Vanessa Seward

Meet the designer who's bound to become the go-to for the coolest French girls (and those who dress like them).

When Azzaro parted ways with head designer Mathilde Castello Branco in October of last year, they said they would "shortly announce her successor." While the French brand may want to reconsider their definition of shortly (it's been nearly eight months), they have finally chosen her replacement. The fashion house has hired Spanish designers Arnaud Maillard and Alvaro Castejón to take over creative duties, according to WWD.

A.P.C. was nice enough to let us pick Seward's brain about her latest collection for the brand.

The great thing about dance shoes is that they look a little sexy, but they're sturdy and practical. Those kinds of dance shoes are perfect for women like me who enjoy being able to walk in their heels—or maybe even run for a cab in them. Fashion is not oblivious to their charms. Most recently, APC designer Jean Touitou, who has showed us many times over the years that he understands the value of a great ballerina pump/not looking like an idiot in uncomfortable heels, commissioned an Argentine company to make tango shoes for his fall collection. Click through to see our favorites, in dance stores now.

A.P.C.'s girl never really changes, but that's what's so great about her. Celebrity fans Kim Gordon and Sofia Coppola embody the A.P.C. persona, and we couldn't help but think about both of them while inside the French label's Left Bank studio, where fall 2013 was presented by founder Jean Touitou and ongoing guest designer Vanessa Seward.

Ever since it was announced that Vanessa Seward would be leaving Azzaro last year, we've missed seeing her super-pretty, need-to-wear-it-now pieces and wondered when we would get a glimpse of her design talent next. Happily, Seward's recent collaboration with A.P.C. has offered us everything we've been missing. Though the capsule collection, which debuted just yesterday, is definitely well-edited (there's only a dozen looks), each piece is stylish, timeless and can be worn for many different occasions. According to the press release, "both A.P.C. and Vanessa Seward met through their mutual admiration for each other’s designs," and the resulting collection is "a collaboration in the true sense, retaining the spirit of each designer."

PARIS--A print of suits here (of the playing cards variety), a glittery bow there, and if you look close--there was even a tiny parrot who flitted abo