Casadei’s Geometric Heels: Shoe Deja-Vu

I love intricate or carved heel details on shoes. So, it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that I’ve been pining over Casadei’s 2010 fall line of boots & pumps with their delightfully-geometric, devilishly high, drop-dead gorgeous heels.

(Photo c/o Yoox.com, boots not currently in stock)

I mean, look at these! What’s not to love?

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Alejandro Ingelmo’s New Web Site

Earlier this month Alejandro Ingelmo launched a new web site, alejandroingelmo.com.  It is an interesting website.  With vintage photos, a video featuring Mr. Ingelmo talking about the history and vision of his company and the ability to shop online for both men and women collections.

He features two designs in each season that are available only through his site.   For example, his Crosby bootie ($695) in the Fall/Winter line is offered in gold.  (I know this is early, especially with the heat, but wouldn’t these be fun during the Christmas Season?)

Ingelmo shoes are at the $350 to $1100 price point with the Spring/Summer shoes currently on sale to about 40 %.

Let’s look at some shoes. (more…)

Jean Paul Gaultier Fall 2011

At the beginning of the year, Women’s Wear Daily did an article about trends for 2011.  The designers interviewed gave their opinion as to what was going to be “in” and what was going to be “out” for the coming year.  Half said platforms and ultra-high heels were a big “out.”   My first reaction was, “Oh Please.We aren’t going to give up our dramatic shoes.”  Fortunately, I didn’t say it out loud because Jean Paul Gaultier would have made me eat my words.

His presentation featured point-toe shoes that were no higher than 3.5 inches.  These shoes are a perfect professional shoe.  Let’s see what was  featured.

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Happy Birthday Stefano Gabbana

Molto Sexy  turns 48 today.   I find it interesting that his education is in graphic design, rather than fashion design.  He met Domenico Dolce in 1980 and began working together in 1982. This creative partnership started with them as a romantic couple, a great business plan, a lot of style and goals to retire at 40.  They changed their mind.   In 2005,  Stefano and Domenico separated as a couple but continue to work together as business partners and friends.  They have opened Via Spiga 2, an accessory store that features several emerging designers and a new avenue for creativity.

The company has not been without controversy.  The term “raunchy” has been used to describe their ads.     They pulled one photo from the Spanish market after an huge uproar.  Stefano was featured wearing a pair of underwear and stilettos in W magazine.  (I read that article while getting my hair colored a couple of years ago, and found it odd.)  A few years ago he went public about his views of same sex parents, which I found interesting – he thinks a child should have both a mother and father.

Stefano has about 53,000 following him through  his personal Twitter account, which apparently is quite entertaining.  I may sign up for it.   The first thing he does is check the Twitter accounts realizing it is essential in reaching the label’s followers.  Incidentally, the company Twitter account has 40,000.

Let’s look at some Dolce&Gabbana.

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Fall 2010 Couture: Christian Dior Shoes

For the Christian Dior Fall 2010 Couture show, creative director John Galliano created a virtual garden on the runway.  For the floral motif, models were transformed into pansies, daffodils, and other brilliantly colored flowers.

The shoes also took on an organic feel with heels made to look like intertwined stems and pastel-colored strappy sandals which looked like they would bloom at a moment’s notice. What are you thoughts on these shoes?  Would Mother Nature have approved? (more…)