Masquerading, Mayhem and Matching Shoes

 

A beautiful, brilliant friend is throwing a masquerade ball for Halloween this year. Guests will be donning grand dresses and suits with masks that spark the imagination. Best of all, it’s a surprisingly pressure-free way to dress up.

If you’re stressing over an original, cool and sexy costume concept without crossing the slutty line (we like to stay just shy) start with that dress in your closet–the one you sigh over every week but only had the chance to wear once (No, we are not counting the time you put it on to eat ice cream and watch 27 Dresses). Then run out for some coordinating shoes at Payless and hit the nearest Hallowen pop-up store or make your own matching mask. Soon you’ll be masquerading as your spectactular self.

Here are some looks to inspire your inner mistress.

Refined in Red

Pair this red lacey creation with ladylike d’orsay rosettes and admirers will come running.

Dark and Daring

Gentlemen callers will swoon over a decadent swan in satin t-strap sandals.

 

Prim Pierrot

You may look like a sad clown, but these oxfords will keep you happy.

Golden Goddess

Perhaps “Style Goddess” is a better title for any lady donning this golden Venetian mask and the Christian Siriano for Payless Carolina Pump.

 

 

 

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

Animal Planet: Caring Can Begin with Your Footwear

In my experience, we can judge humanity largely on how they treat – and interact – with animals.

Case in point:

VeganChic.com

If you are dating a man who has no animals, wants no animals, and shuns your animals – pretty likely, he will not anytime soon want to be making babies with you.

In fact, I’ve seen studies where serial killers have been researched based on their childhood activities – and in many cases, they mistreated or downright abused animals.

This summer, I was visiting a former friend, and she related a story to me about how her BFF had recently owned a puppy. Apparently, after living in her home for the duration of a year, the puppy got a little bit wild and they tried to return it – the store wouldn’t take it back… so they abandoned the defenseless animal at a fire hydrant in the middle of the night and drove away.

“Isn’t that hilarious???” my former friend asked me.

“Uh, no…” I responded. I was repulsed.

That was the last time I saw that friend. A few days later, she “disposed” of me in very much the same way her friend had disposed of the puppy. Ultimately, people who have disregard for others simply have disregard for others…puppy or person. And that is why sociopaths start off by nailing puppies to walls, and men who do not like kittens ultimately ain’t going to be your baby-daddy.

While I’m not saying that my love and appreciation for our furry friends has limited my enjoyment of, say, leather, or the occasional late-night buffalo burger, I will say I’d never ever disrespect any living, breathing creature with feelings – I’d treat them with all the love and care any of God’s creatures deserve – no matter if they get a little inconvenient for me at times.

That said, I am blown away at the level of cuteness found in vegan footwear these days – take my new pink patent peep-toes, $32.99, from VeganChic.com. Consideration comes in all forms, to all degrees, but if I can exhibit a little bit of species-consciousness at the same time I’m showing off my pedicure…why wouldn’t I?

Spoilt for Choice

It’s that time of year again.  The days are getting shorter, the nights are drawing in, the British summer’s been and gone – all 16 days of it – and we’re already suffering from Christmas creep!

So hurrah for the new Autumn, Winter 09 season.

Autumn/Winter 09 Knitwear

Textured, snuggly, sloppy and sleek knits to lust after; coats in a multitude of guises; hot, hot, hot accessories and the most intoxicating footwear I’ve seen forever!

With such an amazing array of fabulous fashion trends on offer this season, where does one begin to choose iconic new footwear staples?  From the department store meccas to the quirky shoe boutiques across the capital, acres of stunning shoe and boot displays are heaving with a mix of lusciously sexy opulence (mouth-watering colours, sumptuous textures, delicious intricacy) and edgy full-on ‘gloth’ drama (buckles, studs, distressed leather) a la Marilyn Manson.

 

Kurt Geiger's 'Skittle' boots

Boots are everywhere and with a plethora of designs from ankle-biting shoeboots through to lady-garden grazing thigh-highs, and everything in between, its hard to imagine owning any outfit that won’t pair beautifully with one of this season’s trends.

With my particular passion for boots, I’ve already discovered how brilliantly my recessionista wardrobe can be stretched with the addition of one pair of shoeboots . . . soft dove grey with towering heels from Kurt Geiger and my long sought-after Fiorentini+Baker biker boots.

 

Okay, so the biker boots have been on my wish-list ever since ‘im indoors bought the male version about 3 years ago.  At the time it seemed so wrong to be sporting ‘his and hers’ – just a little too ‘Posh and Becks’ – but now he’s moved on to John Varvatos Converse and rebonded with a particularly beaten-up old pair of Belstaffs, I feel I can now legitimately possess my very own pair of F+B ‘Eternitys’.

 

Celebs do F+B 'Eternitys'

And yes, they may be a little last season, or the season before, or even the one before that, but as they brilliantly transcend most other classic biker boots in their very existence years after launching, and since they help me carry off ‘left-bank effortless casual chic’ or ’stormtrooper goth’ as my father referred to me the other day, (he may remember stormtroopers, but I’m not entirely sure he knows what a goth is!)  I think they are THE best choice for Autumn/Winter 09.

 

 

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.

Tess Tuesday: Let the Wild Rumpus Begin

To be honest, we haven’t been this excited for a cultural event…

Since, well, since maybe ever.

And while we’ve determined that it’s impossible (or at the very least, certainly inadvisable) to actually become a wild thing…

That doesn’t mean you can’t, from time to time, pretend.  After all, aren’t fur (or faux) vests already an it item this fall?

You pair one of those babies with a pair of these babies…

And you’re good to go. And growl, if you want to.

What Would Dorothy Wear?

What would the Kansas farm girl-turned fashion icon wear today? That’s the question Warner Bros. and Swarovski posed to 19 shoe designers you love (I know you love them, don’t doubt me) and one FIDM design contest winner, Kaddie Lam (pictured with her spiral-heel stiletto). The result? Mouthwatering red confections that would make any modern-day Dorothy want to perfect her yellow brick road strut.

A very chic friend I’m now indebted to was kind enough to take on the role of Shoetube.tv field reporter and sent back pics of her favorites; as displayed last night at Tavern on the Green for The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary Emerald Gala.

What’s the fate of these gorgeous creations? They’re being auctioned off here until September 29, with the proceeds going to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, which works in 17 countries to prevent and treat HIV and AIDS.

So if you’ve got the budget, bid away. If you don’t, just click your heels together… or maybe watch the movie. It won’t bring you ruby slippers, but it will bring you back to your shoe-loving roots.

Moschino platform pumps with an oversized half bow on each toe. So sweet!

Christian Louboutin satin heels with fabric-feather detail.

Abaete crystal-encrusted pumps with bow detail.

Tuleh strappy pumps covered in satin and tulle. Dubbed a hot mess by our reporter.

Precarious platforms from Alberta Ferretti.

And L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani wooden open-toe platforms with satin bow. Not to mix magical stories but, these are the fairest of them all.

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.

A Stiletto Tale with a Citrus Twist

Hmm… who knew that a  British bookmaker/choreographer, a Business Volunteer for the Arts (BVA) from the Arts and Business Council of Greater Boston , and some dried fruit skins would inspire an adventure that dovetails so well with with Wendy Toth’s recent post on pole dancing? Admit it… you are just a teensy bit curious to hear yet another tale from the ever widening intersection of shoes and art. 

Rosella Fuimi’s dance studio in Palazzo Caravajal-Simoncelli, Orvieto, Italy

Well, to explain I will have to return to when I snagged my fabulous Ferrari boots in Rome. Immediately afterwards, I headed off to a castle in Orvieto to study with Simone Forti. In between sessions of this workshop, I met Janine Harrington, an intriguing choreographer who hails from London. She and I bonded over many “meals” of nutella slathered on toast and have since kept in touch.

Recently, Janine’s creative impulses have prompted her to explore bookmaking. When she popped across the pond for a visit this summer, I thought she might fancy a trip to the Fuller Craft Museum . This hidden treasure in Boston’s southern suburbs is nestled into a picturesque nook overlooking a pond and is surrounded by an ever growing sculpture garden.  Susan Hammond introduced me to it when she became Monkeyhouse’s BVA a few years back. Without her, I might never have ventured down to enjoy their impeccable exhibits.

Marina Dempster's Ebullient, a found shoe festooned with beeswax, pine resin, glass seed beads, and feathers

Imagine my surprise when Janine and I found  The Perfect Fit exhibit at the Fuller Craft Museum. With over 120 objects created by artists in America, Canada, and Israel, it challenges and examines the childhood memories, politics, and fetishes associated with all sorts of  shoes.  While most of the fanciful footwear is non-functional, e.g. racks of ceramic stilettos sprouting vegatables, a curious chorus of bronzed baby booties, and a pair of wing tips with vampirish lips, I encourage you to hoof it down to this museum in Brockton, MA (formerly known as “The Shoe Capital of the World”) before January 3, 2010.

Jan Hopkin's stiletto sculpture, Tolerance, crafted out of dried fruit skins

Even if you are not an avid fan of contemporary craft, Shoetube readers will revel in Wendy Tarlow Kaplan’s curatorial vision (don’t miss her gallery talk on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, at 1 p.m). For example, after her pole dancing lessons, Wendy Toth would really appreciate Jan Hopkins‘ platforms fashioned from grapefruit and cantaloupe peels. Proclaiming “Judge her when you’ve walked in her shoes”, this sculpture references a bitter controversy surrounding a divorced mom who turned to exotic dancing to support her family.

Ok, this tale has rambled on long enough, but you can read more about my adventure here.