The Data Award is a new awards show that recognizes the world’s best dance dj’s and producers.  The first one was held in Los Angeles last week.  Kelis attended the Data Awards wearing a pair of nude armadillo shoes. They were the best part of the outfit.  I would love to get my hands on a pair of those shoes just to see how they are made.

The hair with it’s spikey crown thing and long tail extension, her makeup and face jewelry, the pink pvc catsuit, complete with sweaty cameltoe, the tuxedo jacket, her date’s space disco costume - I don’t get it. 

The outfit is like Bjork’s swan dress.  Heinous, but it got her photo onto virtually every web site around.  (Including this one.) 

I don’t think this is what Alexander McQueen had in mind for these shoes.

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With the 2010 Sundance Film Festival winding down this weekend, I wanted to post a few photos I took capturing my favorite cold weather style.

Here’s Robert Redford, the founder of Sundance, in his cowboy boots at the opening day press conference. I love how his cowboy boots complement his Western shirt!

Next up is Julianne Moore (with co-star Mark Ruffalo) at the premiere of her new much-praised film The Kids Are All Right. Her black boots with wooden soles look so stylish with her black pants and fuzzy sweater/vest combo. I love how the outfit offsets Julianne Moore’s pale skin and bright red hair!

And finally, a group shot of lovely ladies in great boots! This is the entire cast of Please Give (Amanda Peet, Catherine Keener, Rebecca Hall, Sarah Steeleat, Director Nicole Holofcener, and Oliver Plattat) the film’s premiere. Amanda Peet, Rebecca Hall, and Catherine Keener were all sporting high black boots!

Seeing all of these actresses in great boots makes me want to go shopping! And, of course, Robert Redford has inspired me to buy a new pair of cowboy boots!

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Angelo’s is the kind of place where the owner puts his wife on the phone to say hello to you and give you more information over the phone. It’s that mom-and-pop shop, truly a relic of the past. I worry that someday these shoe repair stores will turn all corporate, but with how difficult and unpleasant the job of fixing shoes can be, I think these small operations will hold out a little while longer. Angelo’s even sells faux-antiquey canes!

It’s located down in the E/V subway stop at 53rd Street and 5th Avenue. For years, I’ve been loyal to pricey Shoe Service Plus, where Vogue sends their shoes and where I’ve gotten many a designer purchase or designer thrift shop find retooled, but with a diminished income, I found myself looking for a new place to go.

Now, I’ve only had one pair of shoes repaired at Angelo’s, and nothing altering the leather. But so far, they did a winner of a job. My beautiful black leather boots with awful soles got a Vibram half-sole, a new rubber heel, a shine, and protective taps on both the toe and heel for a total of $35. They were brand new boots when they came out.

They’re known as the boot specialists, who can tighten or loosen the calf portion of the upper, lower heels and do various other repairs.

During lunch, all the businessmen of Midtown plunk themselves down in chairs like this, chairs that are in underground passageways to Grand Central, chairs in stores like this, chairs even on the street, and get a proper shoe shine. Businessmen in Midtown wouldn’t be caught dead with less shiny shoes than the businessman next to them in meetings. But rarely do I see a woman in these chairs.

Angelo’s also has orthotics, inserts of every kind imaginable, and polish and protectants across the spectrum. Much wider selection than at many other stores. As a shoe accoutrement junky, I’m loving it. I’ve been wearing Pedag inserts for years (despite owning custom-made orthotics that are uncomfortable), but I’ve been thinking about trying these.

And I know my brother will thank me if I get him some of this Sneaker Shampoo for his Dunks. Should probably pick him up some Odor Eater too. You know, it’s the subtle hints that work. Haha.

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I encountered this creative gentleman in Grand Central Terminal, drinking his coffee and waiting for a friend. He wasn’t a native speaker of English, so our interview was limited, but when I asked him where he got his boots he just smiled and said, “London.” Do you know where in London, I asked. “I don’t know. Somewhere. Maybe I think Soho.”

When I pointed to his kilt, top and the studs and rivet, he said, “I made them all.” You made the skirt??? “Yes, I make. I didn’t make jacket, but I put all these in jacket,” he said, pointing to the studs lining the lapels and pockets of his jacket. Wow!

Anyhow, how do you feel about men in pointy, heeled, high boots? Think your man or best friend could carry it off beneath his jeans or with a pair of shorts or a kilt? I’ve been seeing an awful lot of classy leather man-bags around these days and I’m starting to think men’s fashion is getting a little more fun, slowly, bit-by-bit.

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John Paul Gaultier’s theme this year was Mexican.  The story is that he attended an exhibition on Montezuma, the Aztec emperor, last year which set his inspiration for this line.  I had to look at some of these pieces several times.  Some grew on me, others did not.  Let’s have a look. 

I am not feeling these two pieces.

Initially, I didn’t see anything remarkable about this next outfit until I saw the purse.  Then I looked at the shoes.  Finally, I really looked at the suit.  Now I love it. 

How cool is this purse?

The shoes are just as much fun. 

Here is another purse.  I think these purses are wonderful.

While the dress below has a lot of neat components, it comes off more like a costume.

I think this dress is amazing.  Not because it is drop dead gorgeous, but because the workmanship in this dress is so amazing.

So, what do you think?  Yay or nay on this line?  I think I want a margerita for dinner.

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