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She might be best known for modelling glamorous lingerie, but model and new mum Candice Swanepoel is the first to admit her personal style off-duty has way more bohemian flavour.

So when she agreed to team up with American footwear label Mara & Mine to co-create a capsule collection of summer shoes, a set of four free-spirited vegan sandals featuring shells, crocheted anklets and metal detailing was the natural result.

Just this week, Swanepoel was snapped on the streets of her home city of New York in the shell-embellished pick from the range, which has just dropped globally, costing between $210 and $285 and make for ideal festival or beach bar footwear.

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Candice Swanopeol in the Ariel style, which retails for $285 Credit: Instagram @maraandmine

Proceeds from the four styles will be chanelled to an Africa-based charity that’s close to Swanepoel’s heart, mothers2mothers, which works to combat paediatric AIDS and support HIV-positive mother-to-be in nine sub-Saharan African countries. As a beautiful twist, the model was also pregnant at the time she designed the range.

To celebrate the launch, Swanepoel spoke about the range and the thought behind it in this Australian exclusive interview.

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Exclusive images of Swanepoel wearing the Harper style on the steps of her New York home Credit: Supplied

How did you first discover the brand Mara & Mine? [It] was brought to my attention by a friend. I met with co-owners Tamie and Jasmine in New York City where we hit it off and discussed working on a collection of ‘sustainable accessories’ – a shoe collection that is all vegan leather and proceeds go to a charity that is close to my heart, mothers2mothers 

Why did you want to collaborate on a shoe collection? I’m a very creative person and am always looking for opportunities to explore that. Working in fashion allows me to do that, and so during the time off during my pregnancy I needed a project to work on.

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Candice Swanepoel x Mara & Mine, Luna sandals, $210. SHOP NOW

How involved were you in the design process? I was involved in each step of the creative process. The girls and I sat down together and shared what inspires us and made mood boards to begin the design process. They were very excited at the opportunity to explore what we could create using vegan leather.

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Candice Swanepoel x Mara & Mine, Ariel sandal, $285. SHOP NOW

What was the inspiration for the shoes? [It] shoes came from my love of the summer months, travel, and my bohemian and minimalist style. I wanted to create a summer collection that is flattering, simple and ethical, to show people that vegan accessories can be just as beautiful and luxurious as regular leather accessories. I was inspired by my Bottletop [ethical bag brand] family who I’ve worked with for a few years and are one of the first sustainable fashion brands out there. They make sustainable handbags – the quality is impeccable. I asked myself why aren’t there more brands out there with the same objective.

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Candice Swanepoel x Mara & Mine, Harper sandal in tan, $285. SHOP NOW

Where will you be wearing the shoes and will you be sharing them with fellow Angels? I can’t wait to show the collection off. They are the kind of sandals you wear every summer that go with everything. Some are basics that will travel with me always and other pairs that are more of a fashion statement. And yes, I will be sharing the collection with my girls [the Victoria’s Secret Angels]. I’m sure they will love them.

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Candice Swanepoel x Mara & Mine, Stella in black (also comes in blue), $250. SHOP NOW
All images supplied

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