31 August 2007
INKA Shoes is a brand new shoe boutique in Cork. Located in French Church Street, it is a store for shoe lovers who crave something different! The store offers exclusive designs which will satisfy the desires of the most daring "shu-fashionistas"!
The inspiration for INKA Shoes comes from the Camper brand, which was originally stocked in LUCA, another shoe boutique owned by the same owners. The demand for Camper was so high that LUCA could not keep enough of the brand in stock to satisfy the demand. So the girls decided to open a new store where they could have a more complete range from Camper, but also could stock shoes that compliment the Camper brand.
LUCA was opened in Douglas in 2001 by cousins Louise Fitzgerald and Caroline Kenefick. In 2005, the opportunity arose to change location, and so the shop was moved to its current city centre location on Princes Street (ideally located for shopping between the South Mall and Oliver Plunkett Street). This was an opportunity to access a whole new market. It was at this stage that Karen O'Leary came on board and joined Louise and Caroline in business. All three are working mums and understand the importance of comfort while maintaining that element of style. While LUCA specializes in ladies shoes, INKA Shoes has a selection of ladies', men's and children's shoes and accessories, with a range of brands unique to Cork and in some instances Ireland.
Camper is known by its exclusive styles, always created for comfort, design and imagination. Inka Shoes is the largest selection of Camper stock in Munster and is the exclusive stockist of the brand in Cork City. The Camper collection for the autumn-winter season implies the perfect fusion between modern and classic, between extreme and moderation, between past and present. The handcraft work and the taste for the authentic and elegant, is present in both the feminine and masculine styles.
Ras is a Spanish brand, and is stocked exclusively in Cork in INKA Shoes. These shoes and boots are packed with decorations and details transforming them into special glamorous pieces, especially if worn with the matching bags also stocked in INKA Shoes.
Luca is a collection of shoes designed exclusively for LUCA, and now INKA Shoes. The store owners have carefully selected styles and materials with their customers in mind. Japonica is a Japanese brand, and in Ireland is exclusive to INKA Shoes. The quirky designs feature genuine silk kimono material. Catherine Parra bags are also available in INKA Shoes, and anyone carrying one of these French designer bags is sure to stand out from the crowd.
Inka Shoes is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Saturday from 10 - 6pm; and Thursday 10 - 7pm; Friday 10 - 8 pm; at 14b French Church Street, Cork. Phone (021) 4254929
As I travelled to Cork for some client and team meetings today, I found myself seated across from the marketing team of a global makeup brand. While I worked on my emails and tried to listen to a mafi...