The High Cost of Mid-Recession Shoes

In our last post on Saks’ Shoe Heaven, we waxed poetically and lovingly about the lovely summer sales going on. No more, dear shoeholics, no more.

Meet the man who would take away your sales.

What the heck does this midtown-lookin’ businessman have to do with my shoe addiction, you ask?

That ubernice-looking man is the President and Chief Merchandising Officer at Saks. He is the one who determines what is sold, and how long it stays on the shelf.

He wants Saks to become more competitive in a “challenged luxury segment,” so he’s “tweaking the product assortment to include more contemporary brands, ramping up exclusives, introducing private label and expanding elements of the 10022-SHOE salon concept across the chain.”

Love the idea of expanding the 10022-SHOE salon marketing concept across the world.

Love the idea of more exclusives.

Love the private label plan.

LOVE the idea of more contemporary brands…….

DON’T love the plan to stay away from the sort of intense discounts that the Saks salon had last fall!!!

According to Women’s Wear Daily’s just-published piece: “‘That was last fall,’ Frasch firmly stated, adding that the company has no intention of repeating the deep discounts this year.”

New York is the land of the rich. But even the rich folks I know have been bargain hunting like addled old ladies at the flea market. And whereas I used to be able to afford a $300 to $700 shoe once every few months, it’s out of the question now.

So if a middle-class consumer like yours truly can’t afford her $300 to $700 shoe a few times a year anymore, why can’t they keep offering a $175 shoe for me that I would actually buy instead of two pairs of low-to-medium quality shoes at Urban Outfitters?

WWD visited the 10022-SHOE salon recently and testified to zero discounted shoes.

My point of view on this is that people right now still want to feel like they’re getting a bargain because we’re still in a recession. So have a mix of very expensive for the rich to very rich, and keep drawing folks like me in with the quietly-discounted-in-the-corner and the seasonal sales.

Frasch wants to seek out more mid-range shoes.

“‘Prices definitely got out of control,’ Frasch said of the pre-recession world. ‘Now you have a pricing structure where there are shoes that are $795 or more, and shoes that are $195. Where are those designer shoes that are between $395 and $595?’”

Frasch also wants top designers to do more interesting, reasonable styles, and mentioned jelly sandals, but hoped for something more high end.

That sounds great. My thought on this is that we can use new sustainable materials, like a natural latex rubber or gum rubber for boots and quickly-growing bamboo for cushioning and covering interiors. That’s a big selling point. I don’t believe beauty has to be sacrificed. How about those great Chanel camellia rain boots? They could be low cost, high style, sustainable rubber and carry the designer name and make Saks proud.

Also, we’ve seen Zaha Hadid and Vivienne Westwood do some great things with low cost materials with Melissa Plastic Dreams. Isaac Mizraahi, as I will write about in my next post, is making shoes with what looks like leather but is sustainable salmon skin. In Barcelona, I saw a lot of plastic shoes that were very high design in boutiques. I’d prefer sustainable rubber or leather, but it’s nice to see affordable design. Though $365 online, both pairs were discounted below $100 at my local boutique.

Vivienne Westwood’s Anglomania shoes with Melissa Plastic Dreams. You can buy them here.

You can buy this other style of the VW’s here at Zappos for $154.

Zaha Hadid’s architectural shoes for $365, but look for deals in your local boutiques:

Well, Saks, we look forward to your private label. Like Barneys, that could be a wonderful thing. But please keep the discounts coming, especially at end of season! Don’t drive me away to all sample sales, DSW and online sales! I thought that with Fashion’s Night Out, the industry was leaning toward a more egalitarian, inclusive luxury market, an idea of high design for all.

I am devoted to Saks almost as much as I am to Barneys when it comes to department store giants (I rarely visit Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Lord & Taylor, and Bergdorf I only go to for inspiration since its windows are fantastic), but my suggestion is that Saks open up a co-op similar to Barneys’ Co-op. Younger, cheaper, hipper. It could be a small boite within each Saks, not even an entire building or store.

What do you think readers? Are you ready to go back to regularly or even occasionally buying $400 and higher shoes from your recessionista shopping habits?

A little shoe history courtesy of Christian Louboutin

Christian Louboutin has been busy branching out lately.  We’ve already seen his collection of handbags with red sole clasps and now Louboutin is dabbling in the champagne business.  In October, Christian Louboutin will launched his own champagne with champagne house Piper Heidsieck.  The limited edition “Le Rituel” box set is meant to revive an old ritual in the 1880s of drinking from the shoe of a woman. The crystal stiletto designed by Christian Louboutin will carry the signature red sole and is included in this limited edition gift box set.

No word on pricing, but it will be sold through Colette.

Update:  This will be available in the US starting October 19th.  Details on how to purchase this Louboutin collectible will be available on the www.le-rituel.com website.

Milan Spring 2010 Fashion Week: Platform Sandals

Earlier this year, André Leon Talley of Vogue was heard remarking that he was “over the mania of the high, high heel”.  On the Milan Spring 2010 runways, it’s really unapparent that designers took André’s word to heart.  The shoes were still soaring and high, abetted by one and two inch platforms.

Strappy Fendi Sandals for Spring 2010: My favorite part of these wraparound Fendi sandals were the rose-hued clear platform.

Gucci Spring 2010 Heels: Futuristic, sexy bondage heels appeared to be the theme on Gucci’s runway.

Versace Spring 2010 Fantasy Land Shoes: Donatella Versace’s Spring Collection was said to be inspired by the upcoming Alice in Wonderland movie from Tim Burton. This must explain the medley of playful polka dot, geometric, and pastel prints.

Gwyneth in Miu Miu Platforms

Gwyneth Paltrow went to an Adolfo Dominguez fashion show in Madrid earlier this month. I couldn’t find a good photo of her standing up to see the dress lines, but she is wearing inky blue suede Miu Miu platform pumps with blue tights.  I really like that look.  It is a refreshing change from all black.

The Miu Miu shoes are $675 at Bergdorf Goodman. Saks also carries them in black for the same price.  Gorgeous.

For a less expensive alternative for inky blue shoes:

Charles by Charles David Gazelle $112 at Zappos

Jessica Bennett Karley $84 at Zappos

These pumps are cushioned with footpetals.  They have reasonably good reviews.  rsvp Alissa $76 at Zappos

I am a little tired of seeing booties and dresses, but we are still seeing it on the red carpet, so celebrity stylists are still liking the look.  Stuart Weitzman Coverup $365 at Zappos

High-Heel-a-Thon in Leeds

Singer, Kimberly Walsh took part in Breast Cancer Haven’s High Heel-a-Thon, Sept, 27.   Around 300 people took to the streets of Leeds in stilettos of all shapes, sizes and colors.  The rules are that the participants – which included men as well as women – had to start and finish the 1.24-mile route around the Clarence Dock area of Leeds wearing their heels, but were allowed to take them off en-route if they were feeling the pinch. Those who took their shoes off were then castigated as sissies.  (Only kidding.)  Members of Leeds Chamber of Commerce took time out from their business to pose in heels and feather boas to help raise the profile of the event.

The singer agreed to become an ambassador for the charity after hearing about former dance teacher Deana Morgan’s battle with breast cancer in 2006.  Walsh, a pupil of Ms Morgan’s from the age of nine, attended the opening of the charity’s Haven, in Leeds, in October last year.  The charity is designed to provide care for more than 12,000 breast cancer patients and their families.

I am not sure when the idea of doing charity walks in heels started, but we are seeing this kind of thing crop up with regularity.