Next fall, Christian Louboutin will be introducing 8″ inch platform shoes to adoring fans around the world. According to Louboutin, “I hear they can be painful but women keep asking for them.”

Even Manolo Blahnik, of SATC fame, is designing heels in the upper stratosphere. While most of his heels stand tall at the 3-4″ inch mark, reports are that Blahnik’s 6″ inch heels, which were newly introduced this year, already make up 30% of his business (Note: I’m somewhat doubtful of this. I cannot find ANY 6 inch Manolos on Saks and Neimans and I suspect these two department stores account for much of his sales).

Now, I have a hard time walking in shoes with 3+ inch heels and maybe 4 inchers if the shoes sit on a platform. When I do wear high heels, I am not hiking great distances as I’m trying to look good, not run a marathon. I’m willing to endure for the sake of beauty and fashion. But, these ridiculous heel heights are where I draw the line. I will not risk an embarrassing fall, endanger my body, or wear something so utterly impractical, even if it will make me stand as tall as a model.

Readers, let me ask you. Would you wear 8 inch stilettos? Or have you also seen the peak of shoe heights and, like the stock market, think what goes up will come down too? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Before you weigh in, for a little perspective and visualization purposes, these stunning and sexy Louboutin Altadama Pumps ($995 at Saks) in exotic watersnake have 5 1/4″ heels.

And all my shoe sympathies go out to this poor model who fell not just once but twice (make sure you catch the end of the video) in a span of 24 seconds.

Sources: WSJ and TheAustralian

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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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Galligator said it all.  Project Runway 5 (that “chance of a lifetime” for one lucky designer) is over and done.  And with a bang at the end there, too.  All three final collections were beautiful.

Kenley’s was full of color and spirit (though my fave was this sleek black number),

Korto’s was a sea of gorgeous color and sumptuous fabrics,

and my girl Leanne is a winner with her architectural, pinpoint-perfect soft waves (the aqua colors were mighty purty, but this taupe outfit was my favorite).

No, the shoes were not all Bluefly, so I can’t point you to places to buy them (though there were indeed some great shoes strutting down the catwalk).

But what I can do is even better… point you to a place where you can buy the actual looks themselves.

Yes, folks, this is a site that auctions the PR looks to the highest bidder.  So if you’re dying to have one of those looks for you (if you’re tiny), or just for the historical import of it, then check out the bids.

There’s also a link to the video of the “decoy designers” who also showed at Fashion Week (Jerell, Joe, and Suede).

If you’re in denial that the season’s over, and you’d like to keep scouring Bluefly, they’ve put up a page of “Runway Classics,” which, as far as I can tell (at least as far as the shoes are concerned), are mostly shoes that look vaguely like they could have been on the runway, but never actually were.

Still, there are some beauts there, my favorite being the Louboutin “Let’s Go” d’orsay.

Worthy of the runway, no doubt about it.

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My dear and darling Shoeblog readers!

How I have missed you!

I have been involved in preparing for and then accomplishing a move from New York to London, and I’ve been at the mercy of a million things to do, spotty internet access, and a jam-packed schedule.

But I’m back now.  Settled into my place in London and ready to resume shoe coverage from this side of the Atlantic.

What better post to start with for this inaugural post from the land of tea and crumpets than a comparison of the fantabulous shoes in the windows of two retail giants: Saks Fifth Avenue in NYC and Harvey Nichols in London Town.

Saks, before I left, was displaying a neat little thing.  The results of this charity project.  Yes, every Wizard of Oz lover’s dream: designer versions of Dorothy’s fabulous ruby slippers (incidentally, the subject of my very first ever Shoeblog post).

Here are a few snaps from the super clever window displays out on the street.

The other designers’ efforts were in glass cases on the shoe floor upstairs, but the star of the show was this pair of alternate ruby slippers that were screen-tested, but never made it into the film.

Pretty glam, no?

What a lovely farewell to the shoe world of New York.

And one transatlantic flight and a lot of running around later, here’s a welcome to the shoe world of London.  And it’s for sure nothing to scoff at.

Because the windows of London fashion mecca, Harvey Nichols, are also brim-full of gorgeous designer footwear.  To wit:

Pretty fab, right?

And then, around the corner in the windows on Knightsbridge were these GORGEOUS Louboutins:

All that blue and black feathery divine frou frou business had me at hello, as they say.

Oh, and before I forget, the Chanel store down the street had a familiar pair of pocket pumps prominently put forward.

And so, welcome to Shoeblog’s bi-continental era.  Stay tuned for more glam shoes from London.

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Oh, Phillip Lim, how I love thee! Your creations have structure in a trapeze dress and boho blouse-filled world. You make stunning silhouettes that make me feel beautiful and for that I adore you. This fashion week, however, your footwear might have outshone your Ready-to-Wear just a tad.

Lim’s Spanish-inspired collection was certainly beautiful. It had all the touches that his fans (me!) love. They looked easy to wear and had lovely embellishments that set them apart. But it was the shoes the really rocked the runway!

 Enter the master: Christian Louboutin.

Their were 32 pair of Louboutins in Lim’s show. Most were made from snakeskin, though there were a few metallics and some suede as well. The most dominant feature adorning these babies were the perfectly placed rosettes. Now, I don’t usually like rosettes; I find them fussy and far too girly for comfort. But somehow Louboutin’s magic touch transforms them into something romantic, modern, and utterly covetable. Furthermore, flats on the runway are not usually very successful in my book, but these are wonderful. I want one in every color and style. My favorites (below) are the black and white snakeskin flats and the gorgeous red platform heels!

 See for yourself:

Backstage:

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