Spring 2011 Runway: Marc Jacob for Louis Vuitton

The Louis Vuitton SS2011 runway was a collage of Chinoiserie and African references – lots of beading, lush brocades, dimensional fur and fringe effects, all in vibrant color mixes.  And the shoes? Well, as usual, Marc Jacobs keeps things surprising and original.  But, while that helps to keep us from getting bored, it also often leaves me taking days or even weeks to decide if I like the shoes he is presenting in any given season.

On a positive note, the SS2011 Louis Vuitton shoes do not have me drawing back in horror as I did for the fuzzy-tasseled shoes Marc Jacobs created for last spring’s SS2010 LV collection.

These giraffe-heeled shoes were presented in a plethora of color combinations as well as a lower demi-wedge silhouette that  reminded me of these Casedei heels from a few seasons back.

And, if the giraffe-leg stiletto isn’t working for you, there were also chunkier tiger (zebra?)-striped heels as well as these fringe-beaded heels on view as well.  I’m not sure if I could find an occasion to wear them. But they certainly are exuberant and youthful.

Are these practical for most wardrobes? Perhaps not. But, they certainly are artful.

What do you think?

Photos via Vogue.com

More colorful sandals options for Spring 2010

So,  yesterday I was all about Georgina Goodman and her colorful and playful shoe offerings.

Today,  I just wanted to expand on that whole idea of spring colors. It’s not just Georgina Goodman who is producing colorful styles amid of sea of 2010 neutrals. Among these are Dsquared², Dolce & Gabbana, and Marc by Marc Jacobs.

Here are the top styles that caught my eye.

Dolce & Gabbana DS1847 E7218 sandal $975

Dolce & Gabbana DS1784 E7093 sandal $660-$664

Dolce & Gabbana DS1794 E7218 $409

Dsquared²  hiking sandal $596

Dsquared²  ‘Chiringuito’ pump $736

Marc by Marc Jacobs ‘Gommone’ platform wedge $495

As always, adding vibrant color or color-blocked accessories makes any more conservative outfit ‘Pop’….. Keep the rest simple if the shoes are speaking.

Styles like these are not for wallflowers or those unable to bask in the occasional, perfect,  moment of sheer fashion fabulousness.

Remember, everyone deserves to be fantastic every now & then.  Shoes like these are simply tools to help you find your inner diva and let her out.

Happy Birthday Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs will put 47 candles on his birthday cake today. 

Born in New York City, he seems to have had an interest in fashion and design at an early age.  He worked as a stockboy for Charivari at 15, attended High School of Art and Design, then Parson’s School of Design. Professionally he has won several awards.

When he was at Perry Ellis, he introduced a grunge line that was so completely different from what everyone else was doing, it eventually led to is dismissal.  Hired by Louis Vuitton in 1997, he brought Ready-to-Wear to the design house.  He also has his own Marc Jacobs and Marc by Marc Jacobs lines. 

Here are some Marc Jacobs shoes for you today.

Heeled Sandals $490 at YOOX

Marc by Marc Jacobs 605131 $230 at Endless

Marc by Marc Jacobs 605976 $495 at Zappos

To celebrate I will wear my kilt today.

YOOX Valentine’s Day Shoes

I know, I know.  Most of the men-folk who would actually benefit from a not-so-subtle guide to Valentine’s Day gifts for their shoe-loving sweeties are likely preoccupied by today’s big game. And yes, I know many women will be watching, too (the Superbowl, for those truly unaware few out there today).

But, I am making the effort nonetheless. Call it a public service. If the half-time ads are particularly unimpressive, at least you’ll have today’s online shoe-break covered. And, if you can get your sweetie to take a peek and perhaps start thinking shoes rather than roses and chocolate, I call that situation a shoe-diva win.

Luckily, the staff over at YOOX have gone out of their way to find every red, pink, purple, or heart-themed shoe currently offered at the site.

The majority of these, whether the subtle, heart-shaped peep-toe, or the not-so-subtle heart appliques, come to us from the creative mind of Marc Jacobs. However, please notice that both Gucci & Prada have at least one entry into this whole ‘Heart and Sole’ fantasy.

Is a statement shoe announcing “Happy Valentine’s Day” to the world with every flashy step the shoe for you?

Inspired by Marc Jacobs: Lace-up openwork boots

Some of you may remember that back during the Spring 2009 runway shows I developed a bit of a crush on these Marc by Marc Jacobs openwork granny boots. Something about them just clicked for me.

Marc by Marc Jacobs ’693556′ lace-up sandal $384.97 at Amazon, $412.46 $549.95 at Endless.

Marc by Marc Jacobs ’693185′ lace-up bootie $197.98-$495 at Amazon & Endless (depending on size/color combo)

Now, I have theoretically had time to gain some little bit of emotional distance from these shoes. After all, the Spring 2009 MBMJ runway show was over a year ago.  Alas, granny-boot lover that I am, these have not lost any of their hold on me.  Unfortunately, finding a way to actually purchase a pair of these will involve the moon and stars coming into the correct alignment along with positive shopping signs and portents evidencing themselves in my favor ….. or perhaps just continued careful budgeting, having good luck hold out on issues like car and home maintenance expenses, and a hoping that a size 7 1/2 will remain in stock until I can honestly say ‘this is the pay period it can happen’.

However, if my budget remains tight enough that the MBMJ’s remain an impractical splurge, I will keep the following shoes in mind as acceptable, affordable alternatives.

First we have these hardcore knock-offs from Type Z:

Type Z ‘Ritchie’ pump $81.50 $95 at Zappos.

No challenge figuring out where the inspiration for these came from…….

There are also some less literal (copied) interpretations of the openwork style that are also very cute. And, if they go on super-sale, they could become near-irresistible.

These ones are my favorite of the bunch…they are seriously vying to knock my MBMJ crush down to a number two slot. How fickle is my shoe love now?

Linea Paolo ‘Vie’ $86.90 $129.95 at Nordstrom.

I am totally digging on these and they are on equal crush footing for me on a strictly visual basis. They do have the MBMJ’s totally whipped on price, though, to this involuntary penny-pincher.

(If you like these but are not on a budget like me, you might also like these Cynthia Vincent ‘Maddox‘ sandals over at Endless.)

Other contenders for my attention are styles by Stuart Weitzman, Pour La Victoire, Dolce Vita, Type Z, and Elizabeth & James. But, I’m still liking the Nordies and original MBMJ’s the best … so, I will probably not be bookmarking these others.

Anyway, I suppose I will just have watch the sales – and also my budget…nothing new there.