Move Over, Manolo

Heads up, Blahnik, Choo and Louboutin; there’s a new luxury shoe designer, and he’s not lacking in attitude. “A daughter doesn’t want to wear what her mother is wearing,” says George Mang of his collection of intricately designed footwear, which debuts this fall. “I think I have something different to say than what’s out there.” A high school dropout who “wanted to grow up to be Keith Richards,” Mang started his career at 16 as a department store shoe salesman in Phoenix. “I thought it would be a great way to meet girls,” says the Scottsdale native, who later worked as a buyer and self-taught shoe designer. Last year he met two female entrepreneurs who became his backers, and George Mang Design was off and running. Starting next month, his shoes will be sold at select Nordstrom stores and at Jill Kohl. Made of satins, suede and kidskin leather, many of the styles recall the glamour of the ‘20s and ‘40s, but with a rock ‘n’ roll twist. Fall’s offerings, which run from $450 to $750, include red suede pumps with a silver piped bow, ankle boots with a metal heel and plenty of sexy stilettos with Mang’s signature silver lining and soles. Crafted in Italy by the same factories that Dior, Gucci and Sergio Rossi use, the creations get the hands-on touch from Mang, who crafts the buckles and detailing. Mang, who lives in Carlsbad, plans to add handbags to the mix and hopes to open his own shop in L.A.: “I need access to Hollywood and Hollywood needs access to me.”

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The George Mang collection will be offered at Jill Kohl, 1210-A Montana Ave., Santa Monica; (310) 393-8889.