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.

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It’s no mystery that metallics mysteriously come into fashion every Spring. Each year, the fashion magazine report, with breathless admiration, how “New!” and “Exciting!” this ground-breaking trend is. Whatever people; we’re on to you. We knew it was coming, but that doesn’t make metallics any less fun. In the spirit of fun Spring trends, here are some of the fancier metallic footwear that is (or will soon be) available.

Marc Jacob Heart Heel, approx $638 (converted from British Pounds).

A more practical version is the Marc Jacobs Heart Ballerina, approx $475 (converted from Euros)

Nicholas Kirkwood Black and Gold Sandals, approx $787 (converted from GBP)

Remember these from Phillip Lim’s Spring collaboration with Christian Louboutin (we wrote about it!)? Well now you can get your own pair. Britney Spears already got hers (in the red, heeled version). She’s got them on in her video for “If You Seek Amy.” The people dressing her are really working hard these days. Check out the Christian Louboutin “Adona” Sandal, $1265 at Saks.

CL also shows us what would happen if a disco ball was reimagined as a shoe. The Very Galaxy Platform Pump is available at Saks for $1295.

Brian Atwood gives us a cool Gold Wedge Sandal ($1870, but only available on request).

Prada has a Christmas wrapping type lace up sandal.

Pierre Hardy gives us geometric sandals in both silver and gold. Available on www.pierrehardy.com.

And let’s not forget the shoes we saw on the runway at NY Fashion week 2009. These suckers won’t be available for a good long while and are oficial part of “Fall,” but designers this season seemed a bit confused about what is constitutes Spring and Fall, so bring them on.

I remember when I saw this armored gold bootie at the Karen Walker shoe, I nearly fell out of my seat. It’s even more gorgeous in person than it is in photos.

And Costello Tagliapietra’s models rocked the runway in these and these:

Johnathan Saunders shone when he showed these:

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Next up from Bryant Park… snoresville.

I can’t say as there was a single shoe that caught my eye from the Monday shows.  That’s just sad, is what that is.

Trends continue on, sure.  More oxford-styled platform peep-toes à la this one by Tracy Reese.

More color-blocking with chunky straps over the ankle and/or instep à la 

And more gray (see Tracy Reese again).

Marc Jacobs didn’t wow me (or even make much of an impression at all, really) with his 80s-hued clunkers.

And Carolina Herrera just looks like she’s making cheesy bad prom shoes or something last seen on the feet of a very unhappy bridesmaid.

*sigh*

Here’s hoping tomorrow’s crop is better.

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Test your knock-off knowledge here.

See if you can identify the manufacturers of the following shoe styles.

I’ll give you a hint.   

They are not: Marc Jacobs, YSL, Dior, Prada/Miu Miu, Gucci or Givenchy.

Check your answers at the bottom of the page.:

1.)

2.)

3.)

4.)

5.)

6.)

7.)

8.)

9.)

10.)

Answers Below:

Read the rest of this entry »

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Before we dive into London fashion week, I thought it might be fun to have a look at some of the more interesting shoes seen on NY Fashion Week Spring 2009. And since the Emmys is this weekend, I thought it might be fun to dish out some shoe awards while I was at it.

Quite possibly, this is the Most Accessoried Accessory seen on the runways. Following in the footsteps of shoe designers Blahnik and Louboutin (remember these fierce shoes?) who have produced shoes for Rodarte, Nicholas Kirkwood designed these very decked out shoes. They are so ostentatious, can you imagine the stares you’d get if you wore these on a night out with the gals? I can also imagine them appearing in a rap video shortly.

Apparently, though, Nicholas Kirkwood’s heels for Rodarte aren’t very walkable. They have have gained notoriety for receiving the Most Likely to Fall in these Shoes, because well, it actually happened (near minute 7:00). The model, Abbey Lee, seems to have escaped injury this time.

Most Ill-Fitting shoes goes to Matthew Willliamson. The pinky toe and the right middle toe are just clinging on to the platform for dear life.

Finally, my Favorite Shoe from NY were by Marc Jacobs. Normally, I am not a fan of ankle straps, but these are too delicious and I want them in all the prints - weave, red glitter, silver, leather, etc. I’m a fan of the dainty teardrop-ish heel (hopefully they are easy to walk in though) and the tongue-like curvature at the heel.

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