashmere round neck, Prada leather jacket, and a Christen Helix Python mid-heel pump.
SCARF: Tibetan cashmere stole.