NY Fashion Week Spring 2010: A Day at the Beach with Band of Outsiders

It was grey and raining outside Band of Outsiders Spring 2010 presentation. No one was please that it was going to start 15 minutes late and that we wouldn’t even be allowed inside the main building to escape from the rain before it began. That is, we were annoyed until we walked in and saw that Scott Sternberg and team had taken a bare NY studio and transformed it into Los Angeles, beachside. Models stood in the sand, wearing the fun English childhood collection that Sternberg put together. It was awesome! There were huge sand dunes with grasses “growing” out of them. A pond with model-controlled electronic boats was next to an abandoned sailboat. One model stood above the rest, atop a huge rock, while another scanned the sand with a metal detector. A clever scene from a man who took the time to thank both Snuffaluffagus and the Cookie Monster in his show notes.

And as for the shoes, they were clever too. The men wore Band of Outsiders for Sperry custom designed boat shoes in that particularly soft nubbly grey that you find in your favorite sweatpants, though I couldn’t quite see if it was, in fact, sweatpant material. Sternberg collaborated with Manolo Blahnik on the women’s footwear making some incredibly cute suspender sandals. Straps were wrapped around the model’s feet and hooked to the other side with a suspender clip. The same patter was used in some very cool miniskirts as well.

Take a look at this merry Band of Outsiders.

The guy on the left is my favorite male model of Fashion Week: Thiago.

NY Fashion Week Spring 2010: Tony Cohen and The Claw

Yesterday, r5bales showed you Christian Siriano’s new shoe collection, which will eventually be reimagined for Payless. His last collection was toned-down considerably for sale to the general public, so it remains to be seen what will happen to his newest heel innovation: The Claw.

To recap:

But it seems that Siriano is not the only designer to have decided that The Claw is the way to go for Spring 2010. Tomy Cohen, who showed his deconstructed collection at Bryant Park yesterday, seems to have embraced a similar aesthetic. Check it out:

Admittedly, Cohen’s Claw is not nearly as pronounced as Siriano’s (we are talking about CHRISTIAN SIRIANO here), but it still doesn’t look that stable to me.

So tell me, what do you think of The Claw? And while you’re thinking about it, check out more of Tony Cohen’s collection as well as the Larare for Tony Cohen footwear collection.

Lovely and Lacey Louboutins for Fall

Today I just wanted to give our readers some happy Saturday eye-candy.

So, I went straight to Louboutin in search of some drool-worthy choices. What I found were variations on timeless lace.

This first one is my favorite, even if the shape is all wrong for my particular feet. The all-over lace and that peek of red sole are superbly matched.

Christian Louboutin ‘Ronda Dina’ 140 mm platform pumps; $1025 at Net-a-porter.

But, if you are more of an ankle-boot gal, this next style may be more your speed.  Cute horizontal lace patterns make this a nice update on a classic allover lace boot.

Christian Louboutin ‘Paola’ 100mm ankle boots; $1155 at Net-a-porter.

(The Paola is also available on pre-order at Saks)

For a more conservative take (using the same lace as the Paola), is this classic pump designed with a lower, sturdy heel. This is a great look that is not likely to go out of style.

Christian Louboutin ‘Ambro’ lace peep-toe pump; $825 at Nieman Marcus.

Finally, for you gals that like to show off a bit of bad-girl vibe, check out this shoe-confection made with lace, studs, and a zipper bow. This is glam-rock for a new generation.

Christian Louboutin ‘Candy Stud’ pumps $965 at Saks.com.

So, this is just one designer’s take on lace. Are you anticipating more fabulous lace creations from other designers this fall?

I know I am.

Mid-Heel Options

When people ask me my age, I often give a smart mouth response.  ”My mind thinks I am 25, but my knees think I am 85.”  My old knees are a result of bad running mechanics, high heels and a really, really stupid mountain bike accident.   

My mind LOVES the five inch double platforms we have seen these past few seasons, however my knees are another matter.  Lately, they have been choosing how high my heels will be.  When you wear heels above 3 inches, it puts ALOT of stress on your knees.  So if you are wearing 4 1/2 inch heels everyday give me a call, I know a great orthopedic surgeon. 

Shomore told us about Andre Leon Talley’s opinion about the absurd heights our designers are taking their heels.   Gioia Diliberto agrees. ”It is nearly impossible to find a pretty, feminine shoe with a normally high heel, say three and a half inches.”  [Huffington Post] 

I can relate.  I decided to see just what I could find with a heel 3.5 inches or less.  Let’s see what I found.

Taryn Rose Canela  is a neat shoe with a cute ornament on the toe. The heel’s width offers stability.  The foot bed had a high tech paddding.   Taryn Rose shoes have been kind to me because she is an orthopedic surgeon turned shoe designer.  She feels my pain.

 Chrisian Louboutin offers more than hidden platforms with 6 inch heels.  I am seriously considering purchasing these heels.

Christian Louboutin New Decoltissimo 85  $565 at Net-a-Porter.

  I really like these next shoes.  They are not gladiators (too tired), not too odd looking, but different enough to be interesting.  There is a red and grey combination that is attractive.

  Loeffler Randall Geneivieve $332 at Shopbop.com 

Another interesting design that isn’t the same frilly, girly flower sandal we see everywhere. 

Eilene Shieldsfor Zero + Maria Cornejo Tia

Initially, I found nearly all shoes with less than 3.5 inch heels were either variations on the pump or a slide.  I looked a little harder and found some designers who had some unusual designs that met my 3.5 criteria.  Eilene Shields and Loeffler Randall had quite a few unusual designs.  Cole Haan has several feet friendly designs. 

If two fashion editors are talking about insane high shoes, then others are too.  I am willing to bet the designers will be offering more shoes in the mid-heel range soon.

Spring 2009′s Perilous Platforms

Given recent runway tendencies toward ever-tottering shoe heights (the Spring 2009 Runway was notorious for having shoes styles that were positively dangerous to models’ walking health), it should come as no surprise that platform shoes are making a serious play for your Spring.Summer 2009 shoe-dollar.

This ‘higher the better’ silhouette on women’s heels is anything but subtle this season.  And, if you want to fly with the angels, several of this season designer offerings are about as close as you will get while still technically keeping your feet on the ground.

Let’s begin with the now-infamous ankle-breakers from Prada – and possibly the most dangerous shoes on the Spring 2009 Runways. I highly recommend avoiding the slipper-socks that turned these into dangerous devices of runway torture.

Prada platforms on the left are on sale at Saks for $482. The Prada Whipsnake slingbanks go for $695.

Next we have Prada’s near-cousin, Miu Miu; with an added nod to one of this season’s textural details – Bamboo.

Now we come to Yves St. Laurent. Well, given the incredible popularity of the YSL Tribute platforms, the Tribtoo’s are pretty much a gimme in the platform category. Plus, they have such a clean and elegant line, how can you go wrong? But, if you want something more trendy, YSL’s  got you covered there as well with gladiators, strappy sandals and caged styles.

And, of course, I would never forget Msr. Louboutin. I would certainly be remiss if I didn’t include a selection from shoe-dom’s current golden boy and purveyor footwear both feminine and fetish-inspired: Not single. Not double. Yes, it’s true, these are triple-platform pumps.

Can I get a Hoo-Rah!

But, lately, I can’t seem to stop ogling offerings from Guiseppe Zanotti. These are definitely not in my immediate future shoe-budget, and I’m not sold on the yellow buckle detail – Oh, and there’s that whole silly little issue of walking on a 1.5-inch heel *eek* to consider.  But, oh, that middle shoe is so pretty! (My weakness for oxfords is definitely showing here.  Unfortunately, my ankles are wobbling just looking at these)

This is just a small sampling of the many everyday-extreme platforms available this year.  Every time I turn around, there are more offerings – from high-end indulgences to more affordable (think Betsey Johnson & Jessica Simpson) splurges.

I believe that the shortest platforms shown here are 3/4 inches. Many of theses are actually closer to a 1.25 inch or greater lift under the toe; making these styles suitable for experienced heel wearers only.

These bring to mind a statement I encountered last fall, but whose original source I cannot recall (Paraphrased from memory):

“If models, trained to walk in such (exaggerated) heels, are unable to do so, what hope is there for us mere mortals?”