Gucci Spring 2011 Shoes

For Gucci Spring 2011, many have criticized Freida Giannini for having three different shows in one -  a tribal, a safari, and a Russian/Gypsy gone disco.   Her YSL references were so obvious that everyone pointed them out.  In a word,  the collection was incoherent.

The spring 2011 Gucci shoes were the same: incoherent and un-inspiring for me.   The cage shoes: nothing new, nothing exciting.  The velvet disco shoes: nothing new, nothing inspiring.   The boots: they are new, but nothing I would ever purchase.

In the 80s, Gucci had become so watered down by the style and quality of their product that they went nearly bankrupt.  Tom Ford arrived and essentially saved the design house.   Now that Mr. Ford is gone, I think they are headed back down that road.

What do you think?  Are all the critics, myself included, too harsh or spot on?

Happy Birthday Tom Ford!

Tom Ford will be celebrating his 49th  birthday today.  He was born August 27, 1961  in Austin, Texas.   His family moved quite a bit,  then when he was a young teenager they settled in Santa Fe, where his grandmother had a ranch.  (I am mildly curious where the ranch is because my parents also have a ranch in that area.)    He left Santa Fe after high school to graduate in architecture at Parsons.  One of his early jobs was a  press office  intern for Chloe, which cultivated an interest in fashion design.   He knew that if he was going to be a good designer, he needed to go to leave America and to to Europe. 

There is a story about him calling Cathy Hardwick every day for a month in hopes of landing a job. Eventually, she agreed to see him. Hardwick later recalled, “I had every intention of giving him no hope. I asked him who his favorite European designers were. He said, ‘Armani and Chanel.’ Months later I asked him why he said that, and he said, ‘Because you were wearing something Armani’. Is it any wonder he got the job?” Tom worked as a design assistant for Hardwick for two years. (more…)

DSW Launches Designer Shoe Luxury Event

Shoe lovers, get your mouse clicking fingers ready.  On August 19, DSW will be launching their Designer Shoe Warehouse Luxury Event at 15 of their store locations and online at DSW.com. Women’s and men’s shoes from a select group of amazing luxury designers (including Gucci) will be available for up to 50% off compared to prices ranges from $375 – $995. We are told the styles will only be available while supplies last, so timing is key!

Updated:  Here are the store locations which are holding the luxury shoe event:

1. DSW-Columbus-Dublin,OH
2. DSW-Oak Brook, IL
3. DSW-Bethesda, MD
4. DSW-Atl-Buckhead, GA
5. DSW-Columbus-Easton
6. DSW-Carle Place, NY
7. DSW-Miami, FL
8. DSW-Aventura, FL
9. DSW-San Francisco, CA
10. DSW-San Diego, CA
11. DSW-Dal-Preston Ctr, TX
12. DSW-Houston, TX
13. DSW-New York, NY (Union Square)
14. DSW-Dallas,TX
15. DSW-Costa Mesa, CA

It’s Summer, Put On Your Flip Flops

For me, summer means lots of time at the beach. Although I no longer live on California’s Central Coast, I still spend every moment I can in the sand, or at least dressing like I’m headed to the beach. While in Santa Cruz for the 4th of July I realized I need new flip flops! There are some great new designer sandals available this summer that are rather stylish. Pure luxury at the beach – I love it!

Valentino Couture Bow Jelly Sandals for $275 at Saks

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Gucci Brehat Ballet Flats

Say hello to the latest addition to my shoe collection.  She is called the Gucci Brehat ballet flat.  Here’s what I love about my Brehat.   She’s comfortable, has a very slight 1/4 inch heel to support my arches, is easy to pair with most of my casual outfits, and although there is a slight Gucci signature striping on the heel and GG logos on the fabric, they aren’t screaming Gucci to anyone that glances at the shoes.  The final point is key, I prefer not to be a walking advertisement to any company.  The best part about my Gucci Brehat flats? They were on sale at 60% off at Nordies which brought my purchase down to a little under $150.   The sole negative for me is that the upper material is fabric which means these shoes may get dirty and be difficult to clean.  The silver color should mask some of the dirt and I intend to take them to the cobbler to see if there is any special sealant/protection I should apply beforehand.

Gucci white GG coated ‘Brehat’ ballerina flats are $300 at BlueFly.com