Nicholas Kirkwood Springs to Life

The weather outside couldn’t get any drearier, but Nicholas Kirkwood’s spring line instantly breathed some life into this shoe blogger’s life.  The spring 2012 footwear collection is said to be inspired by florals and tropics from Kirkwood’s trip to Bali.  While this is certainly a 180 degrees departure from his sexy, fierce style of past collections and collaborations, these botanical beauties are pieces I’d love to see growing in my closet.

Left: Nicholas Kirkwood Leaf Pump Preorder for $925 at Nordstroms

Right: Nicholas Kirkwood Botanical Pump Preorder for $720 at Nordstroms

Nicholas Kirkwood for Peter Pilotto

Nicholas Kirkwood is definitely on my wish list of designers from whom I’d like to have at least one shoe – one fabulous shoe, of course – represented in my shoe collection.  Kirwood loves shape, color, and the juxtaposition of these elements into something fanciful and breath-taking.

So, here’s a chance to grab a stunning geometric shoe that references modern art elements in a playful – and wearable – way. (Think Piet Mondrian)

The following lovely creations are on sale at Saks. Woo Hoo!

Nicholas Kirkwood for Peter Pilotto Patent Leather and Printed Nylon sandals $596.99 $995

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Kirkwood Galore

Ok, I wanna hear everyone weigh in. What does everything think of the Kirkwoods coming out like shy, strange violets into the sun?

Now, I am a pretty big Kirkwood fan. But I’m gonna say this is a little different for Kirkwood. It doesn’t feel as sleek, but it’s definitely adventurous.

With a t-strap, it’s still got a bit of innocence. But the laser-cut, lace-covered wedge heel is the opposite of sweet and demure.

Here are the stats on height:

Silk and leather-covered wedge heel, 4¼” (110mm)
Covered platform, ¼” (5mm)
Compares to a 4″ heel (100mm)

That’s pretty high. I’ll have to see if I can walk in this one next time I visit Saks.

Peep Toe Wedge Sandals, $895, Saks.com

Runway to Retail: Nicholas Kirkwood for Erdam SS2011

I’ve been meaning to write about these for awhile.  Honestly, how could I not?

(Runway imagery via Style.com)

Nicholas Kirkwood is a shoe genius.  And when he does a collaboration, it’s almost always drool-worthy. On the runway, these shoes he designed for Erdem were simply breathtaking.

The overall Spring 2011 Erdem runway was full of ethereal laces, layered embroidery and vibrant swathes of vivid colors with blended, water-color effects.  Whether in youthful mini dresses or floating maxi dresses, the entire collection exuded femininity, movement, and elegant whimsy*.

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Nicholas Kirkwood Lace-Up Floral-Print Silk Ankle Boots

Nicholas Kirkwood Lace-Up Floral-Print Silk Ankle Boots

So. Nicholas Kirkwood. Brilliant. An artist as much as a designer, if not more so. You may have seen another version of the Lace-Up Floral-Print Silk Ankle Boots ($835.99 at Saks) he did for Erdem here before, but in a decidedly different design. This one is like a watercolor painting to me. I’ll follow that theme some more in a minute, but first let me just gush a little more. This man is seriously the cat’s pajamas, and I hope to see lots more of him in the future. The German born designer (hot – actually, he really is) is only 30 years old, and he’s already designed for many of the big names. In addition to Erdem, he’s designed for Ghost, Rodarte, John Rocha, and Pollini.

Nicholas Kirkwood has been praised for his architectural eye and his aesthetic, both of which are only getting better with time. (more…)