The July issue of Harper’s Bazaar presents among others the hottest, ‘most desired’ shoes and bags. Although I was dismayed to find out that, yet again, the woman of 2007 and beyond favors the drama of torturous heels over the serenity of chic comfort (wasn’t Coco Chanel who said that comfort is the greatest luxury, or something to that effect?)–I couldn’t help but admire the fiery beautyof some of this fall’s trends.

It seems that we’re in for a fall of sultry, scrumptious satin, gleaming quietly in gem-hues of peridot and citrine, sapphire and quartz, amethyst and amber. Vertiginous semi-hidden platforms are subtly emphasized in coordinating hues, heels are sculptural, and each shoe offers a bounty of shades arranged in elongated graphic patterns.

Here are some of these coveted and perilous wonders: a Nina Ricci platform for $790:

More fabulous shoes below the fold: Read the rest of this entry »

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This shoe seems to be the go-to choice for calendar and shoe history book illustrations everywhere. I get why. It’s so much fun to look at. And when you think that it comes from 1938 and looks like it could have been on the feet of any 1970s Studio 54 dancer, its forward-thinking style is that much more impressive. This is one of the earliest platform shoes ever made, by the incomparable Salvatore Ferragamo, who is credited with ”inventing” the platform shoe, and it lives at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. Elton John must drool over this one.

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Let’s return to our regular schedule of Friday Shoe History Corner with this famous pair of Ferragamo heels made for Marilyn Monroe in the 50s (I think the pair sold for over $40,000 at an auction). Click here to see more of the 40 pairs Ferragamo designed for Marilyn Monroe. These stilettos covered in sparkling red stones are by far the most famous of the bunch. I would venture that far to say they are iconic.

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