Feeling some ‘Australia Love’

Ok, as a bit of a break from New York Fashion Week, here’s a quick peek at a package that was waiting for me on my doorstep this Saturday.

While, it wasn’t precisely a Valentine’s Day present, it was one heck of a large box. Delivery days are always exciting.

And, inside that box was another box:

And, inside that box, a dustbag & cute little bootie keychain:

Oh, and of course,  these:

Well, first impressions count. And, these certainly are pretty. The suede used for the majority of the upper plus the fur cuff material certainly seem to be of top quality. These also have rather nice attention to detail in the buckles, seams & rear-seam blanket?-stitching.

So, why am I sharing these with our readers today?

These boots are the Australia Love Collective ‘Tsar’, from the current collection; a shearling-lined ugg-styled boot that I will be reviewing for our readers: fit, comfort, the whole she-bang. I am currently in the process of wear-testing them – in spite of this week’s jump in local temperatures from the low 30′s (Fahrenheit) to the  mid-to-high 40′s. (I know, to some of you that is cold … but here, it’s a sure sign that spring is coming soon).  If all else fails, I will make sure to go out on some evening errands this weekend to test these babies out after the sun has set and the temperature falls accordingly.

Sidenote: These are no ‘Uggs’ brand uggs so that doesn’t stop some recognizeable celebrities from proudly wearing the Australia Love Collective brand like Kim Kardashian and Jessica Alba.

(Photos Via Australia Love Collective website)

Stay tuned for a complete fit and wear review.

Tragedies and Triumphs at the Tents for NY Fall 2009

If the shoes are anything to go by, there were apparently some highly suspect events going on at Bryant Park yesterday.

A tiger got loose at the Oscar de la Renta show and slashed the hell out of some unlucky model’s feet.

Michael Kors decided to use his fall 2009 collection to let the world know that he’s giving up American sportswear and moving into S&M gear.

And a serious case of repeated projectile vomiting was clearly had by some front-row inhabitant at the Richard Chai show.  I’m only offering one example of this embarrassing illness, but believe me, this was not an isolated incident.

But despite such heart-breaking occurrences, there were some pretties on display, too.

Oscar de la Renta and Doo.Ri joined ranks with Matthew Williamson to prove once and for all that heel zips will surely be forthcoming for fall.

OK, so that Doo.Ri one might not survive the deadly leather-eating virus eating away at it.  But if it manages to pull through with minimal scarring, the button-up spats that were also part of the line might help as a facelift.  You all know how much I love a spat.

And last, but certainly not least—in fact, I’d go completely the opposite direction and say that is the GREATEST—the Marchesa (sweet little booties with faceted heels) and 3.1 Phillip Lim (metallic trims and red soles) shows suggested we may be seeing more lace, which, in combination with the chunky platforms and mixed textures, is a playful and ladylike trend I can wholeheartedly get behind.

Note: In case the red soles look familiar, that is because Christian Louboutin continued his successful collaboration with 3.1 Phillip Lim for the fall 2009 collection.

A mixed bag of a day, but in the end I like to think the triumphs outweighed the tragedies of this round of fashion shows.

Messrs. L and B: Shoe Icons at Fashion Week

Though this fashion week’s shoes have been quite a bit less fanciful than those of yesteryear (or even just last season), some shoe icons are still participating in the scaled-down version of Fashion Week footwear.

Christian Louboutin remains the patron saint of high footwear. The man’s work is EVERYWHERE. At the fun and fanciful Barbie fashion show, the Divine Mr. L created human-size replicas of the iconic hot pink plastic stiletto heel that nearly every little girl slipped onto Barbie’s painfully pointed foot.

Here is a photo of the red-soled Barbie shoe with the dress that Carmen Mark Valvo designed for the collection. Update: These exclusive Louboutin for Barbie shoes are available now at LuisAviaAroma for $956.

These shoes were worn with some classic Barbie looks designed by various well-know folk. For example, DVF designed what looked like a day-to-night Barbie wrap dress and Bib Mackie did a very Cher-esque showgirl outfit set off by feathered eye makeup:

The Barbie show was fun and whimsical and the invitation specifically requested invitees to bring their daughter, niece, cousin, 4-year-old BFF, etc so the tent was full of glee.

Manolo Blahnik’s contribution to fashion week was much edgier. He collaborated with Band of Outsiders to create custom open-toed lace-up boots for their fall presentation. (Sounds like it wouldn’t work but it totally did). They could have starred in their own mini movie about a down-on-her luck fashion editor that has to take up boxing to support herself and the rhesus monkey that she adopted in hopes of making it her best friend or, in hard times, a coat. Instead, she takes up boxing (coached by the indomitable Clint Eastwood, of course) but can’t bring herself to put on the ugly boxing boots that come with the job so Band of Outsiders and Manolo come to her rescue. At he end of the saga, the viewer is left with many difficult questions like: Does the monkey get his own pair of mini boxing stilettos? Does the fashionista give up her new found career when Clint catches the Ebola virus from a very naughty monkey bite? How far is she willing to go to reach her dream of becoming the well-heeled boxing champion of the world? Would she, perish the thought, trade in Clint for Sylvester Stallone?

But I digress.

Anyway here are the shoes in question (photos courtesy of fashionista.com thanks to the poorly timed death of my camera battery):

And are you noting the cool contrasting toe tights? I love it. Manolo did an awesome job. And did I mention how clever Band of Outsiders’ presentation was? Rather than having models stand on pedestals that created and indoor-outdoor setting with old-fashioned lampposts for the models to lean against, park benches for them to sit on, telephone booths for them to feign calls in, and rope ladders for them to climb….toward the ceiling (perhaps it’s an allegory for reaching great fashion height? going to great lengths? reaching for the stars?)

Is cute, no? And who recognizes this model? I know that any of you watch some of the same embarassing television that I watch so I am betting the answer come right quick.

So to sum up: the Divine Mr. L and the Divine Mr. B contributed mightily to Fashion Week. Hurray for shoes!

NY Fashion Week: Things Are Looking Up

No, I don’t have exciting firsthand reports of the New York Fashion Week shows like Twinkletoes, but I have to say I’m plenty pleased by what the newest crop of shows has brought us.

So far, I’ve been kind of meh on the whole week, really.  But a couple designers brought their footwear A game yesterday, and I’m digging it.  Hugely.

First up, Cynthia Steffe.

OK, this is really me falling in love with one shoe.  But what a shoe it is.  And then, look at all the pretty color combinations!

Oooooo!

This is the way to recycle pre-existing trends (peep-toe, shoe-bootie styling, chunky ankle covering, metallic finishes) and make them fresh and new.  I seriously can’t decide which color I’d want if I were about to go traipse around the street in 5-6″ stilettos.  I’m drooling.  Unsexy puddles of drool adorn my desk right now.

So, to avoid drowning and/or short-circuiting my computer, I’ll turn to the other designer I want to showcase today.  And that’s Matthew Williamson.

Because here’s another example of making the shoes WORK their trends on the runway.

Fun colored soles?  Check.  Fabulous texture combinations?  Hell yes.  Heel detailing?  Look at those awesome zippers!  And how sexy and swooping the high backs are!

I have great love for these shoes.  Much great love.  And about time, too!

Christian Siriano Fall 2009 Sneak Peak

Christian Siriano isn’t presenting his Fall 2009 collection until Thursday,  but thanks to the folks at Payless Shoe Source, we have a special behind the scenes sneak peak at the Project Runway winner’s newest collection, including the fabulous shoes he’s designed for Payless.

The Christian Siriano collection is said to be inspired by the pyramids of Egypt and the colors of the desert. I’m left drooling to see the actual collection with these appetizing quotes from Christian:

…if i was a diva woman who was really fabulous and wore heels everyday, the whole collection is what i would want to wear.

..so i think shoes and handbags really complete anyone’s look. i really think, for us, we have this beautiful subdued color palette, lots of browns, lots of camels. It’s all the same but different textures and i think the shoes bring it to life …like they bring something new, a different texture, if it is patent, or it it has some shine,  i think it gives like more almost, it almost finishes the look so if you have a really simple gloss, a really simple shirt, and a really FABULOUS shoes it makes the look even better.