Voyeurism (from the French voyeur “one who looks”) refers to a silent, and concealed observer, the subject of whose interest is unaware of their being watched. The voyeur uses hidden cameras, 2-way mirrors, and peepholes to study their subjects.

From Michelangelo Antonioni’s Blowup, to Hitchcock’s Rear Window and Helmut Newton voyeurism is a potent theme. Voyeurism, an age-old phenomenon, instances of which can be found in the bible has longbeen a fascination of photographers, artists, and filmmakers.

It was a cuminations of these artists’ images that Mechante designer Deborah Lyons drew on for her Spring/Summer 2011 collection. The “watchers” ability to capture and hold a moment of solitude, honesty, and seductive pleasure, a unique and unrepeatable sense of self true to both the subject and their creator has been an inspiration. Heels dramatically adorned white on white pythons, deep mustard yellow suede’s, pitch black and ruffled leathers. Chiffons, woven taupe’s, nudes, and blues evoke the ambience of these images targeting subconscious senses of exposure in a moment otherwise deeply personal and private.

The shoes are a testament to hand-made Italian craftsmanship, integrity of design, and an understanding of a woman’s need for comfort. Designer Deborah Lyons approaches shoe design from a clean, bold, sculptural point of view. At age 25, Deborah launched her own line “Mechante” (meaning ‘naughty’ in French), overseeing the development of her creations by travelling to the factories in Veneto, studying the craft, and working side by side with the artisans themselves.

Fiercely feminine, her designs combine a mix of luxurious textiles, leathers, and metals. Deborah’s elevation of the shoe to art for the foot is boldly captured in her signature – a gold triangle stretched out on the sole down to the heel.

This season Mechante has teamed up with model and presenter Zara Martin as the face of their SS11 campaign. Mechante will also be collaborating with designer William Tempest. The collection includes a line of soaring 5-inch heels, with an array of colors.