Heart and Sole: How to Shoe Shop & Help Beat Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Awareness initiatives have attracted lots of controversy in recent years, especially the ones that donate partial sales of certain items to research organizations or charities. It's hard to sort through them all to find which ones are trustworthy. Members of the Shoes N Booze team have lost loved ones to Breast Cancer and have also gotten to keep loved ones who survived the disease thanks to research and new medical developments.  That said, we hope the following offers are good ones... plus you get cute shoes.

Nine West's 3 Ways to Support the Cause

Nine West teamed up with Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, the nonprofit division of the CFDA that strives to provide women with reliable health information and quality care to fight and prevent breast cancer. They provide 3 options:

1. Shop: Nine West will donate $25 to FTBC for every $125 you spend from October 15-21.
2. Upload: Nine West will donate $10 (toward their $275,000 goal) whenever you upload a pic of you wearing blue shoes to twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #9WFTBC.
3. DONATE

Unfortunately, Nine West's limited-edition blue suede NW♥FTBC pump is sold out online. Because there's no denying the importance of blue suede shoes. I mean, Elvis sang an entire anthem to them!

Shoes of Prey's Pink Hope

For every order of pink shoes made during the month of October, Shoes of Prey will donate $25 to Breast Cancer Awareness (Bright Pink in the US, Pink Hope in Australia and Breakthrough in the UK). The best part? The fact that YOU get to design your shoes. 

QVC Presents FFANY Shoes on Sale

Shop a specially curated selection of styles donated by some of your (and our) favorite designers (they're 50% off the suggested retail price), and 80% of the purchase price will go toward breast cancer research and education (Click here for the entire collection). Over the last 11 years, FFANY has donated $45 million to various research and care programs (click here for this year's beneficiaries).

Schutz Shoes "Pinktober" Pumps

When you purchase a pair of these hot pink nubuck Caiolea pumps (dubbed "Pinktober") during the month of October, Schutz will make a donation (they don't specify how much) to National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.  There aren't a lot of details on this one... shop at your own discretion.

We suggest doing a bit of your own research before choosing where to put your dollars. Your heart may be in the right place, but if you want your money to do more than feed your wardrobe, double check. 

Much Ado about Shoes: FFANY June 2011

 

For shoe lovers such as moi, the FFANY Shoe Expo is like a style-savvy friend with whom we only chat every few months. When we do get together, however, it’s always a blast. Plus, she’s in the know and shares the inside scoop (but only if she trusts you). This year, many brands were wary of letting people take pictures (thanks to style thieves). However, I thoroughly enjoyed checking out some of my favorite brands’ interpretations of shoe trends for this and upcoming seasons. Here’s what I spied with my shoe-lusting eye (WARNING: Long post ahead):

Demure for Sure

In the coming season, things will stay pretty prim. With their bows, ankle straps and dainty details, ladylike looks balance out the rock-glam and menswear inspired looks that have dominated lately.(Clockwise: C-Label’s Arnie-2 (blue) and Peyton-12 (pink), ankle strap print sandal by Candela, Sandal with sparkly strap by Schutz)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twinkle Toes

The sparkly shoe trend also seems to be sticking around for a while. You may remember a past post featuring Bordello Teeze  pump… Well lately, lots of brands have been offering slightly toned-down and smoothed out alternatives, and glam gals like me can’t get enough. (Left to right: Miss Me Vibe-2 pump, Charles David ankle strap glitter pump)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fringe Binge

We’ve seen fringed footwear here and there lately, but for Fall 2011, it’s going to be in full force. (left to right: C-Label Dainty-5, Luichiny High Life.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stepping it Up

We’ve been walking tall for quite some time in platform peep toes, pumps and other styles. In the last couple of seasons, designers have kicked it up a notch with double platforms and semi-strippertastic styles. Shoe Fairy, I’ll take these, please! (Clockwise: Leopard lace up bootie by N.Y.L.A., Brea T-strap by Francheska, Tara tan tied sandal by Fever Shoes, Green Suede pump by Pour la Victoire, Tasha fuchsia sandal by Fever Shoes.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Block Party

Color blocking is HUGE for Summer 2011 and will continue to keep things fun in the coming seasons. (Clockwise: Color block ankle boot and multi-color sandal by Luichiny, Color block pumps, blue/ black platforms, pink/ red platforms from Charles by Charles David, pink/ orange pumps from Kelsi Dagger, blue/ green pumps by Schutz)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Horse Play

The perfect luxe touch for fall, pony hair adds extra personality and texture to some of the upcoming season’s most chic styles. (Clockwise: black ankle boot by Luichiny, lace up booties by Pour la Victoire, splatter-look bootie by Plomo, Leopard print d’orsay pump by Charles David.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Had enough? Want more? (I’ve still got a few waiting in the wings.. Think crazy wedges, snakeskin and ultra brights by brands like Jefferey Campbell, Schutz and Butter shoes.) Have a question about when/ where you can buy a pair you’ve seen here? Let me know!

Technorati Tags: FFANY,Shoe trends,shoe trade shows,double platform shoes,pony hair shoes

Much Ado about Shoes: FFANY part 2 Hilton Hotel and Nine West

Tales of a Trade Show

Earlier this month, I attended the FFANY New York Shoe Expo at New York's Flatotel, Hilton New York Hotel and various member showrooms (see my faves from the Flatotel here). In addition to swooning over the shoe offerings for S/S 2011, I had the opportunity to chat with representative from various brands (which means the inside scoop on where to buy the shoes, and maybe future giveaways, so stay tuned). Here are the shoes that made me squeal at the Hilton and the Nine West showroom:

You may remember the buzz surrounding Q by Pasquale's Glass Q Shoe. For S/S 2011, they're offering a new line of more accessible, more mainstream shoes with Murano glass accents and beautifully painted soles. I love the fact that there's a thin, clear rubber layer under the footbed that allows you to marvel at the artistic painting without scratching it when you walk. I'm hoping the Shoe Fairy delivers one or all three of these (I wasn't allowed to take photos the day of, but my contacts have emailed me images since then): 

Elizabeth Brady's designs straddled the line between conservative chic and trendy touches with their ruffles, platforms and not-quite-neon pops of color. The retail prices will be really reasonable, too! These three swept me off my feet:

Enigma, a brand known for celeb-worthy styles at super-low prices, will keep things fun for Summer 2011, but I was more caught up in their offerings for Fall 2010. Strippertastic Platforms, sky-high heels, bright booties? I'm sold!

Nine West's Spring/ Summer 2011 lineup will be a brightly colored and sometimes sparkly nod to Marylin Monroe, Grease and other iconic Americana.

We may be feeling the breezes of an approaching Autumn, but I'm shoely looking forward to Spring 2011 now.

Much Ado About Shoes: FFANY Spring 2010 Faves from the Flatotel

Looking Ahead

Last week, retailers and press swarmed the Hilton New York Hotel, Flatotel and various shoe showrooms for FFANY's New York Shoe Expo.  Most brands were showing Spring/ Summer 2011, but some had a few pairs left for Autumn/ Winter 2010. Most shoe lovers anxiously await Fashion Week each season, but I get just as excited about the Shoe Expo. It provides an opportunity to meet some of the designers, connect with smaller, lesser known brands and touch/ try the shoes. My friend, Jewell (the Fashion Socialite) and I had a great time. I'll be posting interviews and pairing some of the shoes I saw with cocktails once they're available for purchase. However, I thought you'd like a tidbit of what made me swoon in the meantime. 

B by Aperire's Fall offerings, with their walk-all-day heel heights, bright colors and playful designs, are a great way to fight the cool-season blahs. These are on to-buy list (and available now for $230- $250 retail):

B by Aperire Biggie

B by Aperire Blow

B by Aperire Bio

Killah, another brand characterized by its whimsy and affordability is serving up lace, chiffon and other girly details in electrifying hues. Here's are my faves for next Spring:

Australian brand, I Love Billy, will be doing a line of floral canvas, heels, flats and oxfords next spring. This pair of darling platforms caught my eye. Get this, they'll retail for $100 or less!

(More after the jump)