Lara Bohinc’s Otherworldly Accessories

What to wear when you’re over the moon, walking around in your new Lara Bohinc Lunar heels?

Why, Lara Bohinc’s Eclipse jewelry set, of course.

Lunar Shoes, Python Snakeskin, Back Zip. Heel height 11 cm, 610 at BrittLintner.com

Solar Eclipse Necklace, £604 at TheClothesParlour.com

Solar Eclipse Bracelet, £405.00 at BrownsFashion.com

Today at Harrods, Celebrate the Shoe Salon Launch and Win Kurt Geiger Shoes!

Saks has its 10022-SHOE, so grand it merits its own zip code. Selfridges has its shoe galleries. Galleries Lafayette has its 34,500 square foot shoe department. We all know shoe salons are the highlight of many department stores. It was only a matter of time before Harrods updated its shoe offerings.

Join Vogue and Harrods today. Celebrate the shoe salon launch on Wednesday February 23 from 7:00-9:00pm. Whet your appetite for shoes with champagne and Ladurée macarons, while you shop from the newest collections from shoe designers including Lanvin, YSL, Choo, Louboutin and Zanotti. Vogue executive fashion editor Emily Zak be giving a talk on key trends.

You’ll receive an exclusive 20 percent off your shoe purchases when you join the Harrods rewards program.

Best of all, guests can enter to win seven pairs of Kurt Geiger shoes, including a bespoke pair customized by you!

To inquire about the event and attempt to secure a place (we make no guarantees), email polly.warrick@condenast.co.uk with your name, address, and telephone number. Good luck and wear your coolest, yet comfiest heels, because it’s time to shop!

Click here to see some of the new shoes from the Salon.

Hugo Boss … and Goat Leather!

So … as unappealing as it sounds, here we are again talking about goat leather. Last time I mentioned goat leather (ages ago) I was new to it and laughed a bit every time I thought of it, since it seemed ridiculous and we’ve been so conditioned to cow leather. Now that I’ve been looking at things like salmon skin paillards, it doesn’t seem so strange.

Now it’s just the lining bit that’s goat leather, and the rest is striped fabric and a calf leather outer. But the word on the street is that goat leather is softer than cow leather, so it would make sense to line the shoe with it. Also, goats are easier to raise than cows, eat less, and produce less waste. Even though they produce less leather, they can also be raised closer to cities, which makes shipping costs lower and increases proximity to production centers for speed purposes.

As production costs go up for shoes, I think we’re going to see more unconventional materials for shoes, as well as more creative uses of fabrics, which are cheaper. It might sound strange, looking at this shoe, to think that it contains so many differently sourced materials: goat, cow, sheep, jute and viscose. But in our world, where a hamburger can be made of meat from 3 different continents, I’m not as surprised anymore.

That being said, bravo to Boss for making an attractive shoe that is smartly sourced. It’s a comfy wedge, 3.5 inches, and perfect for the summer, especially if you’re not a fan of espadrilles. These would go well with your wide-leg navy pants for work, and your billowy white dress for the beachside lunch.

Hugo Boss, Boss Black line, Striped Strappy Wedge Sandal, $345 at HugoBoss.com

Louis Vuitton Ladies: To Monogram or Not to Monogram

I’ve always found that the LV lady is a certain kind of lady. She’s sophisticated, wealthy and might even travel with trunks! She’s not flash and cash new money. She’s usually a bit more traditional or mainstream, and not as into the cutting-edge shoes. Nothing wrong with that, as I like almost all shoes that aren’t monogrammed (they DO have monogrammed ones, both in the Damier style and the Monogram style). The LV shoes are pretty classic, and I like what they have going on.

I’d never carry an LV mag that was monogrammed. I just feel like they’re too easy to recognize. It’s like buying yourself into a cult.

That’s why I like the Sardegna, pictured below. The monogram is there, but it’s so subtle you hardly notice it. I’d actually like it better with no monogram at all, but for the design, I’ll take it.

Sardegna Wedge Pump in Monogram Vernis, $785 at LouisVuitton.com (click on E-Shop, Women, Shoes, Summer 2011)

What are your thoughts on monograms? Do you try to hide your brand names like a boho hipster, or are you out there in the open, a flaunting diva queen?

Spring 2011 Shoe Trends: Statement Wedges

Wedges are a seasonal favorite each spring.  Your typical cork or  rope-espadrille styles bring a casual, effortless, feel to almost any summer outfit.  But, while classic, your basic chunky, neutral-toned, wedges are not really bringing anything new to your outfit. Luckily, we have started to see shoe designers embrace varied wedge widths, swept-forward angles, layering, and more when it comes to adding fantastic and feminine details on their wedge-heeled offerings.  I am loving this.  After all, think of all of the potential artistic  real estate the wedge surface offers; why pass up the opportunity to take advantage of this oft-ignored area of the shoe’s design canvas?

So, while we have already shown you the season’s statement-wedge to beat all  statement wedges, there are still plenty of other fun, flirty, or outright glamorous options available to spice up either your weekend-casual or elegant-evening summer wardrobe (most of which will, incedentally, run you a whole lot less green than the oh-so-over-the-top McQueens at the above link).

These first wedges are these Lanvin Puzzle wedges. The neutral pump, in particular, can easily be dressed up or down for daytime or evening occasions. (Lanvin* puzzle wedges available at Nordstrom.com for $1120 (snake print) to $1280 (black or beige).

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