Versace’s Vibrant Color-Blocked Ankle Boots

It definitely  feels like winter around here.  Sure, it’s still officially fall according to my wall calendar. But, when I wake up to snow flurries, I know that winter has firmly taken over and fall has sadly become a mere technicality. (more…)

Valentino SS 2011 Shoes

The designers of Valentino have some difficult shoes to fill.  With each line, they listen to the criticism and adjust.  Something I have noticed is the finishing touches of their ready to wear are high quality - sort of a blend of the Couture and Ready to Wear. Unfortunately, they haven’t given up on the ruffles and fringe, and the red isn’t Valentino red but it is a nice collection that should sell quite well.

They have partnered with the Gap and the collaboration will be available in the Milan Gap in November.  Unfortunately, this is only available in Europe.  So, if you are planning a Milan trip over the holidays you might be able to score a few Valentino pieces.

The shoes featured in the fall 2010 collection were nice, classic shoes, but nothing new, nothing amazing.  Maybe I am expecting too much from Valentino.  Let’s look at was offered.

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Lanvin Python & Mongolian Fur Pumps

No surprise to any of our regular readers is the rather obvious fact that I like shoes.  This is beyond the actual ‘shoes I’d like to wear’ and into the land of ‘If I had an unlimited budget I’d consider opening a shoe-museum’.  There are simply too many love-them or hate-them… yet always interesting-to-look-at shoes being made for me to own (let alone wear) even a fraction of the styles that pique my interest.

On a more serious note, on researching the source of the Mongolian fur trim of these shoes (most likely lambswool from nomadic Mongolian flocks) I encountered several articles devoted to  last year’s tragic Mongolian winter; a winter so severe that close to 8 million herd animals died. This has left many nomadic herders struggling to survive with those few herd animals that remain.  Selling their goat cashmere, lambswool and other herd skins is especially important to those now barely surviving this devastating event.  This is a case where designer items are

Lanvin python and Mongolian fur pumps $1990 via Net-a-porter

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Alaia Lasercut Haircalf Suede Booties

Alaia cutout calf hair platform pumps $2375 via Net-a-porter.

These layered, laser-cut overlay booties almost make me wish I could get married all over again just to have an excuse to own them.  They visually scream,  “Unforgettable fall wedding.”  Lucky, indeed, is the gal who scores these  beautiful ankle boots to wear under her wedding gown.

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Marc Jacobs Fall 2010 Boots

I like my boots cute, sassy, and wearable. Sky-high, stiletto, knee boots may be sexy as hell, but they are just too impractical for the wet, windy, and occasionally icy conditions that fall and winter bring into the life of a gal living in the Pacific Northwest.

So, now I must give a big “Thank you” to Marc Jacobs for apparently reading both my heart and mind  -  because this year’s fall boots are right down my alley. I just hope I can find a way to finagle at least one of them into my budget and, by extension, my closet.

Marc by Marc Jacobs fold-over suede and leather lace-up ankle boots $395 at Saks.com.

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