Let’s take the flats in the image here (I’m starting with flats because, as I’ve mentioned elsewhere, I can’t really wear high heels). They’re just a pair of flats, a little over-embellished and gaudy and in general not to my taste, but perhaps for others they may look fabulously stylish–and that’s fine, others can probably pull it off.

That’s not however, the reason I will never buy these shoes. The real reason is that they’re a brand I dislike in general, and whose founder I have blah-to-zero feelings for: Baby Phat, by Kimora Lee Simmons.

There are other so-called brands that are instant deal-breakers for me. Anything Paris Hilton, for example: I’m afraid that wearing anything her skankiferous gaze has rested upon (I have no illusion that she’s actually laboring at the drawing board for whatever bags or perfume she’s trying to sell) will instantly pulverize me. Or anything Jessica Simpson: even though some of her shoes look decent in that "I stole this design from those really expensive shoes I’m otherwise wearing" way, I can’t escape the feeling that they’re branded with those collagen lips and the blonde vacant stare. And it’s all coming for someone who’s famous for being famous (seriously, why else is she famous?). I’m also staying away from anything J Lo–simply because my retina was permanently damaged after seeing her lingerie collection. Oh, and the only one of her perfumes I had the curiosity to smell was over-the-top sweet.

I guess I can’t bring myself to let women I could in no way take as role models in general be style arbiters for any aspect of my fashion persona. And besides, it always puzzles me that none of these people actually seem to wear their own brands–what, are they ashamed to be seen in shoes that only cost $70 instead of $700, or wearing anything else but the latest "it" bag from Chloe or Prada? What kind of message does that send to their customer base? But I digress.

Now, of course, there are exceptions. I don’t hate all celebrity labels. I simply loved Isabella Rossellini’s "Manifesto" perfume. I approached with caution Sarah Jessica Parker’s "Lovely" fragrance, but I became hooked–it suits me so well, I’m now at my second 3-oz bottle. That’s partly because these women did, in fact, have something to say, and in general are damn good actresses with a great sense of style. And a sophisticated sense of smell, if I may add. 

Unlike the Britney Spears fragrances, which really left me cold. Oh, and although I like and admire Beyonce, it will be a cold day in hell before I buy her lavishly embellished stilettos.  I’m the stiletto’s natural enemy, in fact: crippling, uncomfortable, restrictive, prone to cause all sorts of foot deformities and ankle and knee problems. No, thanks.

I’m also staying away from certain brands which, although not celebrity-endorsed, still offend my fashion sensibilities in some way. For example, Mephisto or Dansko or Clarks. I abhor Crocs. And any shoe made of all man-made materials is out, too.  

I realize I may come across and prejudiced and biased and whatnot–but you know what? That’s fashion. We all have our secret prejudices. And that’s ok, imho. That’s why fashion is fun and diverse and exciting: we all see something different in it. 

How about you? What, or who, are your deal breakers when it comes to designer or celebrity brands?