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A summer shoe sale is going at POP in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Not only do I love this store for its reasonable prices and mid-level fashion labels, but now you can join them on Facebook. Check out their comfy, trendy styles at 310 Grand Street between Havemeyer and Roebling Avenues.
Ahhhhhh ASGI, producer of extremely comfortable footwear, we are quite fond of you. For those of you who have been with us awhile, you may remember that this Science-of-Shoewearing brand showed up here on Shoeblog last spring when Shoesense reviewed their “Joy” Mary Jane. She went through their amazng Soleplex technology, but since it’s always a good time for good news, I am going to tell you about it again. Here is the first major reason to get interested in this brand, and fast:
ASGI claims to design their shoes “from the inside out” and in this image of the heeled version of their 3-tiered Soleplex design, you begin to see why. In this image, tiers 1 and 2 make up the “Footbed and Stabilizer” level. It is a contoured base that conforms, memoryfoam-like, to your your foot so that you almost feel like the shoe was made for you. It is then reinforced to provide extra support. The bottom tier is a combination of the “Chassis” and the “Pods” that are seperated in the flat version of the shoe. The Chassic is the stong durable foundation that gives you stability even on cobblestones and uneven ground. The “Pod,” or in this case, the heel, is carefully placed to distribute weight. Even though this is a heeled shoe, you are in no way balancing on your toes. For more information on Soleplex technology, check out the ASGI website.
The CLAIM: ASGI shoes are designed with comfort first and then wrapped in the latest fashion designs.
The TEST: Twinkletoes will wear the Carina Bootie all over the streets of New York and render her decision.
The VERDICT:
Here is a photo of the Carina bootie in which I did, indeed, traipse all over Manhattan.
CLAIM 1 RESULT: COMFORT. I found that ASGI totally lives up to the hard sell on the Soleplex technology. The shoe does actually feel like it molds to your foot. The longer you wear it, the more comfortable it gets. On top of that, New York is incredibly hard on shoes. Virtually ever pair of shoes I own looks like it has been in a streetfight. In the past I have found that the heel caps on my shoes can wear down with one wearing. ONE! But the polyurethane Chassis and Heel scoffed in the face of the NYC streets. Subway Grates? Sure, I got caught in them (I am not the most graceful of girls), but they came right out with nary a nick on them. Questionable puddles in the street? No problem! The leather was not damaged at all and any grime just washed right off! These babies are amazingly street savvy.
CLAIM 2 RESULT: FASHION. On this level, I feel that ASGI has a little way to go. I paired these with several different looks to see how they worked.
Business:
Casual:
Dressy:
I think that it definitely works best with the work look. It is a sturdy, comfortable work shoe but i think it needs a bit of tweaking before it can be called full-on Fashion. My main issue with it is the toe box. The squared off toe looks a little old-fashioned to me. Tweaking it just a little by making it either rounded or pointed would go a long way for the look. I understand that it is supposed to loafer-esque, but I think the look needs a bit more streamlining. However, I stand firm on the idea that if you are looking for comfortable, good-looking work shoe, these are perfect.
I did spend a great deal of time perusing ASGI’s website and found that the Daisy Ballerina shoe is super cute! Based on my time with the Carina Bootie, I am also 100% certain that it is incredibly comfortable. In addition to the black style, it is available in gold and silver, a perfect fit for the new Spring trends.
You can find the Carina Bootie ($102.00) and the Daisy Ballerina ($104.00!) on Footwearetc.com.
Ooh La La!
One of our forum members posted her recent purchase of this shoe:
Versace Embellished Cut-Out Heel $1447 at eluxury.com
And, obviously, these shoes are simply too fabulous not to get their own post… A sparkling vision and an amazingly non-neutral neutral-toned shoe. These babies will not fade into the background, but are truly spotlight-worthy all on their own.
I’m thinking that these beauties could give even give the Louboutin Eugenie a bit of competition among the Spring Brides shopping set.
Yet another glamorous entry for that dream closet that resides only in my (rather active) imagination.
Thank You, Versace.
I do not recall us featuring this bootie yet on our blog. Which is a pity, really. As some other blogs have noted, Mr. Blahnik’s ’Patoso’ from the Fall 2009 collection, is worth us taking at least a peek or two.
From the Manolo Blahnik website:
I’ve gone absolutely mad for warriors this season … (Fall ‘08) . I’ve put Samurai masks on boots. (FANO) and metal discs that have come straight out of a crusaders suit of armour (PATOSCO). I’ve used shapes that are articulated, and incorporate shields (Satine designed for Christopher Kane, DELIS) for a modern, powerful woman … a kind of medieval Amazon, if that makes any sense.
The Patoso is also briefly referenced in a September 2008 interview with Manolo Blahnik by Carola Long at The Independent:
Blahnik shows me two of his own latest creations: a pair of fine-heeled grey boots covered in metal discs has been inspired by the Crusades, and are reminiscent of chain mail, while a pair of ankle boots with a leather grille around the ankle is “a cross between a ribcage and one of those horrible plants you have in hotel entrances in Hawaii, really common plants. No not an aspidistra, urgh! Every Victorian house had an aspidistra, urgh!” Aspidistras are just one of the things Blahnik expresses a comedic dislike for, along with platform shoes and noise. Every time a phone rings or a siren wails, he announces that he is being persecuted.
Am I the only one who reads or watches Manolo Blahnik interviews and then is automatically reminded of an energetic little teddy bear? Oh my, did I just refer to one of shoe-couture’s own members of ‘designer-royalty’ as a teddy bear? Why, it seems I did.
As of yesterday, the Nieman Marcus website had at least one of these amazing shoes left in stock - a situation that has now, sadly, changed (Which is a shame, really, as the price had dropped from $1395 to $628). So, if you are interested in this style, a stock check of local Nieman Marcus stores, as well as Manolo Blahnik boutiques, will now be in order.
Anyway, from sketch to reality, this is one original shoe. The balance achieved between the metallic elements and softer bow at the ankle is a pretty amazing dichotomy. Overall, this is a fantastic visual feast. It is, unfortunately and unequivocally, not my style. It does, however, own a special place in that wholely imaginary room of my house where all of the most decadent, if not always practical, shoes are kept on immaculate display in their own little glass displays; existing purely for simple visual pleasure. Sigh.
The Nieman Marcus ‘Cusp’ website is having an ‘Up to an Extra 50% off’ sale (Online prices include all discounts).
Some of the featured shoes:
Manolo Blahnik’s Green Satin Buckled Sandal $337.80 $805 @ Cusp.com.
Modern Vintage Buckled Maryjane Pump $94.20 $225 @ Cusp.com
LAMB Platform Cap-Toe Booties $218.40 $520 @ Cusp.com.
Dolce VIta Spectator Maryjane Pump $58.20 $145 @ Cusp.com
As always, have fun & happy shopping!
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