Balenciaga’s runway shoes always leave me with extreme feelings - I either love the shoes or hate them, it’s never a lukewarm reception.   To understand why, just have a look at this compilation shirt of 9 Balenciaga runway shoes.

Some of the shoes Nicolas Ghesquière sends down the runway are downright hideous, like that lego colored shoe that Beyonce seems to favor.  Others are sheer genius (love the bottom 4 futuristic shoes).  For the spring 2010 season, these Balenciaga soles were seen on the runway.  Can you guess which extreme I instantly veered toward?

Images: Elle.com

If you guessed two thumbs way way down, you were right.  They even make the lego shoes slightly more palatable.   I have no love for the striped,  peep toe booties which Ghesquière joked were, “like Play-Doh” nor did I feel any love for the hand-knitted ankle boots.  Excuse me for being practical, but aren’t spring runway shoes meant to be worn for warmer weather?  A mid length ankle boot like this will only make a petite woman like myself look even shorter.

So what do you think about Balenciaga’s spring 2010 shoes?  Am i way off base here?

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For Balenciaga shoe fans, artist Brian Lichtenberg has a perfect t-shirt for you.  This shirt features nine Balenciaga runway shoes, including the much derided ones sported by Beyonce’s Lego shoes and Jennifer Connelly’s dizzy black and white pumps.

The shirt is available online through Blood is the New Black, a store that seeks to promote the talents of emerging artists.  At $42 a shirt, the pricetag costs much less than a single pair of any of the Balenciaga heels featured and is probably more comfortable too.

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To temporarily interrupt our holiday shoe broadcasts, here’s a more regular blog topic - our shoe showdown.

Tory Burch, Victoria Beckham, and Taylor Momsen have all worn the Fall 2008 futuristic Balenciaga pointy pump during a night out (albeit with reversed colors compared to the runway version).  For this shoe showdown, which gal gets your vote for rocking this industrial statement piece and why?

My vote goes to Victoria Beckham.  These shoes are the focal point of the outfit and the remaining pieces need to stay simple and understated.  Tory’s top and Taylor’s dress just were too distracting for me.

Image from Style.com, Celebutopia.net

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I’m intrigued by strange beautiful shoes that speak to the illusion, the fantasy worlds that shoes can create, tiny little microcosms of shape, fabric, construction enshrouding your feet in mystery. Pierre Hardy is a designer who truly does that for me, going beyond pretty or elegant to bring attention to your gorgeous feet while also playing with hiding them, which isn’t that the most seductive?

I mean, what is this shoe, a reenactment of Where the Wild Things Are in shoe form or Monet’s Giverny garden topped by Basquiat’s crown? Pierre Hardy makes shoes that are the stuff of dreams.

And what is this, a ballpoint pen or a sleek black gun from a Bond film that can transform into a dagger, or is it an architectural sendup to Frank Gehry? Surely it’s not a shoe, because I can’t imagine that’s its only function.

This beauty speaks volumes to me, making me think of David Lynch’s film Blue Velvet instantaneously, and the soft-fabric-meets-hard-lines is a fantastic contrast.

I was a bit disappointed by Hardy’s shoes for the Gap, but it’s the Gap, so they were simple flats and platform sandals. I don’t know what I was expecting.

Someday, I swear I will own a pair of Nicolas Ghesquiere’s wild Balenciaga shoes, which sometimes reach that level of creating fantasy and strange shapes, especially in the case of the grey leather and rubber boot below. And I will learn to walk in them properly. My favorites from the previous season may someday be on sale online, but I’m not holding my breath since you seldom find them on sale. To look back at our post on wild Balenciaga shoes for Spring 2009, go here.

What are your favorite wild shoes? McQueen’s amber heeled high boots?

Marc Jacobs for Vuitton’s strangely attractive Native American feathered tasseled cutouts?

Scherer Gonzalez’ clear floral platforms?

Posh’s heelless Antonio boots?

Sometimes, I see the world through the lens of shoes, and that lens is definitely dreamy and rose-colored. But it’s just that great shoes transport you to another world where things aren’t so black and white! I’m on the lookout for the next impractically beautiful Pierre Hardy!

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Ok, so some of you may know that I have like a million jobs. Really. Just ask me. At any rate, one of the glitzier ones is that of production assistant for a fashion production company. And by glitzy I mean that average tasks involve being on set during photoshoots and running out to pick up whatever the photographer or stylist might need. Most memorably, I have been sent to fetch body-length human hair and fake boobs (called “chicken cutlets” if ya’ll wanna learn a little industry speak.

But I digress. I recently worked at a photo shoot for a very high end hair and makeup brand. I will not divulge their name because I am really not sure if I am supposed to. But for you clever folk out there it translates to ”Real Gold” from the French. This particular client hires stylists who bring in really incredible stuff. It’s so cutting edge, I get paper cuts (da dum chhhhssss).

 To demonstrate my point, a tableau:

Take a breath now:

YSL, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Louboutin, Louboutin, Louboutin, Givenchy, Louboutin, Balenciaga

Light headed yet?

I did a little research in case any of feel like spending your life savings on a piece of fashion gold.

 Shoe Beauty #1

These are my absolute favorite. If you want to take the plunge, these would be the ones to do it for. I was trying to figure out how to cram these suckers into my tiny clutch or under my blouse. There was much self-recrimination for not being into the whole peasant blouse, tons-of-excess-fabric thing. Behold the grail.

These are the YSL High Heel Lace Up Sandals with Jeweled Medallion in Black Patent. They are a whopping $895 dollars on ysl.com even now as the wintry winds begin the blow down Broadway. But so what. They. Are. Gorgeous.

Shoe Beauty #2

These Balenciaga Gladiator Sandals are obviously not available. The Sex and the City gladiator rampage of ‘08 wiped the Internet clean of these highly coveted critters.

However, because I aim to help the readers who are looking to cash in on the end-of summer sales, here is a stand-in which is significantly cheaper that the 600+ price tag on the original. These Vaneli Gladiator Sandals are much cheaper at the low, low price of only 88.79.

Shoe Beauty #3

Pretty, pretty Balenciaga. How I love how you shine through the dark of the night. You add luster to my evening. Unfortunately, these are also no longer available and I couldn’t find a worthy substitute, but I will give you a close-up for contemplation.

 Shoe Beauties #4, #5, #6, and #7

These assorted black pumps are the collective Little Black Dress of the shoe world.

Pictured here is the Christian Louboutin hidden platform pump, $700 courtesy of Neimanmarcus.com. I just think that when you wear these you can’t help but feel beautiful, sophisticated, glamorous, and all those other words that the fashion mags list under the stuff they want to sell you.

Shoe Beauties #8 and #9

Booties are kind of my new thing. The first year that they entered the world of trends I disdained them, looking down on them as underdeveloped boots or overdeveloped heels. However, I have reassessed the situation and realized that they are most excellent.

Shiny, Louboutin booties are an excellent way to get my thinking on track.

And the less shiny Balenciaga version keeps me on the wagon.

Though I couldn’t find either of these. I found this Balenciaga stand-in. They really look very little like either of them, but what’s another shoe to lust after among friends?

They are on sale at overstock.com for 569.99, still pricey, but an excellent discount from the original price of 1195.00.

The weird looks the stylist gave me as I crouched around the shoes shooting photos were totally worth it.

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