Gianmarco Lorenzi A/W 2010

There is nothing this young journalist likes better than spending the afternoon in the company of beautiful shoes, so when I was invited to the launch of Gianmarco Lorenzi’s autumn/winter 2010 collection at Home House I was delighted.

The label has long been the Italian shoe of choice for some of my favourite divas including Rihanna and Beyoncé, who wore custom-made versions on her latest tour. However, since last year’s opening of the first stand-alone British store on South Molton Street, Gianmarco Lorenzi has become hot knowledge amongst London’s discerning shoe lovers.

Stand out features of the latest collection include studded embellishments of crystal and gold and lashings of suede which surely means the velvet trend is going to be even bigger next year. My favourite pair was a crystal-encrusted, multi-colour platform that surely Beyoncé must already own.

The eclectic collection was pulled together by a single trend, the pencil heel, so-called because the heel is no thicker, and almost as long as, the humble HB. Enjoy your gladiator flats while you can girlies as the only shoes to be seen in next autumn/winter’a collections are those that require a health warning against broken ankles.

The designer Gianni Renzi promises that, by personally studying every technical aspect of the 100% Italian, in-house production process, all his shoes are perfectly formed for the female foot and very comfortable. All I can say is that shoes this beautiful were not made for walking; they were made to be worn by a diva who is being carried on the shoulders of several gorgeous men, but for an afternoon at least it’s nice to dream.