/R E P E A T -- Luxury brand alumnae launch online designer shoe site/

theseptember.com is the first Canadian Online Destination for Designer Shoes

TORONTO, Sept. 12, 2013 /CNW/ - Christine Carlton and Aynsley Wintrip Harris are long time friends who share a passion for shoes. Having hailed from Canada's two most reputable luxury brands, Holt Renfrew and Four Seasons respectively, they have come together to create an online shopping experience, with customer experience at its core. The September will offer Canadian women access to the designer brands they love, without the inconvenience and extra cost of ordering from international sites.

"We saw an opportunity in the Canadian market for an online shopping experience at the luxury level," said Carlton, Co-Founder, The September.  "Our website will be welcome news for women who want to shop online without having to pay for duty and shipping."

When shopping international sites, duties, shipping costs and currency exchange can add more than 40% to the cost of a single pair of shoes for Canadian shoppers.  The September will price its products relative to other retailers at home and the U.S.  There will be no duty charges and all shipping and returns will be complimentary.

"Free shipping and free returns is a service we will provide our customer as part of the overall experience of shopping our site," said Wintrip Harris, Co-Founder, The September. "We looked at every aspect of the online shopping process and asked ourselves, 'how can we give our customer an exceptional experience?'"

Access to the world's most coveted designer shoe brands is one of the ways The September will appeal to its customers.  At launch, the website will carry a range of styles from Valentino; Michael Kors, from his new designer shoe collection launching this fall; Brian Atwood; Marc by Marc Jacobs; as well as emerging designers Paul Andrew; and Aquazzura.  Each season will bring new brands and a wider selection of products.

"Canadian women will be familiar with many of the brands we carry and we plan to introduce them to emerging brands as well," said Carlton. "We have curated a beautiful assortment of designer shoes with stylish Canadian women in mind."

In addition to shopping, visitors to The September will be inspired by Canadian tastemakers. The site will feature Style Profiles of Canadian women and explore elements of their lifestyle, including their approach to fashion, the way they entertain, travel and design their homes.

"As good friends, Christine and I get style inspiration from each other," said Wintrip Harris. "We wanted to create an environment where our customer can get ideas from other women who inspire them, the same way girlfriends do."

The September was named for the most celebrated month in fashion. A time when Canadian and international fashion magazines produce inches-thick fall fashion issues and the fashion capitals of the world host their shows.

"We're thrilled to introduce Canadian women to a homegrown online shopping option for designer shoes," said Carlton. "We're looking forward to giving people that excited feeling they get from fall shopping, 12 months of the year."

SOURCE: The September