I’ve Seen the Light…and it Shines!

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:

Fashion Week Marches On

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.

Name that Knock-off

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:

(more…)

More NY Fashion Week Spring 2009 Shoes

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.

Marc by Marc Jacobs: Down to Earth

In dramatic contrast to ever-more towering and vertiginous shoe styles that have become common on the catwalk (to the point of  model falls becoming a far too common occurrence), the Marc by Marc Jacobs show has a delightful mix of shorter heels and flats styles that have me excited for Spring to arrive early.

First, for those who love floral motifs, is a casual shoe that is as energetic as Spring itself:

Next up are several combinations of  lace-up Spring sandals and booties that have me eager with anticipation to find out which colors and styles will make it to retail sale; almost every color was represented on the runway.

The flat sandals below are a sweet and feminine alternative to the current and ubiquitous gladiator trend. I particularly love the second shoe with the slight wooden heel. This openwork bootie has a silhouette similar to the Chloe shoes that I so loved this Spring while achieving a much more airy, light and warm-weather appropriate feel. This bootie has fused the  granny boot and sandal in a good way; one that might even avoid the whole issue of overheated ankles.

Now, I also love the idea of making this lace-up granny sandal into a style that can also translate to Fall with addition of a closed-toe. This neatly avoids the awkwardness we are currently encountering with the wearing of tights with open-toed booties.

Even better, it comes in Flats:

Or in a slight stacked Heel:

[Photographs courtesy of Style.com]

I keep coming back to these last two booties; I love the neutral colors. With the closed toe, lace-up granny styling, and slightly curved organic heel, I know that I need to start saving my pennies. 

This may be trite, but this is the boot that I never knew I always wanted.