February 2008 Archives

It's hard to believe that in just four years, designer Tory Burch grew her business from a tiny operation out of an Upper East Side apartment to a a wildly successful contemporary line, boasting six freestanding boutiques as well as a booming wholesale business. Her "Reva" line of balet flats have grown ever popular the last two years and as such, we chose these cute black pair as our shoes of the day. We love how the clear side detailing permits either a dressy or casual look.

You can find these Tory Burch Reva Balet Flats at Downtowngal Shoes for $139.99 (Retail $225).

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All pointers are hinting that this is the first season in which accessories aren't just key; they are the key. We aren't going to argue...after seeing this Spring's shoe intro's from every designer on the planet, who could disagree.

Jimmy Choo's, Tamara Mellon had this to say about the trend in accessory dominance, "When we started, there was no hardware on accessories. There wasn't even much color. But look what's happened to fashion in the last decade; it's become so much more casual. The average woman's default item is jeans. How does she set herself apart? By having the incredible statement of bags and shoes. She might buy one pretty dress that's well within her comfort zone, but then she can push it by wearing it with a heavy shoe to make it look modern." The latest techniques mean an exotic skin can be so soft that a future heirloom made from crocodile doesn't have to be stiff and formal; it can be a hobo-style sack. "So in that sense, yes" says Mellon, "crocodile is the new cashmere."

As Rachel Zoe writes in her manual, Style A to Zoe, "Accessories are everything. To me, they're more important than the clothes....Accessories are the antidote to the blahs...Slip into a pair of supersexy red patent stilettos and tell me otherwise."

So, buckle up your knee-high gladiators and grab your bigger-than-a-bread-box Baguette---extras are effectively excessive!

Story courtesy of Lisa Armstrong; Fashion Editor of Times in London

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With moderate temps returning to our parts', we fell in love with these cute Kate Spade Sandals. We are especially fond of the red, white, and blue straps across the top and sides of the shoe as well as the little red leather bow near the front. We decided these shoes will inspire a new swimsuit purchase with our new "ready-for-Spring" figures!

Listed at $99.99, they are a steal compared to the normal retail price of $199.00.

You can find them over at Downtowngal Shoes

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While certain footwear designs are embraced by the market, others simply remain a creative expression for designers, existing as a moment-in-time example of experimentation.

"I've been playing around with the idea of [heel-less shoes] since the 1970's, and I always find it intriguing," said designer Manolo Blahnik. "It's not something that I do thinking of sales, it's actually quite the opposite - it offers me the chance to move away from what people expect from me."

Blahnik has created several heel-less shoes, including the Bhutan (pictured above) from his spring '06 collection, which is currently on display in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the Costume Institute exhibit.

"The fact that you don't really see that many people walking around the streets in heel-less shoes proves that [while] many might connect to them, they are not exactly rushing out to buy them," said Blahnik. "But when we did Arunium [another heel-less shoe] a few years ago, it sold quite well in Europe, though some [customers] were buying them as objects."

So, what do you think? Is this the year that the heel-less shoe becomes more than just a "dustable" and is actually worn? Several designers like Marc Jacobs have launched a slew of heel-less designs this Spring awaiting the "pent-up-demand" for such designs. I guess time will tell!

Story courtesy of Clair Windsor andFootwear News

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Ok, we love CL's and the Spring trend of adding Cork to sandals and wedges and everything in-between. It was no coincidence that today's picks were once again donning a lovely cork heel in a wonderful peep-toe (they are making a comeback dontcha-know!) style. You can find these Christian Louboutin Brown Suede Ptatform Peep Toe's at Downtowngal Shoes for $449.99 (Retail $599).

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In NBC's new drama "Lipstick Jungle", we have all been waiting to see the designer references we loved on Sex and The City. Although not as blatant, the show does offer nice references to fashion and design as seen from a working woman's (executive) perspective. According to a recent article in Footwear News, Christian Louboutin has made it on the set via Brook Shields, who plays movie studio exec Wendy Healy.

Word has it that Shields is sporting the Louboutin's from her personal stash after declining the show's stylists on-set suggestions and recommendations. Leven Rambin, an actress on the show, commented that Shields denied the stylists designer choice for her "purple velvet Louboutins she just purchased earlier that day at Barneys."

Images courtesy of NBC.com

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Jimmy Choo opened its first store in South Africa on Feb. 1 in the historical Victoria and Alfred Waterfront shopping complex in Capetown. The interior of the shop, conceptualized by Jimmy Choo President Tamara Mellon, was inspired by a 1940's boudoir and spans nearly 265 square feet, showcasing shoes and bags.

For those of you stateside wanting an exotic locale to shop for your favorite Jimmy Choo selections from the latest Spring's styles, then book your flight now!

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As Spring draws every closer, puddle splashing in these cute "Swellie" Rain Boots by Lilly Pulitzer is something we can't wait to do. With removable Pink Fleece Liners and a Lilly-esque Elephant Pattern, these little gems are as functional as they are fashionable. Listed at $79.00, they are a steal compared to the normal retail price of $140.00.

You can find them over at Downtowngal Shoes

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As we covered last week, Cork, Fishet, and Feathers have made their way into this year's Spring Shoe Collections. As if that wasn't enough, designers have focused on the much neglected heel by adding exotic detailing with museum like amenities. We were a little taken back by this focus as (in seasons past) most of the embellishments and details have usually been found on the top of the shoe.

One theory is that designers felt the rest of the shoe was neglected because this season--the most innovative designs have been found on the heels. Case in point: (pic ref #1)The detailed heel on these Dior Metallic Calfskin Platform Slingbacks is literally a work of art.

An ideal pick for spring is the Prada Floral Heeled Peep Toe (pic ref #2). The charming flower heel is such a wonderful touch and really makes this otherwise simple pump something special.

And last, but not least, we love these Miu Miu Satin T-Strap Jeweled Sandals (pic ref #3). The metallic heel is adorned with stones that have a distinct Art Deco feel.

These new embellished heels probably aren't the best choice for a long stroll in the park, but they are certain to be a prized addition to your collection. They're also proof that a fashionable exit, with the back of your heel flashing as you leave, is just as important as a grand entrance.

(Via Neiman Marcus.)

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Manolo Blahnik revelas he doesn't understand the vogue for clumpy shoe shapes. As purveyor of some of the finest footwear the world has ever seen, Manolo Blahnik reveals he is less than impressed with the recent vogue for clumpy shoe shapes and chunky heels. 'They don't even look like shoes,' the designer says. 'It's like talking in Chinese. I don't understand them at all. The past few years have been aesthetic hell for me. Even Daphne Guinness has made herself look ridiculous in monstrous shoes. It's because designers have forgotten about the importance of the harmony of extremes.' And the modern media doesn't fare much better, in his opinion. 'I'm totally confused, more...

(Via Vogue.)

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Last week we wrote about Cork showing-up in the latest Spring designers from Louboutin to Manolo Blahnik. It was no coincidence that Today's picks were in our favorite color **and** accented with a lovely cork heel. You can find these Prada Platform Wedge Sandals at Downtowngal Shoes for $169.99 (Retail $499).

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The luxury designer labels, hit by the credit crisis, want us to keep spending, and while we seem to have reached saturation point with the number of bags on offer, footwear was, until last year, relatively untapped.

Not any more. We are now bombarded with images from the catwalk of multi-coloured platforms and wedges in weird and wonderful shapes, fashioned out of ever more exotic skins. Barely a week has gone by when there hasn't been a new shoe trend the gladiator, the caged platform, the shoe boot to swoon over in the pages of Grazia magazine.

WOMEN have begun to learn, for the first time, the names of shoe 'couturiers', such as British designer Nicholas Kirkwood, French maestro Christian Louboutin and American favourite of the stars, Brian Atwood. According to Holli Rogers, head of retail at Net-a- Porter, which sells labels only at the top end of the market: 'We have seen an incredible increase in sales of footwear. Women are spending more to attain better design and craftsmanship Bottega Veneta is a great arbiter of this.

(Via Daily Me.)

Looking for a nice elegant sandal for a night on the town? We spotted these Michael Kors Watch Chain Sandals recently unveiled as part of his Spring Collection. We love the unique watch detailing that is sure to spice-up any dress or skirt.

(Via Nieman Marcus Insite.)

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Ok, since I live with two dogs, I really don't have anyone to impress this Valentines Day, but **if** I did---you would find me wearing these. With fluffy feathers on the toe, these red suede heels from Kate Spade are perfect for my imaginary Valentines Evening!

(Via Downtowngal Shoes.)

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Have you seen the latest spring shoes? The