Southampton - History repeats itself. Contributing writer for the New York Times and author, Jane Julianelli is living a legacy and innovating the world of fashion, one step at a time.

Her most recent book, "The Naked Shoe," takes you into the life of a true craftsman. Coty Award-winner and innovator in couture shoe design, Mabel Julianelli, worked her entire career to establish a name for herself and her fabulous shoes as well. With the help of her husband Charles, the two pursued a romance that would give birth to an empire that would later be duplicated by top luxury shoemakers from around the world, from Jimmy Choo to Nike Inc., as the book unfolds a love story with a vintage twist.

Jane Julianelli's book on display at Canio's Books. (Brittany Buckley)

At her recent book signing at Canio's Books in Sag Harbor, Julianelli gave a speech that went deeper into 'The Artistry of Mabel Julianelli.' "I began my research to write 'The Naked Shoe,' and what I found just astounded me. Great institutions of New York City like the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, the Fashion Institute of Technology, Parsons, and The New School For Design had lovingly preserved donated Julianelli shoes in their permanent collections as well as exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art."

Mabel Julianelli's craft spoke for itself. Through the love of her work and the undying love for her husband, Julianelli crafted evening shoes that made customers forget about the pain that can be associated with beauty, especially when it comes to stilettos. What made her shoes stand out from the rest is that she made them with comfort, effortless simplicity and added a finishing touch of elegance, establishing her name in the fashion industry in New York throughout the 1950s.

Jane Julianelli at her launch party in New York City. (Steven P. Harris)

"Vintage is a big story that is attached to this book. The book is very lighthearted since my mother had a great sense of humor and it's a lot of fun to read," remarked Julianelli. "It's been an incredible experience because there's a burgeoning movement of vintage fashion."

'The Naked Shoe' tells a love story in between the lines as Julianelli uncovered memorabilia from her parent's era including style sketches, letters and journals between her mother and father. "It's a very deep romantic story. People in those years were so innocent and the love notes and the letters were all so innocent you almost thought you were listening to two children," remarks Julianelli. "It was very touching, people don't talk that way to each other anymore. I felt like I was very privileged to be eavesdropping a little bit on this very special relationship between two people who were very much in love."

Julianelli plans to live the legacy of her parents that sparked a fashion explosion that took the 1940s and 1950s by storm. The launch of the book began at a party at the Rizzoli Bookstore in New York City in November as the word spreads to readers, fashionistas and supporters who kept in mind that timeless evening shoes that are worn today would not have be in existence without the inspiration of Mabel Julianelli's incredible talent. The book can be purchased in the Hamptons at local bookstores including Bookhampton, Canio's Books and The Montauk Bookshop as well.

For more information go to www.mabeljulianellishoebook.com