Sophie Theallet unveiled her new collection for Nine West last night at Blanchet Flowers in the meatpacking district, the first of many collaborations (er, "shoelaborations") that the footwear company has planned. The collection drops online and in select Nine West stores this May, followed by a Giles Deacon for Nine West this fall.

Theallet, who describes herself as "very French!" and greeted everyone at the event with energetic double-cheek kisses, says she wanted the collection to be a combination of New York and Parisian style (indeed, the theme is "Sophie From Paris Takes a Trip to NYC"). A pair of platform-heeled espadrilles with straps and bows made of striped ribbon is what "a French girl would wear on the Riviera," she explains, "with rolled up blue jeans and a little T-shirt." She's also made two pairs of flats, which can be folded in half and tucked into a purse. "So you can wear them when you are walking to your office instead of — how to do you call them — baskets? Those things you wear to exercise? Sneakers!" She made a face and held up one of her flats. "Wear these instead!"

Theallet also collaborates with Manolo Blahnik, who has provided all the footwear for her ready-to-wear shows. But the parnerships with Blahnik and Nine West are all just "practice" for launching shoes and accessories under her own label, she says. "I did these collaborations to learn ... I got to work with Fred Allard [Nine West's creative director], and he helped make all my dreams come true with the shoes." When will her own accessories line come out? "I am working on it now," she said. "It will be soon!"

[Update: This post has been changed from its original version. At this time, Sophie Theallet and Manolo Blahnik do not have plans to launch a collaborative footwear collection.]