The Spirit of…Hallospleen?

I don’t know what’s come over me this Halloween, but I feel less Halloweeny and more…Hallospleeny. You know, in the sense that the French used “spleen,” particularly Baudelaire:

Spleen

Quand le ciel bas et lourd pèse comme un couvercle
Sur l’esprit gémissant en proie aux longs ennuis…
…

When the low, heavy sky weighs like a lid
On the groaning spirit, victim of long ennui…

Needless to say, donning a costume and going out partying seems like a faraway prospect right now. Where’s that Halloween candy? Give me some more.

But! If I needed some nice shoes to get me out of this funk, go out, and own the night, it would probably be these Roberto Cavalli burgundy metallic booties:

What would I go as? As someone who can walk in high heels, of course!

Happy HalloWEEN, everybody!

Roberto Cavalli for H&M

For fall 2007, Roberto Cavalli designed a collection exclusively for H&M with prices that can’t be beat (think $9.90 – $349 ). All of the items are, in keeping with Cavalli’ style, very sensual, flamboyant, and fun. Let’s have a look, shall we?

I love that these Cavalli for H&M shoes are in Cavalli’s signature leopard print and gold but I must admit that I was hoping for something more over-the-top, like these jeweled T-strap sandals.

No worries, the rest of the collection, including the accessories and as-seen on celebrity dresses are much more appealing.

Cavalli for H&M includes some very affordable accessories. My favorite is the serpent horn pin for $9.90.

Scarlett Johansson and Britney Spears both worn this stunning gold sequined dress from Cavalli’s Spring 2004 line. For a mere $249 (by Cavalli prices), you can also have it too. I wonder what the original went for.

Kate Hudson wore this shimmery dress from the Roberto Cavalli’s Fall 2005 collection to a movie premiere. It’s very similiar to the one that H&M is now offering.

I’m quite fond of the feminine ruffle dress and it’s sibling, the ruffled blouse. I have rather wide shoulders though and wonder if I could pull it off.

The loose animal printed silk dress looks quite comfy and looks like something JLO would wear now that she’s pregnant.

More lustworthy pieces online at Roberto Cavalli for H&M.

Passionate pursuit for the perfect purple pumps

The top of my fall shoe wishlist consists of a pair of purple pumps. While I would get more wear with black or brown boots, purple is such an appealing color.  For me, purple shoes can simultaneously be conservative, majestic, earthy, and romantic.  Depending on the shade of purple, the purple shoe can be worn to work or on a night at with your favorite girlfriends.

Some of my favorite purple pumps (including ones that are easy on the eyes but not for the feet) are:

Nina Fidelma Shoes  - $92 at Zappos.com

Carlos by Carlos Santana Iconic – Azul Purple Croco Patent $99.99 at Shoebuy.com

Charles David Purple Patent Jacey – $150 at Shoes.com

Christian Louboutin Gabine Purple Satin Slingbacks – $695 at Net-a-Porter

Roberto Cavalli Purple Iridescent Peep Toe – $650 at Nordstroms

Spring 2008 Milan Fashion Week: Revenge of Milan Fashion Week

The standout shoe creations continue in Milan. Again, I offer up prayers of thanks to the fashion gods (who would that be? Coco Chanel? Marie Antoinette? Oleg Cassini?) that the Italian shows are providing truly unique footwear for our amusement.

This multi-material geometric sky-high wedge showed up at both Alberta Ferretti (in a design I quite like)

and Roberto Cavalli (in a design I both love–that little metallic accent on the back of the heel and the buckle–and HATE–all the rest of the shoe).

Maurizio Pecoraro kept alive the gimp-enhanced shoe style that we saw yesterday from Alessandro dell’Acqua.

And Gucci brought a new color into play: bubblegum pink.

But also this shoe, which, taken out of the context of runway fashion, looks like something you’d order out of a hobble fetishist catalogue. That heel must be 6 inches high. Ouch!

Keep the interesting shoes coming, Italy!

Roberto Cavalli boots

The king of subtle he ain’t, but Cavalli sure knows how to make some attention-grabbing pieces:

In a refreshing twist, these Roberto Cavalli boots are flat AND made with ecological fur. The bold details will reveal that you’re marching to your own tune. The only thing that’s less refreshing is the price ($840 at Yoox).