Runway to Retail: Valentino Lace Court Shoes

For those of you who loved the Valentino Spring 2010 ready-to-wear line – with it’s organic coral-shaped lace embellishments – when it first appeared on the runway last year, you are in luck.

The retail version of these black lace court shoes by Valentino is available now at Nieman Marcus:

However,  on the retail pricing issue, these hit a more negative note.

So, are these retailing for $1000, $2000, or even $3000?

Nay, I say.

These babies will run you a cool $4700 – plus shipping.

Ouch.

Are these pretty?

Yes.

Unique?

Certainly.

Are they nearly 5K worth of all that?

Not in this shoeblogger’s humble opinion.

What do you think?

Valentino Spring 2010 Couture

I have been waiting to see what my Valentino people would present for their Couture line.  I am sort of disappointed.  While there is a wonderful pair of boots and some unusual sandals, overall, there was nothing for me to say “Whoa, THAT is gorgeous.”

So here we go.  First the three tone sandal.  There were several color options, from bright pink and black to a silver/ gray /green color.  It is beautiful, but I didn’t get a close up of that shoe.

close ups of the pink sandal

Next is a wrapped bootie.

Close up

A yellow version, worn with lace.

I couldn’t find a close up of these sandals, but they are nothing different.  We have seen shoes like this many times before.

My favorite  formal length dress.

I realize that couture is all about the outfit, but the Valentino designers had such fun shoes and accessories in earlier shows, I was a bit disappointed.  I will get over it, I’m sure.

Valentino Red

Red has guts…. deep, strong, dramatic. A geranium red. A Goya red…

Women usually prefer to wear black at events because it makes them feel safe. However, if there’s one woman wearing red, she will inevitably be the eyecatcher of the evening. It’s as though the room is suddenly illuminated- simply perfect for a grand entrance.-Valentino

Valentino’s red is a mixture of 100% magenta, 100% yellow and 10% black on the CMYK color model. I remember when I was a kid and my parents owned a photo studio and development store (at the same time that they owned the shoe store!), and they were developing photos and balancing the colors, always trying to bring out the perfect Arizona red or ocean blue from people’s vacation photos. That perfect Valentino red is hard to find in a lipstick sometimes.

How breathtakingly gorgeous is this mannequin?

I felt convinced that it would come to life at any moment.

In honor of Valentino Red or as those lovely Italians might call it, rosso Valentino, I thought I’d share a couple favorites from Saks’ new arrivals.

The Valentino Couture Bow Slingbacks are $695.

The Valentino Side Bow Peep-Toe Pumps are $695.

Saks Designer Sale – Prices Up to 40% off

Hey all – Saks is having an ‘up to 40% off’ designer brands sale.

So, if you are in the market for a Christmas shopping splurge, now’s your chance.

This is just a sampling, there are pages of shoes on sale…I’m betting most of them, especially the selection of Louboutins, won’t last:

Top Row:

Christian Louboutin Ruched Ankle Boots $674.99 $965

Christian Louboutin Paolo Lace Boots $807.99 $1155

Christian Louboutin Metallic Open-Toe Booties $835.99 $1195

Row #2:

Christian Louboutin Lace-up Granny Boots $835.99 $1195

Maison Martin Margiela Demi Wedge Ankle Boots $485.99 $695

Brian Atwood Suede Platform Ankle Boots $520.99 $745

Row #3:

Givenchy Fur-Front Ankle Boots $804.99 $1150

Givenchy Wide Ankle Boot $905.99 $1295

Valentino Drape Open-Toe Ankle Boots $541.99 $775

Row #4:

Giuseppi Zanotti Zipper Ankle Boots $681.99 $975

Dolce and Gabbana Cutout Booties $384.99 $550

Dior Persia Ankle Boots $727.99 $1040

Valentino Spring RTW 2010

I am a Valentino girl.  I have to dress formal a few times a year and when I do, I always wish I had a pair of Valentino pumps to wear. I showed you their shoes during the Couture season.  Rhianna, incidentally, wore a pair in her Italian Vogue photoshoot.

Now it is time to look at their Ready to Wear 2010.  There is not a chunky platform in sight.

They always have a pair of flats that are just as beautiful as the heels.

If any one of my children were getting married next year (They better not), this is the pair of shoes I would want to wear as a mother of the bride/groom.  I could wear a burlap sack (as long as it is beige) and wouldn’t care.  With a fabulous pair of shoes like this, who needs more.

Love it.