How many of you remember the Dior/Galliano chain-link-and-leather, caged, ankle boots from last year?

Let me refresh your memory:

Well, for those of you who are looking for a (relatively) affordable alternative, Pelle Moda has once again positioned themselves as the ‘designer inspired alternative’ with this boot:

Pelle Moda ‘Karena’ in brown or black; $196.19-217.99 at Heels.com, endless.com, & Shoebungalow

(This was in the hotel boutique when I stayed in Las Vegas last month. Yes, I tried it on. Yes it is an eye-catcher. Yes, I did leave without making a purchase)

Much like the Prada-inspired Pelle Moda shoes that I showed you previously, these are near-knock-offs; with just enough details that are different from the original to keep these from being a 100% faithful copy.

Which do you prefer, the original or the copy?

I actually find that I prefer the copy; the heel is less fussy and allows the chain-link upper to take center stage.

What about you?

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No one does couture like Christian Dior.  He set his show in the Dior Headquarters on Avenue Montaigne.  This line was presented very much like the clothes were traditionally presented to press and clients in the 40’s and 50’s.     The clothes were reminiscent of 40s and 50s styles only with bright, sophistocated color. 

The difference was that the models were “half” dressed.

I would imagine real world clients will combine tops and skirts from these different outfits for real world wear.  I can’t wait to see how Charleze Theron wears this look on the Red Carpet.

Here are close ups of the shoes.    Note the sparkly hose. 

The embelishments,  make me think of old  girdle connectors.   I can’t tell you how many times I watched my mother squeeze into her girdle and hook her stockings with those little dealies.  

My favorite pair is below.

I love the hand work detail of couture.

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It’s springtime! To celebrate, Saks’ is offering a Spring Friends and Family Event.  The savings are pretty wonderful - receive 25% off all Saks’ merchandise, 20% off jewelry, 15% off cosmetics and fragrance. To receive the discount, use code SFAFAM9 at checkout and stack with code FAMSHIP9 to get free shipping with $200 purchase, too. Offer valid 4.14.09–4.19.09.

Now, there are a ton of brand exclusions,including Chanel, Balenciaga, Prada, Louboutin, Gucci, Alaia, YSL, Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Valentino, McQueen, just to name a few, okay a ton of the brands.   However, there is still enough brands that still quality for the discount so you can stock up on cosmetics, those Reva flats you’ve wanted for the past few seasons, or even these Dior sandals (yup, Dior handbags were excluded, but not the shoes)!

Dior Extreme Rock Mesh Sandal - originally $880; using F&F it’s $660. If the name sounds familiar, these are the cousin of the Dior Extreme sandals we saw on SJP during the SATC movie, just with a totally different upper.

Dior Riviera Sandals - originally $880; using F&F it’s $592

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While economic events have been a bit dreary over the past six months or so, it’s nice to see that we won’t have to worry about being stuck with spring shoe options that are either conservative or gloomy.  

So, what am I seeing at online retailers as well as in every brick-and-mortar store with a shoe section?

Color.

What kind of color? From Payless to Macy’s to Saks, just about every primary, prism-based color is on tempting display.

So, if you like bold colors, then this is the season for you.

Here are some (mostly) high-end highlights.

Red:

Christian Louboutin ‘Madame Claude’ D’orsay Pumps $795 at Saks.com

Valentino ‘Mena’ Day Wear Pumps $695 at Saks.com

BCBGMaxazria Patent and Rafia* Sandals $250 at Saks.com

Orange:

Dior ‘Klimt’ T-strap Sandal $570 at Saks.com

Miu Miu patent leather wedges $570 at Net-a-porter

Yellow:

Christian Louboutin Platform pumps $736 at Saks.com

Brian Atwood ‘Riva’ patent sandals $725 at Net-a-porter

Green:

Roberto Cavalli satin basketweave sandals $915 at Net-a-porter

Brian Atwood Suede Sandals $710 at Saks.com

Blue:

Christian Louboutin ‘New Simple’ pumps $675 at Saks.com

Oscar de la Renta V-Pieced open-toe platform pumps $755 at Saks.com 

Loeffler Randal ‘Graphic’ wood platform sandal $575 at Saks.com

Violet:

Miu Miu ‘Sandali’ cork* sandals $585 at Saks.com

Miu Miu suede pumps $495 at Saks.com

Costume National slingback flats $560 at Saks.com

What if you want to play with the whole rainbow instead of just choosing by the individual color?  Well, multi-hued styles are available too. Heck, many of us are just starting to experience 2009’s first rainy, spring-time weather; it’s as good a reason as any to bring your own rainbow to the party.

Nine West ‘Mudpie’ bamboo*-wrapped slide $88.95 at Endless.com

T.U.K Rainbow Heart Strap Heel $60.50 at Zappos.com

Jimmy Choo Open-Toe Sandals $825 at Saks.com

Brian Atwood ‘Margie’ rainbow sandals $565 at Saks.com

Sergio Rossi patchwork knee-high boots $1500 at Net-a-porter

Here’s to a colorful and optimistic spring.

* See, you really can’t get away from cork & rafia this year. 

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I always think it’s fitting that Paris Fashion Week is the one that rounds out the ready-to-wear collections.  Because they always live up to their reputation for fashion creativity, those French designers.

This year is no exception.

Most obviously, we’ve seen the insane 11 inch, heel-less (or functional heel-less) Nina Ricci shoes.  But the other designers have stood up and brought their A games.

Olivier Theyskens wasn’t the only one playing around with fetish footwear inspirations.  His Nina Ricci designs are clearly related to shoes like these:

But the A. F. Vandevorst shoes also seem to be taking a hoof-shod page from pony style fetish shoes.

The Anne Valérie Hash show brought us basket-weaving gone glam.

Rick Owens showed a parade of wild boots that sprouted voluminous bunches of fabric and leather, and that, to my great surprise, actually worked.  Like, to the point that I want a pair of these boots.

A couple designers thus far have shown us—gasp!—flats.  Yohji Yamamoto, whose footwear I can’t say I cared for one little bit…

… and Dai Fujiwara at Issey Miyake, whose footwear I’m more than a little bit in love with.

But does it come as any sort of surprise at all that my favorite shoes of Paris Fashion Week thus far belong to the Christian Dior show and the amazingly creative brain of the one and only Mr. John Galliano?  It really shouldn’t.  I think I always love his shoes best.  I think it’s in my contract somewhere.  My contract for existing.

But really, look at these lovely, ornate, fanciful things.  Look at the heel detailing and the strap detailing and the ties around the ankle and… well… let’s just say I won’t be breaking my Galliano pattern this season.

(Paris Fashion Week images from Elle.com and Style.com)

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