Runway to Retail: Maison Martin Margiela

I wanted to write about the Maison Martin Margiela* SS2011 RTW show right after the original runway photos came out. Unfortunately, every time I looked at the press photos, a certain television theme song would, inevitably, begin playing in my head – suddenly, all bets were off and I’d have to call it quits for the day.

But,  the shoes have been available since mid-year and I need to get my ranting and reviewing over with already.

First Impressions: Love or Hate?

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Maison Martin Margiela ‘Defile’ open-toe sandal pump $930 $371.99 via Saks & $465 via the Martin Margiela e-boutique

more review details after the break

Beverly Feldman’s Embroidered Curacao Wedge Slides

Wedges seem to be quite  popular this year – particularly when they are playing with bright colors, interesting silhouettes, or attention-grabbing embellishments.

Well, when I tripped across these embroidered Beverly Feldman slides on a recent  inter-web window-shopping  jaunt, I just knew that I would be sharing them with you.

Beverly Feldman ‘Curacao’ $179 at Zappos.com

These are cute, summery, and feminine. Made in a combination of earthy khaki and beige toned linen,  these are topped off with  a delicate, pastel-floral embroidery on both the upper band and the heel.  I like them as a dressier, yet still casual, alternative to the ever-popular rope espadrilles that we see each summer.

And then, of course, there’s that whole soft spot I have for floral details – Oh, and that other soft spot for embroidered details. So, it’s not that much of a stretch to find that I would like these more than just a bit. However, the best part is that at a price under $200, while these are not cheap, they are much more budget-friendly than so many of the premium designer wedges we have already seen this season – Yet they are still unique enough that they will turn heads.

(Depending on your monitor, the khaki-green color may look more accurate  in the  product video below.) (more…)

Spring 2011 Shoe Trends: Statement Wedges

Wedges are a seasonal favorite each spring.  Your typical cork or  rope-espadrille styles bring a casual, effortless, feel to almost any summer outfit.  But, while classic, your basic chunky, neutral-toned, wedges are not really bringing anything new to your outfit. Luckily, we have started to see shoe designers embrace varied wedge widths, swept-forward angles, layering, and more when it comes to adding fantastic and feminine details on their wedge-heeled offerings.  I am loving this.  After all, think of all of the potential artistic  real estate the wedge surface offers; why pass up the opportunity to take advantage of this oft-ignored area of the shoe’s design canvas?

So, while we have already shown you the season’s statement-wedge to beat all  statement wedges, there are still plenty of other fun, flirty, or outright glamorous options available to spice up either your weekend-casual or elegant-evening summer wardrobe (most of which will, incedentally, run you a whole lot less green than the oh-so-over-the-top McQueens at the above link).

These first wedges are these Lanvin Puzzle wedges. The neutral pump, in particular, can easily be dressed up or down for daytime or evening occasions. (Lanvin* puzzle wedges available at Nordstrom.com for $1120 (snake print) to $1280 (black or beige).

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Runway to Retail: Alexander McQueen Floral Wedges

Sometimes more isn’t always better, sometimes it’s just more.*

…On the other hand, sometimes more is fabulous. And, I say, bring it on.

You do remember these ornately-carved, gilt-bedecked shoe-confections that the McQueen label, under the creative direction of Sarah Burton, showed us  for their Spring 2011 McQueen runway, don’t you?

Of course you do.

Well, if you have been saving your pennies, you might be able to grab yourself a pair of these decadent darlings (or perhaps the matching clutch?).  Although, at a $1995 pre-order for the clutch (available in black or gold) and $3495 for the wedged sandals, these babies will run you quite the hefty bag of pennies indeed.

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Fall Shoes and Boots at Marshalls

Last week I spent two whirlwind days on a press trip to the corporate HQ for Marshalls and TJMaxx located in Framington, Massachussetts.  I don’t often write about discount stores because the stock can vary significantly from day to day as well as from  store to store.   But, since I was able to snap a few pictures of the shoe department of the flagship Marshalls store, I am sharing those with you today.

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