Last night, while I was drooling over shoes at Iron Man, the fashionistas and celebs were gathering for that hallowed night in the fashion calendar: The Met’s Costume Institute Gala.

This year’s theme (corresponding with the Costume Institute’s major show of the year) is Superheroes, and I couldn’t wait to check out how the attendees decked themselves out for this fun fun theme. And after perusing the pictures, I have to say that while there were some great outfits, it was really and truly the shoes that were the most interesting.

The dresses were nice and all, but lots of people tended to interpret Superheroes as being synonymous with Grecian Goddesses, which made for some pretty but uninspired sartorial choices.

The shoes, though? People went wild with their shoes, and I love it.

There was your typical crop of Louboutins, the best of which were the Spiderman-webbing-style blue pair on Diane von Furstenberg and the Rodita zip sandal on Dr. Lisa Airan.

Jimmy Choo was also well represented, particularly by Eva Amurri and Jessica Stam (though Eva’s got some seriously tight hair and some seriously squished boobs going on, and Jessica’s makeup job makes her look like she could use a few more hours sleep at night).

There were some old favorites that we’ve seen on past runways, like Anna Sui in boots from her Fall 08 collection and Vogue’s Valerie Boster in Spring 08 Balenciaga. While I’m not nuts about those shoes or that dress, I must say Valerie is working the shoes in a suitably superhero-ish way without losing the fashion.

You have your goddess sandal look, as exemplified prettily by Thandie Newton (though please try not to look too long at the frighteningly thin legs of the woman in the ugly bright pink tube going up the stairs behind her) and particularly by Barney’s Julie Gilhart, who has my favorite shoe of the night, as well as my favorite outfit, and the one I deem the best combo of superhero and chic.

There were some unexpected bursts of footwear color thanks to Katie Holmes and Tilda Swinton (who wore matching shoes with transgender performer Justin Bond, though hers are a much better color, I’d say).

Some people went for the unexpected like Kathryn Neale Shaffer in leather thigh-high boots with red flames at the tips (very cool, very superhero). And Monsieur Louboutin himself in black and white striped shoes, accessorized by a superheroic BANG on his lapel and a bizarrely Beauty and the Beast pair of Olsen twins who look like an elegant young woman and her frizzy-haired crone of a great-grandmother.

And last, but most certainly not least, there were patchwork shoes all over. The best were worn by Chiara Clemente and Kate Bosworth, and brought some pizazz to their feet, even though neither dress is anything to write home about.

Wait. No. On second look, I’m more than a little in love with Kate Bosworth’s dress. And her shoes. And her eye makeup. OK, well done, Kate.

And well done on the shoes, fashion fans. While I’m not overall that impressed by your superhero choices clothing-wise, your footwear can save the day any day.

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I must give credit to my aunt for introducing me to On Pedder. On Pedder, named after the street the first shop was opened on, is a high end accessories boutique located in several asian countries (when will they hit the US?). Bi-annually, they publish a magazine called Pedderzine which showcases the latest fashion accessories. The latest publication, by integrating nature with accessories, is simply far out.

A spoof of a Natural Geographic cover with Dries Van Noten sandals. By itself the sandals are flirty and girly. Against the gray city backdrop and on top of what might (for a novice like me) look like an oil rig, the shoes remind me of the rainbow of colors that oil leaves behind.

I’m terrified of bugs and reptiles, but have to make an exception here.

Spider, ewwwh. Repetto sandals that looks like spiders, ahhhh!

Alexander McQueen patent sandals. This is one moth I’d love to have in my closet.

Jimmy Choo Python Sandals as a bee.

A knee high version of the gladiator Givenchy sandals we blogged about earlier this week. The slinky effect reminds me of a serpent or black snake rearing its head.

And lest you think we only blog about shoes, there were also a ton of other noteworthy accessories that must be showcased. Including:

Golden Goose Leader handbag. Any entomologists reading the blog? I have no idea what bug this is, but it’s gruesome.

Wouldn’t it be great if all caterpillars morphed in python hoop earrings?

Or if cockroaches rocked these designer sunnies?

And last, these Chloe booties really do blend well as a part of the spinal cord.

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What’s its name? It was just on the tip of my tongue. I guest the gods of onomastics must not be with me today.

You know what I’m talking about:

They’re these new hybrids that fuse approximately 51 trends into one, which could be practical, you know: in one shoe, you hit all the new spring trends! Clockwise from the top:

- Christian Louboutin “Sometimes Lace-up Sandals”–4 1/2 inch heel, platform, and tassels, $860 at Saks;

- Jimmy Choo “Evita” sandal, $1000+ (see their website for more details);

- Manolo Blahnik heels-$900+–call their NY Store for availability;

- Nine West “Heathers”–which I’ve already blogged about–for a fraction of the price of any of the above (about $90).

I have the suspicion that none of these styles would look that good in a low/flat heel, and since wearing the 4″+ heels is out of the question for me, I’m afraid I’ll have to pass on this trend. Not without a pang of jealousy, though, for those of you who can trot merrily in these styles.

(Via NYT T-Magazine.)

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Do y’all Yoox? Well, you should–I find it a good resource of designer shoes (and clothing and accessories, in general) at discount prices. If you’re on the ball and catch them during one of their fabulous sales, you’ve hit the motherload (like the Sonia Rykiel low pumps I scored once for $30, thirty dollars, that’s right!).

You can still find some cuteness hidden in their sales section, but this time I’m attracted to some of the fabulous flats they propose in their new arrivals.

These Costume National suede elasticized flats are darling, and the purple version is yum($281):

Even better are these Sergio Rossi polka dot flats, $264. Who likes polka dots? Don’t be shy, let me have it? What was that? Aha! As I suspected, just about everybody!

The Alexander McQueen colorblock flats
are drop-dead gorgeous, but $698? Really? Le sigh.

A more humane price is demanded of these beautiful Jimmy Choo flats
, which have been on my “covet” list for a while, and now they’re $254:

If you’ve had a yellow obsession like yours truly, and think of tempering it with grey (beautiful combo!), I’d go for these–trendy and unusual, $257:

At the end of the day, here’s my hands-down winner at Yoox–provided I had the money: Obeline multi-hued peep-toe flats
, classy and delicate, a glorious example of understated chic, though the price tag of $345 makes me flinch:

Thanks for playing this edition of Fantasy Flats here at Shoeblog. Tell us all about your fantasy shoes in the forums!

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Most of the shops were beyond my budget, but while attending the World Show Association (WSA) Convention last month I felt it was my solemn shoeblog duty to at least window shop at the the Shoppes at Palazzo Las Vegas.

First up, the 85,000 square feet of retail space at Barneys New York. I loved the wire framed high heel which greeted me at the main shoe window display.

The fierce lioness growling at anyone who dares to come near her sumptuous feast of luxury shoes. I found it amusing that she was biting a pair of faux cow-hide pumps. All the fun but none of the blood or gore.

This particular mannequin reminds me a bit of the African tribeswomen who might gracefully balance woven baskets on their heads. Only in this case, instead of baskets she’s balancing metallic handbags.

A Jimmy Choo boutique was also present. This particular shop had similar decor to the boutique in the Forum Shoppes of Caesar’s . Business must be good to be able to open two boutiques so close to each other.

But then again, who wouldn’t want to buy these lovely sandals if they could afford them.

There was also a Tory Burch boutique embossed with her signature logo.

But sadly, Christian Louboutin’s boutique was under construction. I guess the means I need to plan another trip when it opens for business. Just kidding…..

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