Celebrity Sneakers

Recently, DJ and sometimes Lindsay Lohan kanoodler Samantha Ronson teamed up with Supra to produce a high-top sneaker. “The shoes are a version of the brand’s Indy pair but in a new set of colors — distressed black suede with a gold detail and white sole,” wrote New York Magazine’s The Cut Fashion Blog.

Samantha Ronson for Supra

According to Ronson’s Web site, she’ll have a new sneaker out late this month. ”Originally not planned for a public release, we’ve decided to drop a limited run of these hyper-colored TK’s after hearing your cries for blood. 600 pairs of each colorway will be produced,” Ronson writes.

Samatha Ronson's hyper-color TKs

(Ronson’s brother Mark designed a shoe for Gucci for Fall 09  — which looks, oddly, like a 1980s deck shoe.)
Hello Kitty — celebrating birthday number 35 — also designed sneakers styles. “These two renowned companies have designed limited edition sneakers to honor Hello Kitty’s 35th anniversary,” said BeautyStyleWatch of HK’s collaboration with Asics. “Not only are they comfortable to wear but they are so totally hot to look at!”

Hello Kitty by Asics

And the LA Times blog writes, “When we thought Hello Kitty domination was beginning to wane, we came across these Asics sneakers and just about died and went to Hello Kitty heaven.”
Coming in Jaunary, according to Converse Shoe Store’s blog, the footwear company will release “several shoes dedicated to The Clash. Most notably is the Converse London Calling shoes which celebrates the 30th Anniversary of the album. There will also be a pair of Converse Shoes that look like a jacket with buttons and Chuck Taylors with The Clash logos.”

Converse's The Clash print

Parisian boutique Colette collaborated with Reebok on a redesign project. Explains excellent women’s sportswear blogger FemaleSneakerFeinds, “Reebok’s celebrating the 20th birthday of their Reebok Pump by collaborating with 20 elite shops to design their own versions of these classics. Here is Colette’s take, and I love ‘em!”
The catch: According to SuperXOfficial, “Only 30 pairs of these kicks will be produced so either catch a flight to France on November 16th (the day they drop) or check eBay on the 17th in the a.m.” We’re passed those crucial dates, but it’s still worth checking.

Reebok Pump by Colette

This summer, Vanessa and Angela Simmons (daughters of Run-D.M.C.’s Joseph Simmons) added to their Pastry line, which is kicks rather than cakes. Reports Sneakers and Shoes (who has been following the line since 2007), “Pastry is doing alright. I see women wearing them every other day in one way or another.”

Pastry sneakers

Tess Tuesday: Celeb Style

Love these looks? Look no further!

Jessica Simpson

The Delma Janis

Lauren Conrad

The Corso Como Rachel II

Hillary Duff

The Faryl Robin Dahling

Anne Hathaway

The Corso Como Boca

 

Celebrity Shoes: The Motherload

While I enjoy reporting on celeb-fueled footwear lines, this Fall’s offerings are less of the occasional mention and more of a full-on deluge of A lister-backed collections. So here’s a roundup of who’s designing what and when shoppers can expect to test drive the star-powered shoes:

1. Nitrolicious reported that singer Beyoncé will launch the Sasha Fierce (Beyoncé’s alter-ego) for Deréon Collection. Beyoncé’s mom/mamanger Tina Knowles described the line to WWD as “edgier and trendier;” in addition to outerwear, handbags, lingerie, jewelry and eyewear look for “heavily studded shoes.”

Sasha Fierce for Deréon

According to Style Guru, the line, which launched in September for back-to-school shopping (because what 9th grader doesn’t need heavily studded heels?), “comes at a very affordable price ranging from $25 to $75 and is available at Macy’s and Dillard’s.”

2. It its Oct. 23 issue, New York Magazine’s fashion blog The Cut revealed that, on the heels of Heidi Klum’s dropped jewelry line, the Project Runway host will launch a 48-style show collection for Fall 2010. (Or, says StyleNews, the collection will “be the first to hit stores in February 2010 and will include everything from sky-high stilettos to tall boots.”) Writes the blogger, “The inspiration is the same as every celebrity’s with a fashion line — what’s currently in her closet.”

Louis Vuitton's 2009 Spicy Sandal, worn by Klum

The project, according to  WWD, is a collaboration with “Modern Vintage and Majestic Mills co-founders Rick and Brian Cytrynbaum.”

3. In all the excitement about the launch of the Olsen Twins’ Olsenboye line of J.C. Penny (they’re promoting it in a cupcake truck!), has Mary-Kate and Ashley’s other project — the Elizabeth and James line — fallen under the radar? Say it isn’t so! Nitrolicious previewed the 2009 Elizabeth and James footwear collection, pronouncing it “so amazing.” Pictured here, the lace-up flat ankle boots, available at Saks.

Elizabeth and James ankle boot

4. Paris Hilton frenemy Nicole Richie is to (says blogger Fantastictoe) partner “with Modern Vintage shoes and Earnest Sewn jeans. Richie will add a line of around 20 shoe styles to her House of Harlow 1960 label for spring of 2010.”

5. Black Eyed Pea Fergie’s shoe line, launched in Spring of 2009 through endless.com, is offering up fall and winter looks like a shearling-lined boot and a magenta suede peep-toe. Blogger Fergie Freak writes, “Recently, I have been asked about where to get some of the fabulous shoes Fergie has been seen performing in. Well, it turns out that they are part of her own line of shoes. She’s come out with a lot of new styles for the fall.” (A poll on Beauty Xpose’s Foot Fetish Friday showed that voters were evenly divided when it came to the hotness or notness of the singer’s spring footwear.)

Fergie's magenta kid suede heel

Sneakerball 2009: Who’s That Chick Rockin’ Kicks?

At the Greater Washington Sports Alliance (GWSA) 2009 Sneakerball that “chick” may have been Sheila C. Johnson, Lindsay Czarniak, or Cristy Oglevee.

Sheila C. Johnson (pictured right)

For 6 years running the GWSA has honored outstanding members of D.C.’s sport’s community at this unique black tie event that encourages attendees to wear tennies with their tuxes! But I had to wonder, do women actually ditch their stilettos for sneakers?

As I approached the venue in my pink sparkly Converse, I was slightly apprehensive; however, my fears were assuaged as I saw not just men, but many women sporting sneakers as well. I talked to several women who fessed up that they too were afraid they would be the only heeless gals, but in the end swapped their pumps for Pumas anyway. Quite a few ladies, though, could not part with their heels and sported some killer stilettos. The hands-down most asked question of the night? Why on earth WOULDN’T you wear sneakers?! Most of the guys assumed it

Mike Easby, Mrs. DC Deanna McCray, and Justin Scango

was a vanity issue, but Mrs. DC, Deanna McCray raised a very valid point. Her evening gowns are hemmed for heels (as are most of ours), so wearing sneakers would leave her dress dragging on the floor. She promised she tried–and wanted to–wear sneakers, but they just wouldn’t work.

As for the guys and gals that sported sneakers, there were some very impressive shoes! Converse were probably the most popular choice as one can find them in an array of colors and textures. I also discovered that Nike and Puma make some pretty sharp sneaks as well! My absolute favorite shoes, though, were the DIY projects. Sheila Johnson spruced up her sneakers with ribbon laces in shades of salamander, and I was totally jealous of Julie Hoyt who added rhinestones to the toes of her silver Converse (why didn’t I think of that?!).

Sheila Johnson wore snazzy salamander laces

Julie Hoyt jazzed up her Converse using rhinestones

While there were an abundance of stand-out shoes, the real stars of the evening were the GWSA honorees, including the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver and the Washington Capitals Alex Ovechkin. I must say, that whether you’re more into sports or shoes, the Sneakerball is truly a one-of-a-kind experience and a black tie event that you will never forget.

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Lindsay Lohan’s Mom Launches a Shoe Line

It’s the line launch that caused the groan heard round the world: Lindsay Lohan’s mom, Dina, plans to release her own footwear designs. This is the concise Tweet from New York Magazine’s In the Cut:

@cutblog We just got this release and kind of died RT @glamour_fashion just found out dina lohan is doing a line of shoes called “shoe-han.”

It’s the line launch that caused the groan heard round the world: Lindsay Lohan’s mom, Dina, plans to release her own footwear designs. This is the concise Tweet from New York Magazine’s In the Cut:

@cutblog We just got this release and kind of died RT @glamour_fashion just found out dina lohan is doing a line of shoes called “shoe-han.”

Dina Lohan

Go ahead and google “shoe-han.” I dare you.

Actually, The StyleList is aiming for fairness if not gushing enthusiasm. “We’re happy to report that all of the shoes will be under $100, and the collection will launch around Mother’s Day 2010,” the blog writes. And, in Lohan’s own words, “The line is not called ‘Shoe-Han!’”

Though that might change in the next six months, since every fashion blogger out there is tossing the moniker around.

HecklerSpray posted a press release that reads, “Dina Lohan, diva and star of the hit E! show ‘Living Lohan,’ as well as mother to actress and starlet Lindsay, will be holding a major press conference and media reception on Thursday October, 8 at 2pm at Trump Plaza… to announce a creation of her new own shoe line, ‘Shoe-han’ as well as becoming a national spokesmodel for the popular LoveMyShoes.com retail designer ladies footwear stores.”

And for those whole like a little snark in their news, Here’s New York Mag’s more detailed missive: “The line will be sold on LoveMyShoes.com and the site ‘hopes’ to launch them worldwide by Mother’s Day. ‘Hopes’ because there remains the sliver of a possibility that fervent demand for the footwear won’t overcome the entire globe.”

The big question, of course, is what will the shoes look like. For now, that remains to be seen, unless we can go by this photo posted by ShoeBlog.

Popular opinion cold change should Lohan’s collection present shoe shoppers with the perfect footwear, but a casual poll posted at PopEater reveals that 91-percent of online votes do not plan to buy from Shoe-han.

Shoe of the Month Club

When a friend of mine, a confessed shoe addict, feverishly posted a link to Shoe Dazzle on her Facebook page, I was intrigued. And a little frightened. It’s just that the site (a shoe club that functions much like those ubiquitous CD clubs of the 90s) sounds too good to be true.

An offering from Shoe Dazzle

You take a survey. A team of expert stylists (apparently including reality TV star Kim Kardashian, who launched the online business) make personalized recommendations and then once a month (for the monthly membership fee of $39) you receive a new pair of shoes.

First off, how can an online survey detect my very individual taste in shoes? And second, for $39 am I buying a whole lotta pleather?

Well, according to About.Com’s Plus-Size Fashion, yes on both counts. “While the shoes were synthetic, I can’t say that I was particularly surprised, due to the price.” But: “Despite the fact that the shoes were not leather, they were carefully stitched and molded, and did not give the impression of cheap or inexpensive footwear, which is extremely important to me.”

More Shoe Dazzle selections

Other members also seem not to mind the synthetic material. Cyndi, a commenter on Upscale Swagger writes, “I am a Shoe Dazzler…great looking shoes, well made for faux leather, brillant idea Kimmy, Shoe of the Month club!”

Actually — and maybe surprisingly for a Web-based club run by a celebutante  who posed nude and released a workout DVD before launching her shoe service — the clammor of Shoe Dazzle is mostly positive.

Actually — and maybe surprisingly for a Web-based club run by a celebutante  who posed nude and released a workout DVD before launching her shoe service — the clammor of Shoe Dazzle is mostly positive.

Splendicity: “Remember when I mentioned I was shopping over at Shoe Dazzle? I got my package of awesome grey sky-high heels, and I thought that you might like to hear about what I thought. . . besides the fact that they were, um, awesome!”

Don’t like your monthly options? Choose the “skip a month” option and you’re not charged. But shoppers seem happy with the picks offered up based on how they answer a series of deep-reaching, soul-tapping questions (hint: Who’s style do you prefer, The Olsen Twins, Beyonce or Posh Spice?).

The cagey Marchesa

Blogger Plush Junkie seemed slightly flummoxed by her September choices, writing, “Here are the five styles of shoes that I was sent from my personal shoe stylists at Shoe Dazzle this month. Not sure if any of these are really doing it for me…” but then boldly admitting, “I am seriously drawn to the Marchesa and its eerie similarity to the YSL Cage heels that are hot right now.”

Maybe, just maybe, those expert stylists have found a way to tap our shoe psyches after all.

Stepping Up, and Stepping Out

It’s really easy to forget how incredibly lucky we are.

Whether we blow our money on expensive takeout, tumescent rent, or simple daily wastefulness, we often–no matter how frugal we may fool ourselves we are–live lives of excess, whether or not we can afford it.

Vanessa Minnillo and Kelly Rutherford at DSW Presents: Step Up & Step Out’s Champagne Brunch, Photo Credit: Kristen Somody

And then we see a glimpse at the people who truly can’t. The people who struggle for that every carton of milk, every metrocard, and realize we are blessed. And it’s that blessing that makes it our duty to stop obsessing about ourselves and start contributing to the world around us.

This past weekend, I had the honor of being a guest at DSW Presents: Step Up & Step Out, an event that started out a champagne brunch and started out the hottest shoe sale of the year.

It was held at the super-fancy W Hotel, and began with a VIP champagne preview brunch and a designer shoe sale featuring labels from DSW Shoes and interactive style lounges. Sales helped raise funds for the Step Up Women’s Network program in New York.

Film and television personality Vanessa Minnillo served as honorary chair, accompanied by shoe-lover and Gossip Girl star Kelly Rutherford! The event’s host committee was lead by DSW spokesperson and renowned stylist Bobbie Thomas. The DSW event benefit the female empowerment charity Step Up Women’s Network,and Vanessa spoke at length about the importance of having women role models in her life.

The network raised money through sales of fabulous shoes – and the day was all a very good time, as VIPs tried on fierce stilettos and sipped pink champagne. But it had a bigger message: Indulge in the fabulousness of our lives, but remember to share our blessings, and be there for the next generation as the generation before has been there for us. One day, not so far away, they will be raising their own glasses…in equally smashing stilettos…and making a difference for someone else out there.

Fashion Week’s New Take on the Ankle Wrap

Though the strappy lace up boots-meet-sandals aren’t going away anytime soon (and I’m not complaining), the September runway shows in New York turned up some interesting variations on that theme. Derek Lam’s spring collection received plenty of raves and while fashion writers didn’t spend a lot of time at the Bryant Park tents shoes waxing poetic over the footwear (it does kind of get lost in the face of all those gowns/high waisted trousers/ginormously padded shoulders), Lam’s shoes merited mentions.

Derek Lam, Spring 2010

“Shoes, belts and bags were all by the Lam himself and figured prominently as they are a growing part of his business,” wrote StyleList. “The shoes were boy-meets-girl — elaborate strappy lace-ups and colorfully banded sandals.” The New York Post agreed, writing, “Many of the best bits of Derek Lam shows are the shoes and bags.”

Also from Derek Lam

My faves, Lam’s gladiator-ish laceup sandals, have clog-like soles and come in olive green and cranberry red. Both colors are unusual yet could be paired with a wide range of outfits. The extra-long laces, which the models wore wrapped around their calves above the top of the shoes, give a tough punk girl in combat boots look, which tempers the beachy boho feel of the open leather work.

Balenciaga, resort wear 2010

Balenciaga turned out two different themes on the ankle wrap in its resort wear collection. One, a platform creation with black patent leather layered, origami-style, over neon-bright blue and orange strips, is all at once 80s-retro, disco glam and wildly futuristic.

Also from Balenciaga's resort wear collection

The other pair that caught my eye is reminiscent of the legwarmer-meets-slipper booties popular when I was in college. (Mucklucks, my mother called them.) Balenciaga’s sweater boots feature platforms, open toes and thickly woven coils of fabric wrapping the calves. The designer has been experimenting with a similar concept for a couple seasons, prompting blogger My It Things to write (last spring), “Since Balenciaga introduced the open toed flat boots in their Spring ready to wear 2008 collection, they are slowly making their way to the market. It’s still unclear if these are meant to be ever embraced by the masses. It has nothing to do with innovation, but rather with function. It’s hard to find the perfect occasion (or weather) for something so controversial.”

Though few bloggers have gotten around to addressing Balenciaga’s 2010 collection footwear, I Want-I Got did rave, “The shoes, my god, the shoes.”

Finally, Burberry’s (http://www.burberry.com/) spring collection caught my eye, not so much for the muted pallet and rain-ready jackets as for the excellent subversive/girly “Twisted Classics” leather platform shoes. According to

“[Burberry designer Christopher] Bailey’s collection … gave us twisted leather platform shoes, braided leather platform shoes, leather and satin bandage boots with zipper details on the back and will work so well with those short, deluxe, sexy dresses.” The runway prototypes were silver and beige, but actress Emma Watson (http://justjared.buzznet.com/photo-gallery/2236471/emma-watson-burberry-london-fashion-week-02/) was photographed at London fashion week in a black pair.

Burberry, Spring 2010

Finally, Burberry’s spring collection captured my imagination, not so much for the muted pallet and rain-ready jackets as for the excellent subversive/girly “Twisted Classics” leather platform shoes. According to A Woman and Her Shoes, “[Burberry designer Christopher] Bailey’s collection … gave us twisted leather platform shoes, braided leather platform shoes, leather and satin bandage boots with zipper details on the back and will work so well with those short, deluxe, sexy dresses.”

The runway prototypes were silver and beige, but actress Emma Watson was recently photographed at London fashion week in a black pair.

Fierce or Feeble? Christian Siriano’s Spring Shoes Debut

I rooted for Christian Siriano on Project Runway and I’m still rooting. His dresses often border divine and his shoe collections might be enough to convince me to brave the Halloween-colored decor of a Payless Shoe Store.

Christian Siriano's Spring 2010 line

Actually, according to a daily fashion missive from the NY Magazine blogs, Siriano’s Spring 2010 line for the discount retailer might be a little too much. Described as “talon-heeled footwear that could possibly double as weaponry,” the recent line debut included “booties, pumps, and Mary Janes came in varying shades of sand and blue and featured multiple buckles, straps, and sequins.” And (in a Prada-reminiscent moment), “since one tall platform sent one hapless model nearly toppling, we’re sure Payless is going to tone these down for mass market.”

The Slither boot, at Payless

Ankle-wrenching danger aside, shoe bloggers are turning up mixed reviews of the collection. “Christian Siriano’s high heels don’t inspire me at all,” sniffs Style Frizz while Splendicity gushes, “Christian Siriano’s spring line is inspired by Mediterranean travel… They are dramatic and beautiful with textured tribal elements, fabulous prints and lots of glitzy details — like sequins.”

Also a cheerleader, I Heart Heels had this to say: “The collection is expected in Payless stores next February. I know I cannot wait to purchase. Cheers to affordable luxury!” Finally, the opinionated but balanced Tom & Lorenzo opined, “We don’t love them completely. First off, those bizarre drawstring appendages are not at all fabulous. Secondly, that heel, while interesting, looks decidedly unstable. We do love the prints, though.”

Ultimately, what matters is the end result and that’s up to Payless. Siriano’s Fall 2009 collection (reportedly much toned down from the designer’s original idea) features four looks: A “Strut” pump, a “Saunter” flat, a “Sandtrap Peep Toe” with a vaguely bondage-looking ankle strap and (the most subversive) a “Slither” ankle boot with a satin finish, 4 inch heel and conical brass hardware. At $50, most shoe shoppers can afford to test-drive the fierceness for themselves.

Multiple Shoegasms

Fashion week is kicking off in NYC right this minute. But while most of us East Coasters were primping and preparing, Manhattan’s very own shoe lovers’ boutique, Shoegasm, made sure the Left Coast got a taste of our fierce fall fashion as well, by donating shoes for the Celebrity Catwalk show in Hollywood. Proceeds went to animal rescue charities and Shoegasm was sweet enough to send us a few shots of these kittens in their fall offerings.

Actress Tamala Jones:

Actress Tiffany Hines:

Kimberly Caldwell of Idol and P. Diddy’s Starmaker:

And Playmate Heather Rene Smith:

To buy, call Shoegasm at (212) 691-2091, and tell them which model’s kicks you like. All the prices are very reasonable, I promise.