I just went to the Cooper-Hewitt’s current exhibit, “Design for a Living World.” Not only was it incredible and inspiring, but I learned quite a few new things.

From the website: “Ten leading designers have been commissioned to develop new uses for sustainably grown and harvested materials in order to tell a unique story about the life-cycle of materials and the power of conservation and design.”

Would you ever guess the materials for your shoes could come from a place like this?

And from a process like this?

As far as I know, there was one and only one pair of shoes included in the exhibit. These lucky shoes were the innovative, talented (and highly funny, I think) Isaac Mizrahi sustainable Alaskan white salmon skin shoes show below. Sorry for the slightly blurry photo but I had to work with what I could get and enlarge from press shots since photo was not allowed.

Salmon skin, ladies!! SALMON. SKIN. I assume they de-smellified them!

Consumers don’t need the skins and so they just go to waste. Here’s a way for those beautiful skins to go to use. Mizrahi sent the skins to Paris to be attached to flat, round paillettes and then attached them to make this lovely dress.

Mizrahi said in the accompanying exhibit video that he found that because the salmon skin was already pretty and iridescent, his work was cut out for him.

Mizrahi also said that he didn’t believe sustainable fashion design could work by sacrificing any level of glamour. Point taken, point agreed with.

Also check out Ted Muehling’s lovely jewelry from Micronesia.

This is the debut venue of the exhibit, which closes in January of 2010 to travel to other cities. Do go to see it if you love the place where design and sustainability meet!

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Let me start out by saying that I like summer as much as anyone. Warm weather and sunshine is nice, but after weeks of high-90’s temperatures, I am looking forward to more moderate fall temperatures.  Plus, my recent time in Las Vegas visiting with family may have left me feeling a bit ’summered out’ - at least for a while. Whatever the reason, I was thrilled to discover during this weekend’s window-shopping that shoe and department stores are moving past caged booties, gladiator sandals, and *ick* flip-flops and into fall-friendly closed-toe Maryjanes, ankle boots, and knee-boots.

Yay! Fall has some of the most delicious footwear - particularly if you are a boot-lover like me.

One thing I noticed after visiting several area stores is that grey boots, in particular, are calling to me this season.  Perhaps it’s a carry-over from walking through the Bellagio shops where I covetously petted these uber-soft, grey, majorette boots by Fendi that are, sadly, not even remotely in this year’s budget (But *Gasp*  - Love ‘em!):

(Fendi boots are $995 at Net-a-porter)

These Fendi lovelies felt soooo dreamy. There really is whole other level of softness that you don’t find in cheaper leathers. (Don’t even get me started about walking through Bottega Veneta and Hermes …. *Sigh*)

So, since I am obviously obsessing over grey boots, I want to show you the first ones that caught my eye while I was wandering the aisles at Famous Footwear yesterday.

But first….Why famous footwear?

Well, for anyone on a budget, the whole buy-one get one 1/2 off is always tempting:

But, even better, there’s also a limited-time coupon, effective until September 12th, that is good for an additional 20% off your total purchase. You can print a copy of this coupon from their website or use discount code 32BTSD9 if you are buying at their website online:

How cool is that?

Anyway, back to ogling cute little grey ankle boots…

The first ones that caught my eye were these Lifestride boots. They have a bit of the same saucy majorette attitude I see in the Fendi boots while not being too costume-y. I really like the contrasting black piping against the grey suede. Hubby, however, is less won over by these. Also, these were true to size but a bit snug at the heel; they would probably fit better on gals with slightly narrower heels.

Lifestride ‘Smith’ $59.99 $69.99 before sales discounts.(Also available in an all-black combo)

By the way - These looked great peeking out from under my jeans!

Also catching my eye were several pairs of boots by the Fergalicious brand. One thing is certain, Fergie’s brand has a good feel for producing fashionable styles that don’t break the bank.

I am in love with this next little bootie; all it needs to be a perfect fit is a little arch insert to accommodate my high-ish arches. It has a black faux leather upper with contrasting grey piping and and open toe. I am loving the look of these. They are a bit reminiscent of Gucci a few seasons back, but the added lacing on these gives them a retro bowling-shoe vibe that appeals to my love of both swing and rockabilly.  These would look fabulous with a 50’s-inspired sundress or 40’s-style pencil skirt.

Fergalicious ‘Margo’ $49.99 $59.99.

But, I really, really, love these little grey ankle booties.  Just look at that zipper and that cute little wearable heel. Plus, when I tried them on, they were so soft, it was like wearing little hugs for my feet. These are definitely tempting me to make a return trip to the store before that extra 20% coupon runs out.

Fergilicious ‘Tasha’ $59.99 $69.99.

And look, they also come in black….so tempting! Just because I am in love with grey doesn’t mean I can’t love other colors too….

And, just to satisfy my love of earth-tones, is this knee-high, Fergalicious boot; warm browns are a great fall wardrobe staple. Just check out these strap-happy boots. (Also appropriate for any of you steampunks out there - Maybe I’ll see ya at Steam-con this fall.)

Fergalicious ‘Skeeter’ in brown or black; $69.99 $89.99.

Now, I just have to double-check to see if I can fit a couple of these into this month’s budget. After all, I’ve been good. I haven’t purchased a new pair of shoes since May (quite an acheivement for a lady who’s had periods where she averaged four new pairs of shoes per month)…..and that includes my recent trip to Las Vegas.

What do ya think?

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Yoox, an online luxury discounter, is having an end of summer sale to clear out their spring / summer merchandise.

I found these earthy Stella McCartney camouflage sandals to be an awesome price - only $55 plus everything ships free!  Surprisingly, they even have a few sizes left.  And since the shoes are by Stella McCartney, you can feel guilt free with your purchase because it is guaranteed to be both eco and animal friendly.

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I am the youngest of a large family.  When I was a toddler, my older siblings would put my dad’s leather gloves on my feet and pretend I was a trained monkey.  We were easily entertained.

When I saw this photo it took me back to my childhood.

These shoes are by Vibram at about $75.00.  Time Magazine named them one of the best inventions of 2007.   Where have I been?

They offer a classic pump

A smart maryjane

and a stylish bootie.

I saw these in a store that specialized in outdoor gear.  I asked for the five finger discount and the sales guy didn’t even change expression.  No humour.

I don’t even know where to begin with these.  I will let you all have your fun with them.

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Hello warmer weather!

As we move into another spring season, certain classic footwear trends have re-emerged as if on an annual schedule. In this case, the trend is of rope-like espadrilles and cork-soled sandals. These continue to be casual warm-weather favorites.

This spring and summer it will be tough to go wrong style-wise if your sandals include a cork sole; or perhaps rafia, bamboo, or jute details. Natural textures, warm tan and brown colors, and an earthy, Boho vibe are making a huge appearance in stores this spring.

First up - Prada’s Rafia, Cork, and Bamboo Wedges:

Prada Raffia Wedge Sandals $650 at Saks.com

Prada Bamboo Wedge Platforms $695 at Saks.com

Prada Wedge Platform Cutout Sandals $750 at Saks.com

I’m not finding myself to be much of a fan of the rafia, and I can take or leave the whole cork thing, but the bamboo is pretty intriguing.

Volatile Shoes also has a few bamboo-wrapped offerings in their spring line-up (with more of a reedy effect): Read the rest of this entry »

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