Rene Caovilla ‘Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes’

Okay, maybe they aren’t really diamonds -- but, check out the awesome!

Rene Caovilla Satin Platform Slingback $1295 at Bergdorf Goodman

Rene Caovilla Asymmetric-strap Sandal $995 at Bergdorf Goodman

After seeing these glitter-soled beauties over at Bergdorf Goodman, I find myself happily humming Paul Simon’s ‘Diamonds on the soles of her shoes‘ and pondering the deeper meanings of the song.

(a-wa) o kodwa u zo-nge li-sa namhlange
(a-wa a-wa) si-bona kwenze ka kanjani
(a-wa a-wa) amanto mbazane ayeza
She’s a rich girl
She don’t try to hide it
Diamonds on the soles of her shoes

He’s a poor boy
Empty as a pocket
Empty as a pocket with nothing to lose
Sing ta na na
Ta na na na
She got diamonds on the soles of her shoes
She got diamonds on the soles of her shoes
Diamonds on the soles of her shoes
Diamonds on the soles of her shoes

People say she’s crazy
She got diamonds on the soles of her shoes
Well that’s one way to lose these
Walking blues
Diamonds on the soles of her shoes

She was physically forgotten
Then she slipped into my pocket
With my car keys
She said you’ve taken me for granted
Because I please you
Wearing these diamonds

And I could say oo oo oo
As if everybody knows
What I’m talking about
As if everybody would know
Exactly what I was talking about
Talking about diamonds on the soles of her shoes

She makes the sign of a teaspoon
He makes the sign of a wave
The poor boy changes clothes
And puts on after-shave
To compensate for his ordinary shoes

And she said honey take me dancing
But they ended up by sleeping
In a doorway
By the bodegas and the lights on
Upper broadway
Wearing diamonds on the soles of their shoes

And I could say oo oo oo
As if everybody here would know
What I was talking about
I mean everybody here would know exactly
What I was talking about
Talking about diamonds

People say I’m crazy
I got diamonds on the soles of my shoes
Well that’s one way to lose
These walking blues
Diamonds on the soles of your shoes

(Lyrics from songmeanings.net)

Sigh. It was just a few years ago when you could buy a strappy Rene Caovilla for under $500. What’s a shoe-lover to do?

Gucci Cruise 2009

Jumping off from Shomore’s earlier Ed Hardy/Tattoo trends article, I wanted to share some of the Gucci 2009 Cruise collection styles with all of our readers.

As a brief peek at some of my previous postsmight indicate, I love graphics trends on shoes whether they are subtle or over the top. A recent encounter at another website where a poster stated ‘Ed Hardy is So Last Year’ (and by extension, tattoo flash and graphic adornment) had me wondering whether such a declaration was perhaps premature. Of course, it twas not that long ago that fashion forecasters were also gloomily predicting the yet-to-materialise decline of the wedge heel. 

Both of the above positions are firmly contradicted by Gucci’s current offerings.

There is actually a lovely relaxed quality to many of the shoes in this collection; a certain femininity noticeable in a  variety of styles and silhouettes that are likely to please a diverse set of tastes.  Given my love of graphics, it is no surprise that my current favorite is the tattoo-inspired ‘Heart Slingbacks’ and ‘Heart Wedges’; I am a sucker for such playful styles.

I find these tan shoes to be stylish, feminine and just a touch edgy without bowing completely to the trend. No small feat, and the resulting shoe is one that will remain wearable when the tattoo-flash fashion heyday has played itself out.

This style also comes in a signature print for those who love the logo look. I’m not sure that these are quite as sexy as the tan simply due to the busier background, but the grey contrast is actually a very nice contrast against the rose artwork.

And, if you happen to be one of those shoe-lovers who is also more than a bit fond of handbags, the rose-detailed purses Gucci is offering will certainly round out your  accessories options for indulging in this trend.

Definitely on the funkier side, the Heart wedges don’t give me the same timeless feel as the slingback stilettos; yet they nevertheless have an undeniable sense of quirky fun that will be just the thing for the gal who isn’t shy about showing her personality.

For the more conservatively minded, Gucci’s tortoise-detailed stilettos, platforms and wedges are still plenty tempting, and, let’s face it, divine.

I absolutely love the tortoise stiletto. Simply sexy and sophisticated.  While Gucci is certainly not the first to add the tortoise detail at the heel, they have definitely done it right with these Sophia High Heel pumps. These are definitely a great excuse not to wear white after labor day (though if that bothers you, it also comes in black).

For a bit of a younger look, any one of the more casual tortoise styles will do the trick. The warm brown tones paired with black are certainly timely with the black and brown combinations that we have been seeing in recent handbag fashion.

And yes, for those of you who actually don’t mind the occasional matchy shoe-handbag indulgence, the Gucci Hysteria Clutch and Hysteria Medium Hobo also come in a matching tortoise finish.

These are certainly some of my favorite styles from this collection. Of course, this is by no means is the a comprehensive list of the 2009 Gucci Cruise shoe and handbag styles currently available, but a girl’s got to start somewhere.

Styles shown on this page:

Gucci Tattoo Heart Slingbacks (Tan) $695 
Gucci Tattoo Heart Slingbacks (Grey) $595
Gucci Joy Medium Boston Bag $695
Gucci Tribeca Medium Shoulder Bag $1395
Gucci Babouska Large Tote $1250
Gucci Tattoo Heart Wedges $780
Gucci Sophia High Heel Pumps $645
Gucci Grease Platform Sandals $775
Gucci Kotao Wedges $1125
Gucci Swing Vitello Vernice Wedges $575
Gucci Sunset Thongs $475
Gucci Hysteria Clutch $1250
Gucci Hysteria Medium Hobo $1360

Prada Resort 2009: From Classic to Glam

In case you haven’t yet seen these in stores, several of this Fall’s resort collections have start to turn up at our favorite online shopping sites. Today’s focus is the Prada 2009 Resort Collection.

For more conservative ladies,  a number of these 2009 Resort styles are simple, feminine, classic, and stylish. The low demi-wedge sandals are a nice change from recent trends toward higher and more precarious styles. If you happen to prefer the higher heel, the ombre nude Maryjane pumps have a slim yet solid heel that will allow you to indulge in the trend of  higher styles without sacrificing too much in walking stability (~a la stilettos).

Prada Demi-wedge (T-strap) Sandals $520 Saks.com*

Prada Demi-wedge (Strappy) Sandals $520 at Saks.com

Prada T-strap Sandals $620 at Saks.com

Prada Ankle-strap Wedges $595 at Saks.com

Prada Mary-Jane Pumps $620 at Saks.com

Prada Round-toe Pumps $490 at Saks.com

Of course,  the folks over at Prada have not forgotten to include styles with a bit of bling in this collection (in apparent consideration of the many ladies who simply never stopped loving the idea of playing dress-up with their fashion). And, with the holidays just around the corner, I’m sure there are many gals out there who will find plenty of opportunities to let these lovelies shine - as they are quite obviously meant to do.

Prada Sequined Peep-toe Pumps $850 at Saks.com

Prada sequined mules $590 at Saks.com

Prada Sequined Sandals $850 at Saks.com

Prada Jewelled Slides $730 at Saks.com

Prada T-strap sandals $890 at Saks.com

Prada T-strap Sandals $790 at Saks.com

As for me, do I have a favorite? Well, while I am wholeheartedly loving the art-deco 1940′s appeal of the last 2 jewelled T-straps, I actually find myself more torn between the demi-wedge T-strap and the basic-yet oh, so sexy, jewelled slides.

How about you, which style do you find most appealing?

 *For those of you with a Saks 5th Avenue account, there is a triple-points event currently in progress online, and running Nov. 11-15  in stores.

This Week in Shoes

Chanel Cruise 2009 ‘Miami Vice’ shoe; Photo via Fashionologie.com

-According to FashionWeekDaily,

Lagerfeld had been inspired by an image of a gun he saw somewhere, and he gave the tear to shoe designer Laurence Dacade, who employed plexi to make them functional. Voila! The “Miami Vice” shoe, as it’s called in Chanel’s ranks, is born. And yes, you’ll see them in stores.

-How to buy ballroom dancing shoes;Via About.com

-Cute dog! But even that couldn’t redeem it from being Shoewawa’s ugly shoe of the week.

-We’ve had many inquiries on Giambattista Valli’s Victoria shoe. TheShoeDish has found the knock off version from Baker.

-It’s a battle of the shoe store titans.  DSW sues Zappos for brand misuse.  Via FootwearNews