Saks Designer Sale – Prices Up to 40% off

Hey all – Saks is having an ‘up to 40% off’ designer brands sale.

So, if you are in the market for a Christmas shopping splurge, now’s your chance.

This is just a sampling, there are pages of shoes on sale…I’m betting most of them, especially the selection of Louboutins, won’t last:

Top Row:

Christian Louboutin Ruched Ankle Boots $674.99 $965

Christian Louboutin Paolo Lace Boots $807.99 $1155

Christian Louboutin Metallic Open-Toe Booties $835.99 $1195

Row #2:

Christian Louboutin Lace-up Granny Boots $835.99 $1195

Maison Martin Margiela Demi Wedge Ankle Boots $485.99 $695

Brian Atwood Suede Platform Ankle Boots $520.99 $745

Row #3:

Givenchy Fur-Front Ankle Boots $804.99 $1150

Givenchy Wide Ankle Boot $905.99 $1295

Valentino Drape Open-Toe Ankle Boots $541.99 $775

Row #4:

Giuseppi Zanotti Zipper Ankle Boots $681.99 $975

Dolce and Gabbana Cutout Booties $384.99 $550

Dior Persia Ankle Boots $727.99 $1040

Maison Martin Margiela SS2010 RTW

(All photos c/o Style.com & Vogue.uk)

Maison Martin Margiela’s spring 2010 Ready-to-wear runway show struck me primarily as experiential performance art. The idea of fashion itself felt at though it was more of an afterthought to the main artistic performance; a convenient subject matter and the runway an under-utilized performance venue. Judging from some of the reviews out there, response has been mixed at best.

Is it art? Assuredly.

Is it wearable…the truest test of a consumable such as fashion?  Perhaps.

The number of women who will actually spend money on such experimental fashions – particularly since they seem to be composed of papery fabrics and blocky styles is very limited.

The phrase that came to mind while I was browsing these images was ‘Retro-futuristic‘.  These styles are incredibly reminiscent of the various space-costumes seen in The Jetsons, 1950′s-60′s B-movies,  and the old Buck Rogers television show (Colonel Deering, anyone?).

As to the footwear, it was an attention-getting mix of baggy boots, the occasional basic pump, and legwarmers-cum-gaiters-cum-hip wader/chaps.  I have to wonder, where is our attention supposed to be here?  There is so much going on visually with each model; each look seems to have it’s own competition going on between outfit and accessories; only a few looks managed to succeed in being both interesting and balanced.

So, is this intriguing? Yes.

Wearable? Maybe, if some of it is scaled down a bit. Right now these are so conceptual and over-proportioned that most wearers will get completely lost among the garments & shoes. I’m a big believer that you should wear your clothing, your clothing shouldn’t ‘wear’ you.

Plus, I’ve done the baggy slouched boot before.  Boots that slouch past a certain point simply become physically irritating as they move around the leg and foot with a life of their own. There really is a point where a boot gets too baggy to practically wear.

Hillary Duff is ready to BBQ… in cork boots

Note for those who want to enjoy their 4th of July barbecuing in style:

1) Oversize scarf, check;

2) Oversize shades, check;

3) Oversize earrings, check;

4) Oversize baby-doll top, check;

5) Short shorts, check;

6) Fishnet stockings, check;

7) Williams-Sonoma Grilling Basics book, check;

8 ) Oversize GrillMaster Seasoning, check;

9) Blackberry, check;

10) Coffee, check.

Wait, there’s something missing, but I’m not sure what…Oh, right! The boots!

Maison Martin Margiela cork boots, $535 (down from $890) at Barney’s. Now, off you go grilling. Go on then!

(Hillary Duff photo courtesy of Celebutopia.net.)