A Bold Metamorphosis for the Modern Bride

A Story of Transformation with Bella Belle Shoes

However the events (and non-events) of 2020 unfolded in your corner of the world, the fact is: we are all changed. You cannot live through a pandemic, an (ongoing) civil rights movement and a historic, U.S. election and not be affected. And the 2021 Bella Belle Shoes Metamorphosis Collection celebrates our collective transformation through a story of color, rebirth and liberation. Let it inspire your own process of metamorphosis…

The Miracle of Metamorphosis

The most visible changes that a butterfly undergoes happen out of sight. 

The third stage of metamorphosis—the process of changing shape—is the chrysalis. After eating its fill of leaves, the caterpillar is completely tucked away inside the cocoon. Then begins the actual transformation. Tissue, organs and limbs very quickly become new parts of the butterfly that is forming.

And of course, we all know what happens next.

A completely new and reformed creature emerges from the cocoon. Different shape. New colors. 

And now—it can fly. 

Something that was bound to the earth just days before, can now spread its wings and fly. 

If that’s not a miracle, I don’t know what is.

The Vision of the Bella Belle Shoes Metamorphosis Collection

The butterfly seems the perfect representation of all the hope that 2021 holds for so many of us. A rebirth of society, of communal experiences, of values and our place in the fight for racial equality—all seem ready to burst out of our social proverbial chrysalis.

It’s this anticipation that captures the Bella Belle Shoes Metamorphosis Collection for me. After waiting, tucked away in our homes, this collection infuses color, detail and the audacity to fully embrace who you are into our souls. And our shoes…

Joy Proctor’s creative vision for our editorial shoot sums it up best:

“This is a story of liberation told in color; a legacy of resilience that began with our ancestors and lives on through us. It is a tale of triumph for BIPOC cultures who persevered despite being underestimated, marginalized and silenced. 

Within the cocoons that tried to confine us, a vibrant palette grew deeper as we understood the gravity of our own power. It was not until the caterpillar embraced what made them unique, that they became the butterfly, reborn to walk proudly in color.

The Bella Belle Shoes 2021 Metamorphosis campaign was an opportunity to tell the story of our world post 2020, to tell the story of resilience, rebirth. In ways large and small, our world was forever changed by the events of 2020.”

Shedding Old Ideas

What I love most about my job is the opportunity to collaborate. Whether I’m envisioning the perfect wedding weekend with one of our couples or dreaming of creative editorials with artistic colleagues, that’s my favorite zone. Working with the Bella Belle team to help bring their vision for the 2021 collection to life was truly a dream collaboration. 

When I was brought into the planning of the shoot, my challenge was to show new perspectives of a frequently shot location: the historic Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. I also had the challenge of  bringing shoes to life in visual, still photographs. 

Lucky for me, the shoes (and the stunning gowns!) made it easy.

To prepare for the shoot, I scouted the location several times and held storyboard sessions with Joy. We brainstormed how we could bring each look together, while remaining true to the shoes and the vision of transformation. 

Ultimately, we let the fashion speak.

We paired bold, voluminous gowns with striking jewels to create an editorial story that pushed the boundaries of ‘the bridal editorial.’ We decided to bravely reimagine bridal looks for the modern, liberated bride. We decided to shed our old skin (ideas) of what should be and imagined what could be.

And to boldly step, in Bella Belle heels, into the season ahead…

A World Changing Shape

So many aspects of our lives have taken on new shape and meaning in these past months. Weddings and events got much smaller—or non-existent. Social media activity and streaming content exploded in size. Perhaps your relationships took on new shape and size too. 

But rebirth feels just around the corner in every way.

We’ve been given a chance to reimagine and re-envision the shape of our lives. To let it change and transform into something more free, more beautiful, more purposeful.

And the Bella Belle Shoes Metamorphosis Collection is inviting us into this transformation. With hand-crafted shoes made with the highest quality materials and designs, any 2021 bride can boldly step into this new world.

Who are you becoming in this new season? 
What shapes will you take on when the new world calls to you?
What has nurtured your soul in the dark, quiet places that will soon fuel your own metamorphosis?

Let the transformative vision inspire you below. 

And don’t miss the video by Ále Vidal at the end.

Layers unfolding like wings. The layers of our humanity, of our experience. The layers of history, the layers of pain, and the layers of healing and strength that create the foundation for new layers.
— Joy Proctor