Spring 2009′s Perilous Platforms

Given recent runway tendencies toward ever-tottering shoe heights (the Spring 2009 Runway was notorious for having shoes styles that were positively dangerous to models’ walking health), it should come as no surprise that platform shoes are making a serious play for your Spring.Summer 2009 shoe-dollar.

This ‘higher the better’ silhouette on women’s heels is anything but subtle this season.  And, if you want to fly with the angels, several of this season designer offerings are about as close as you will get while still technically keeping your feet on the ground.

Let’s begin with the now-infamous ankle-breakers from Prada – and possibly the most dangerous shoes on the Spring 2009 Runways. I highly recommend avoiding the slipper-socks that turned these into dangerous devices of runway torture.

Prada platforms on the left are on sale at Saks for $482. The Prada Whipsnake slingbanks go for $695.

Next we have Prada’s near-cousin, Miu Miu; with an added nod to one of this season’s textural details – Bamboo.

Now we come to Yves St. Laurent. Well, given the incredible popularity of the YSL Tribute platforms, the Tribtoo’s are pretty much a gimme in the platform category. Plus, they have such a clean and elegant line, how can you go wrong? But, if you want something more trendy, YSL’s  got you covered there as well with gladiators, strappy sandals and caged styles.

And, of course, I would never forget Msr. Louboutin. I would certainly be remiss if I didn’t include a selection from shoe-dom’s current golden boy and purveyor footwear both feminine and fetish-inspired: Not single. Not double. Yes, it’s true, these are triple-platform pumps.

Can I get a Hoo-Rah!

But, lately, I can’t seem to stop ogling offerings from Guiseppe Zanotti. These are definitely not in my immediate future shoe-budget, and I’m not sold on the yellow buckle detail – Oh, and there’s that whole silly little issue of walking on a 1.5-inch heel *eek* to consider.  But, oh, that middle shoe is so pretty! (My weakness for oxfords is definitely showing here.  Unfortunately, my ankles are wobbling just looking at these)

This is just a small sampling of the many everyday-extreme platforms available this year.  Every time I turn around, there are more offerings – from high-end indulgences to more affordable (think Betsey Johnson & Jessica Simpson) splurges.

I believe that the shortest platforms shown here are 3/4 inches. Many of theses are actually closer to a 1.25 inch or greater lift under the toe; making these styles suitable for experienced heel wearers only.

These bring to mind a statement I encountered last fall, but whose original source I cannot recall (Paraphrased from memory):

“If models, trained to walk in such (exaggerated) heels, are unable to do so, what hope is there for us mere mortals?”

Saks Sales Highlights

Saks 5th Avenue continues to put new items on sale over at their website.

Among the items available today are:

Yves St. Laurent Y-strap Patent sandal $311.90 $780.

Certainly, this style is not as universal at the Tribute and Tribute Two, but for those of you that like this funkier interpretation of their platform style, the price really is fantastic.

Gucci Newton High Heel Sandal $295.90 $740.

This two-tone is a lovely, classic style that will be wearable for years.

Dior Whisper T-Strap Sandals $267.90 $670. 

Imagine this with your perfect little black dress… wonderful.

So many sales these days, sigh.

Yves Saint Laurent Style

Yves Saint Laurent knew a clean, classic silhouette and a clean, classic shoe. He knew funky too, of course, he just knew when to be simple.

I went to the YSL exhibit at the de Young Museum this week and nearly had to close my eyes as a brief respite from the overwhelming visual feast. This is the only stop in the U.S., so if you can, please go to the de Young for this fantastic exhibit.

Of course, I was on the lookout for the best shoes at the exhibit. This 1992 silk cocktail dress with its teaspot earrings and black and white crepe shoes was a stunner. I soaked in the negative space of the shoes as much as possible, getting close and letting myself feel sucked in by the white ovals. How can the whole outfit be so loud and yet so elegant, and the shoes be so quiet and yet so fun (and almost teasing, playful, funny)?

Now that over-the-knee boots are back, wouldn’t you like to just traipse around like a woodland hunter-sprite in these thigh boots?

Or how about going completely fearless in these fire engines, matched with a dark magenta, no less?

You could go for this eskimo look with the cordon-wrapped boots while you polish off that tuna nicoise with the ladies who lunch in the Arctic.

In 1965, Vivier’s Pilgrim pumps were paired with YSL’s Mondrian dresses. A fantastic match of geometry.

Most of the YSL shoes in the exhibit were black patent leather, and went incredibly sexily with the YSL tuxedo. (I wish I had photos of them). I love his masculine silhouettes and the strongly feminine, rounded square-toed black patent leather shoes he paired with them. Hamish Bowles said Yves had “impeccable understatement and startling modernity.” This is true, and is so evident in his scores of well-tailored black separates. But the man also put a woman in a matador outfit and heels, a jini in a lamp gold lame gown with leather and rhinestone pumps  – why couldn’t he have lived forever to have outfitted the 22nd century woman?

You changed the way women entering the workforce in the 60s dress by offering them pants. You paved the way for the existence of style rebels like Nan Kempner, who, when rejected from a restaurant for wearing one of your pantsuits, simply unzipped the pants and wore her tunic as a minidress.

“Nothing is so beautiful on a woman as the arms of a man she loves. But not all women are so blessed. Those women have me.”

Here’s to you, Yves, and your shoes, classic, refined and thoroughly modern at the same time.

Run, Don’t Walk, to Bluefly.com! SALE

Shoe lovers! Today is the ONE-DAY ONLY up-to-60% off shoe sale on bluefly.com! There are some truly amazing deals!

Want winter shoes? There are boots galore. Here are some examples:

Rafe “‘Galata Simpson” Boots, $475, reduced to $172.70!

KORS by Michael Kors “Loony” Boots, $360, reduced $194.40!

The holiday season is rapidly approaching and who doesn’t want to look awesome at the assorted holiday parties and get-togethers the will most certainly ensue?

Rafe Gold Metallic Flats, $235, reduced to $95.39!

Charles David “Kailey” Sandals, $250, reduced to $115.42!

Stuart Weitzman “Oboe” Sandals, $285, $131.56!

YSL “Kelly” Sandal, $525, reduced to $378!

And many, many more. There are nearly 2000 pairs of shoes that are covered in the sale. Go! Go now! Remember it is TODAY, Nov.10th only. And if you find something spectacular, come back and tell us.

Olsen Mania

On Tuesday, the Olsen twins did a signing for their new coffee table book, Influence, at the Barnes and Noble in Union Square. To hand it to B&N, more than 2000 people showed up in hopes of getting their moment with O squared, and the corporate bookseller did a good job of keeping the mayhem in check. They did less well with the outside mayhem which involved members of PETA wearing “Trollsen” masks and carrying signs to protest the Olsens’ use of fur in their clothing lines, The Row and Elizabeth & James.

The event was huge! There were tons of people and a full-on media pit in front of the desk where the twins did their signing, In order to attend said book signing, you had to follow a very strict list of rules that included a “buy the book or you don’t go upstairs” clause and a definite ”no photos” clause. They were seriously kicking people out for using their camera phones. So, in order to make sure I had something to report on, I kept my camera in check and have pulled a very nice image from the Internet. Though the girls did not read from their book or take questions, they were very nice as each person approached, trembling, book in hand. (And to be quite honest, my ears are still ringing a bit from the screams that erupted when the ladies first took the stage. Think *NSync concert in a high school gym circa 2000). Each fan placed their grail in front of the ladies of the hour and received a smile and signature that will last forever in the heart of each teenage girl and rampant celebritista.

But what were the famed twins wearing on their feet?

 
(Photo courtesy Getty Images)

Well, honestly I don’t know exactly what these are. They are comparatively simple for the ladies in question, but crazy high. These ladies are teeny-tiny little-bitty creatures in real-life, so I get the insane heels, but Damn! they must be tough to walk in. The Hollywood types must take promenading lessons with Victoria “Her Stiletto-ness” Beckham. Cute cute cute. I have some guesses as to the make and model.

Option 1. They are the aforementioned Christian Louboutin Hidden Platform pumps described in my earlier ”Hard Days Work” post. OK, obviously they are not, but the Olsens describe good ‘ol CL as a close personal friend that they see on a regular basis in their book, so this would be a reasonable guess. Obviously, there is an obvious lack of a red sole on the Olsens’ version, so I guess it’s close, but no cigar with this one.

Option 2: They are the YSL Trib Two Platform Pump. These are appropriately sky-high, have a perfect pedigree (YSL is the dog and pony show champion of the fashion world) and current season. See Saks Fifth Avenue ($795). This is certainly a better guess and almost certainly correct.

Overall the event was worth attending and the book is…interesting. There are photos of the twins through the ages (cute babies in the Full House years) and some fascinating interviews with people I have idolized for a long time. My favorites are Diane Von Furstenberg whose clothing and fabrics are beautiful and Karl Lagerfeld who is crazily fascinating in everything he does. His interview is no exception.

I will leave you with a final image:

With love,
Mary-Kate and Ashley