Oh, Phillip Lim, how I love thee! Your creations have structure in a trapeze dress and boho blouse-filled world. You make stunning silhouettes that make me feel beautiful and for that I adore you. This fashion week, however, your footwear might have outshone your Ready-to-Wear just a tad.

Lim’s Spanish-inspired collection was certainly beautiful. It had all the touches that his fans (me!) love. They looked easy to wear and had lovely embellishments that set them apart. But it was the shoes the really rocked the runway!

 Enter the master: Christian Louboutin.

Their were 32 pair of Louboutins in Lim’s show. Most were made from snakeskin, though there were a few metallics and some suede as well. The most dominant feature adorning these babies were the perfectly placed rosettes. Now, I don’t usually like rosettes; I find them fussy and far too girly for comfort. But somehow Louboutin’s magic touch transforms them into something romantic, modern, and utterly covetable. Furthermore, flats on the runway are not usually very successful in my book, but these are wonderful. I want one in every color and style. My favorites (below) are the black and white snakeskin flats and the gorgeous red platform heels!

 See for yourself:

Backstage:

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In dramatic contrast to ever-more towering and vertiginous shoe styles that have become common on the catwalk (to the point of  model falls becoming a far too common occurrence), the Marc by Marc Jacobs show has a delightful mix of shorter heels and flats styles that have me excited for Spring to arrive early.

First, for those who love floral motifs, is a casual shoe that is as energetic as Spring itself:

Next up are several combinations of  lace-up Spring sandals and booties that have me eager with anticipation to find out which colors and styles will make it to retail sale; almost every color was represented on the runway.

The flat sandals below are a sweet and feminine alternative to the current and ubiquitous gladiator trend. I particularly love the second shoe with the slight wooden heel. This openwork bootie has a silhouette similar to the Chloe shoes that I so loved this Spring while achieving a much more airy, light and warm-weather appropriate feel. This bootie has fused the  granny boot and sandal in a good way; one that might even avoid the whole issue of overheated ankles.

Now, I also love the idea of making this lace-up granny sandal into a style that can also translate to Fall with addition of a closed-toe. This neatly avoids the awkwardness we are currently encountering with the wearing of tights with open-toed booties.

Even better, it comes in Flats:

Or in a slight stacked Heel:

[Photographs courtesy of Style.com]

I keep coming back to these last two booties; I love the neutral colors. With the closed toe, lace-up granny styling, and slightly curved organic heel, I know that I need to start saving my pennies. 

This may be trite, but this is the boot that I never knew I always wanted.

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This look is being referred to loosely in fashion magazines as the ‘Hardware Trend’; it’s main indicator is an obvious and sometimes excessive use of metallic visual embellishments such as Buckles, Studs, Grommets, or in this case, Zippers.  When it is used in Fall boots, it has also been referred to as ‘Biker Chic’ or ‘Moto Style’. The common thread to these looks is that the hardware is up-front. While the zippers or buckles may occasionally be functional, in most cases the primary use of these items is decorative in nature.  This type of Metallic adornment is not at all unusual on Motorcycle Boots, as well as at retailers such as Hot Topic who specialize in the Alternative Rock, Punk, Industrial or Goth musical scenes. 

Interestingly enough, I first encountered zippers as trim on the following very exuberant shoes: The Marc by Marc Jacobs Zipped and Studded Pump  in blue denim or black calfskin ($197.80 6pm.com; also available in a slingback Flat for $163.30)) and the Metallic Naughty Monkey ‘Gudahame’ ($40.25 6pm.com). These are rather aggressive shoes that have quite a lot going on.

However, the current popularity of the trend can likely be laid at the feet of Christian Louboutin’s Caracolo (previously blogged about here) out around Christmastime last year. Recently available at Bluefly ($616 in Red, Black, and Dusty Pink),the Caracolo has not lost it’s delightful edge; it was also striking enough that Steve Madden apparently created a very faithful (Sans Red Sole) replica that sold out in very little time indeed). 

Similar in spirit to the above Louboutin, I also love this cute Punk/Industrial-styled  ’Zipper Point Flat’ by well-know alternative shoe brand T.U.K. Shoes (Zappos.com $45).It has that same look of the zipper ’swallowing’ the foot as the Caracolo that I find really appealing and fun while retaining a practical and walkable cut for everyday use.

Back to Christian Louboutin, the ’Rhodita’ summer sandal ($835 at net-a-porter.com and Niemanmarcus.com) continues with the zipper taking front stage as an integral and eye-catching detail.

Similar but not identical to the Rhodita is the slightly more budget-conscious LAMB ‘Shauna’ in Black or Gunmetal ($279.95 Endless.com /269.99 Heels.com / Shopbop.com);This is a chunkier YSL-esque platform for the girl who really loves that extra oomph! a few added inches can give her.

Yet another similar sandal, Carlos by Carlos Santana’s ‘Cougar’ in Silver, Bronze, or Black (Endless.com $98.95 / Zappos.com $100); this one also has zippered straps and its price range is much more in line for all the bargain fashionistas out there.

Coming back to LAMB, we have two styles that play up zippers on the vamp area.  First, the ‘Selene’ pump with zip-trimmed tuxedo-shirt flaps in Black or Gunmetal ($239.00 Endless.com /$252.95 Zappos.com /$299.99 Heels.com). Second, the slingback ‘Sidney’ with Zipper Rosette on the vamp ($319 Zappos.com / $315 Shoes.com / $239.90 Endless.com/ $220.50 on sale at Shopbop.com). Both of these styles are riding the zipper trend to keep Gwen’s L.A.M.B. brand fun and funky.

Are these early adopters all we can expect from the Zipper trend? Most assuredly not. A quick search as I am writing this has come up with dozens of late contenders for moving into Fall. Among these styles:

Betsey Johnson’s ‘Tayla’ in Black, Grey or Camel ($235 Zappos.com / $234.99 Heels.com / $234.95 Endless.com / Sale priced $119.99 at Smartbargains.com). As this is Betsey Johnson; it should come as little surprise that the zipper pull is in the shape of a lightning bolt. If there is an opportunity for Glam, Betsey usually takes it.

For a bit of playful appeal, Not Rated’s ‘Sidestep’ in Pink, Green, Yellow, Charcoal, or Black, ($39.95 Endless.com / $49.00 Zappos.com) gives a colorful kick.

Sergio Rossie ‘Patent Leather Platform Sandal’ ($850 Nordstrom’s Pre-order). This is a fairly conservative interpretation on the zipper theme.

BCBGirls ‘Lotun’ in Croc-embossed Red or Black Calfskin ($109.95 Nordstrom.com); another conservative interpretation.

Taryn Rose’s ‘Bridger’ Ballet Flat with Zipper Rose detail ($495 Neimanmarcus.com). I sure hope that’s one cozy Flat.

And yes, Helle Comfort has made a Zipped and Studded Clog ($174 Zappos.com). Oh My!

Other Honorable Mentions go to the following:

Sergio Rossi ‘Farisa‘ Zip-toe Pump $373 clearance.
Chinese Laundry ‘Betsey‘ Zipper Platform in Denim or Black $79.95
Chinese Laundry ‘Arcane‘ Zipper Pump $89.95.
Harley Davidson ‘Fortune‘  High Heel Sandal $64.00.
Fly London ‘Mall‘ Peep-toe Heel $96.23.
Fly London ‘Mex‘ Peep-toe Heel $82.49.
Not Rated ‘Zip It’ Flat $44.95.
Michael Kors ‘Berkeley‘ Flat $99.00.

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Te Casan is starting to receive new Fall stock. What does that mean to us?  Clearance prices on shoes from talented new designers as a fraction of their original price. Sounds like a plan to me.

1.) First up, Gianluca Soldi’s “Ginette“. Limited edition of 60 pairs; originally $295, sale priced at $99. Trend: Peep-toe, colored by Jewel-tones that add a hint of color-blocking sensibility.

The Ginette is also available in Purple, making it a great style moving into Fall; with the predominant ‘Berry’ themes that are now available in stores and which range in tone from cool burgundies to true purples.

2.) Next, by Zoe Lee, are two more deep purple picks for Fall.

• First, the “Lea“. Limited edition of 60 pairs; originally $285, sale priced at $99. Trend: Berry(Purple), Luxe fabrics, Mini-wedge.

• Next, the “Lily” boot, reminiscent of French court shoes (Think Louis XIV).  Limited edition of 30 pairs; originally $315, sale priced at $189.50. Trend: Berry, Luxe Fabrics, Ankle Boots.

3.) Animal Prints continue to be popular as we head into Fall.  Here are two Te Casan offerings:

• Gianluca Soldi’s ‘Greta‘. Limited edition of 60 pairs; originally $325, sale priced at $195.50. Trend: Animal prints.

• Zoe Lee’s ‘Lorna‘. Limited edition of 60 pairs; originally $315, sale priced at $167.50. Trend: Animal Prints combined with color-blocked styling.

4.) Rounding out this batch of sales offerings, we arrive at the super-hot trend of menswear-inspired ladies shoes (These are styles that make me think of Marlene Dietrich and Greta Garbo on the old Silver Screen). All three of these styles are by Gianluca Soldi.

• First, the ‘Geena‘ pump. Limited edition of 60 pairs; originally $365, sale priced at $99. Trend: (Subtle) Menswear design, Retro-look; matches well with the neutral tones that are also very present this Fall.

• Next, the ‘Genny‘ pump. Limited edition of 60 pairs; originally $325, sale priced at $99. Trend: Peep-Toe, Menswear Wing-tip details with just a hint of spectator styling. This is a nice alternative for those who like the menswear styling but are not attracted to the Oxford ankle-boot styles.

• Last, we have the two-tone ‘Gigliola‘ in Grey or Brown color combinations.Limited edition of 60 pairs; originally $355, now $99.  Trend: Menswear, Wingtip Oxfords, Spectator styling.

For those of us unable or unlikely to shop runway designers at boutique prices, this is a nice opportunity to acquire a lovely pair of designer-quality  shoes at real-live prices.

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The last time I mentioned Graffiti and the current graphics trend in shoe adornment, the shoe silhouette itself (Platform wedge) definitely fell under the “Funky and Chunky” category.

If you are attracted to this type of edgy detail in your footwear, but prefer more classic or feminine designs, the following styles are in much more traditional shoe shapes and may be more to your liking.

First, for the less budget-constrained among us: Christian Louboutin’s red calf “Madison Tag”boots down from $980 to $784 at Bluefly. This is some seriously sexy, flirty, attitude-packed fun.

Or, there is also Mr. Louboutin’s Pigalle detailed in gold leather and graffiti priced down from $675 to $540 at Bluefly.com.

Of course, for those looking for a less hefty price tag, there is still an option: Report’s “Adri” for $74 at Zappos.com; in Black/blue or Grey/orange color combinations.  These would seem to be more in line with the shopping budgets of a younger, college-aged crowd that still wants to add a little bit of attitude to their walk.

How do you feel about claiming some of that attitude for yourself?

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