Top Awards in Shoe Design

This, my friends, is the first-prize winner of the International Shoe Design Competition organized by the Bata Shoe Museum. It’s called the Art of Paper Folding and it’s a leather-origami-fest. I was blown away by the originality of the top 20-designs, which also, mind you, came with a full-length essay justifying the designer’s vision. Those, I have to say, were fun to read! The designs varied from the elegantly eerie:

…to the downright kooky:

(um…that’s a Dr. Seuss boot… I think).

Overall, however, that’s what shoes are all about to me: creativity, vision, workmanship, wonder.You can see all the top-20 as well as all the competition entries with detailed explanations and justifications here. Don’t hesitate to meet me in the forums to discuss these crazy, wonderful designs!

Shoes get their own zip code

Photo courtesy of PR Newswire Photo Service

I think I know what my next address will be. Please send all correspondence to Shoesense, Saks Fifth Avenue, NY, 10022-SHOE.

That’s right, shoes got their own zip-code in order to accommodate the store’s shoe salon on its completely redesigned eighth floor. 10022- SHOE will open with a gala celebration this September. This is the first time in U.S. history that a floor is granted its own designated zip code by the United States Post Office. There will even be a set of limited edition stamps commemorating the event. Everyone, bow to the power of SHOES!

Steve Sadove, Chairman and CEO, Saks Fifth Avenue said, ’The new eighth floor will be an impressive venue for our world-class collections and a true landmark for shoe lovers.’ Let’s count the ways how: There will be a VIP room for private shoping. There will be refreshments. There will be an expert shoe repair and refurbishing service will be on hand. There will be instant updates on shoe inventories through state of the art computer terminals.

And best of all, there will be wonderful, exquisite, beautiful shoes everywhere.

I can hardly contain my excitement in anticipation!

Most Comfortable Walking Shoes of 2007

Hello there, you shoe-and-comfort lovers! The suspense is over: Most-comfortable-shoes.com has finally revealed the top-5 picks for walking shoes for men and women for 2007. That’s right! These shoes are touted to ‘combine maximum anatomic support, stability and supreme comfort for walkers of all ages’. I bet you could stand behind that! The list is topped by an undeniably fugly but also uncontroversially supremely comfortable model, The Brooks Addiction Walker 2, available at Shoebuy for $88:

Followed by a Mephisto model–the All-rounder Niro:

These are slightly more palatable, not to mention available in a large variety of color combinations. They’re $152 at Zappos.

See the whole list here.  

Green delight

Ok, so I am in LOVE with these Fiorentini Baker wedges (I know. Wedges. They’re not going away, ok? Get used to it!). Soft nappa leatherin a fresh shade of green meshes with a graphic floral print on canvas, extended in a coquettish bow on the vamp. Although they’re rather high (4 inches), something tells me they’re quite comfortable–just look at that cork platform! The price is very attractive, too: just $78 on Yoox .

Manolo Blahnik Golden Leaf thongs

Summer’s not kidding around: it’s already 90 degrees out here, and counting. Everybody talks about the shore, barbecues, or swimming pools. Frocks have gone strapless or hanging perilously onto the thinnest of spaghetti straps, and big black shades are sported liberally.

In this case, in an ideal world, your footwear should look something like this:

These Manolo Blahnik gold leaf flat thongs are sheer delight–pretty, feminine, sophisticated yet casual and comfortable. It’s like your personal golden laurel wreath for your feet! Wear them with something white and gauzy, or something turquoise, or really, with anything. $595 at Neiman Marcus.