Shoes Clues: Style Tips from Alexandre Birman

 

A few days ago, I attended Alexandre Birman’s Fashion Week event at Saks. While there, I got a few shoe style tips from Brad Goreski (and shared them HERE). I also got to chat with Mr. Birman (shoe groupie moment!) about which of his shoes a woman should wear to give off a particular impression. He delighted in actually walking through his section of the shoe department and showing me his recommendations. I asked him the same questions as Brad, but his answers were quite different. (No, that gorgeous woman holding the mic isn’t me lol. That’s a reporter from E! Latin America)

S&B: Which shoes should a woman wear on a date to let a man know he should bring his A game?

AB: My patent peep toe platform pump with stingray.

S&B: What about for a job interview?

AB: Well it depends on what kind of job. If it’s a job in fashion…

and if it’s something more formal or conservative, a mid heel pump is better.

S&B: Which of your shoes says a woman is looking for fun?

AB: My black ankle boot is really sexy and fun… especially with a skirt or dress that hits right at mid thigh. It has a narrow opening, so it really hugs the leg.

S&B: Lastly, if she wants to catch the eye of a certain guy, but doesn’t want to seem to fussy?

AB: My black cut out bootie.

Sidenote… I really loved the little gift with purchase set.

 

Technorati Tags: Alexandre Birman,Style Tips,Designer shoes,Celebrity Interviews

Shoe View: NYFW Spring 2012- Alice + Olivia, Betsey Johnson

 

Alice + Olivia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alice + Olivia is known for its ability to inject playful sophistication into easy-to-wear apparel. The brand launched its shoe collection this year, but Spring 2012 represents its first complete line. The shoes presented, like the clothes, were fun and varied in style, but managed not to go too far over the top. There were pumps and sandals with wedge and stiletto heels in various vivid hues. My favorites? The candy colored wedge sandals.

*Images via WWD.com and Elle.com 

 

Betsey Johnson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Betsey Johnson  has a tendency to toy with tutus, tulle and prom queen themes. For Spring 2012, though, she pushed the buck a bit further with her whimsical T&A themed collection. Body-hugging  bra top dresses, sparkly jumpsuits and cigarette pants were paired with baby-doll shoes and lace up booties- all on pole-worthy platforms. Notwithstanding their “working” girl inspirations, the shoes were still more party than prostitute. I’m especially excited about the work boots with glittery platforms.

*Images via WWD.com

 

Technorati Tags: New York Fashion Week,Runway Recap,Betsey Johnson,Alice and Olivia

Shoe View: NYFW Spring 2012 RTW- DKNY, Thakoon, Tommy Hilfiger

 

DKNY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Few designer labels are as “New York” as DKNY. It’s no surprise, then, that its runway collection was presented on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. There’s also no heel silhouette more city-smart than a wedge (except a flat, but who wears those? lol). Any woman who’s navigated the cobblestones of the Meat Packing District or walked a city block in stilettos will tell you that. Therefore, it’s also fitting that DKNY’s shoe collection consisted exclusively of high platform wedges. There was even one in red white and blue camo- either a fitting tribute, or an eerie reference to a tragic day, depending on your perspective.

*Images via ELLE.com 

Thakoon

For Spring 2012, Thakoon Panichgul toyed with the concept of cowboys and Indians- literally blending Western motifs with Bollywood inspirations. The shoes- gold- toed sling backs in exotic skins with cowboy boot references and sensible heels- will easily work with various spring looks, no bandana needed.

*Image via Elle.com

Tommy Hilfiger

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The king of preppy cool’s Spring 2012 RTW collection was a nod to 60s mod with a bit of Pop thrown in. Think glen plaid in blue and orange, bright stripes and kick pleats. On the models’ feet? Boat shoes and loafers- but with high wooden heels and in eye- catching prints. Hilfiger also did camouflage, but his was pink.

*Images via Elle.com

 

Technorati Tags: New York Fashion Week,Spring 2012 RTW,DKNY,Tommy Hilfiger,Thakoon,Runway Fashion

Shoes Clues: Style Tips from Brad Goreski

 

I recently had a brief shoe chat with celebrity stylist and reality TV star, Brad Goreski during Alexandre Birman’s Fashion Week event at SAKS FIFTH AVENUE. After he complimented me on my makeup (which I did all by myself. Hey now!), I asked him for recommendations on which shoes a woman should wear in certain situations to get particular results. Mr. “It’s a Brad Brad World” (premiering on BRAVO in 2012) currently dresses Jessica Alba, a frequent best dressed lister, so I’d say he knows a thing or two.

S&B: What should a woman wear to let a date know he’d better bring his A game?

Brad: A seriously high platform with spikes. (I took creative license and pictured the Ruthie Davis Spikette Deluxe here because Alexandre Birman didn’t do a spiked platform this season)

S&B: And if she’s going to a job interview?

Brad: A pump with personality… like something in a patent or snakeskin. Go with a twist on a classic. (Like this burgundy python number by Alexandre Birman- available at SAKS)

S&B: What about a shoe that says she’s looking for fun?

Brad: Color! Neons… I saw a turquoise snakeskin loafer around here… (Here they are… Alexandre Birman python loafers)

(S&B sidebar- I think the loafer’s awesome, but if you’re like me and have a high heel habit, maybe go for something like this Jerome C. Rousseau Isy sandal)

S&B: OK, here’s the last question… what should a woman wear to catch the eye of a special guy- but not seem too fussy?

Brad: A sleek ankle boot. Elongate those legs, honey! (I think he’d approve either of these booties from Alexandre Birman.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wondering what brad had on his feet? Here ya go!

Oh… and my makeup… #youcare (subtle silver eye with a candy pink lip… I need to work on my photography skills because you can barely even see my makeup in this picture.)

Technorati Tags: stylist tips,Brad Goreski,Alexandre Birma,Celebrity stylist,celebrity fashion

Shoe View: NYFW Spring 2012- Christian Siriano, Faster by Mark Fast & More

 

Christian Siriano

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Images via ELLE.com

Fashion editors from Style.com to Women’s Wear Daily mentioned how far the Project Runway alum still has to go before he can be taken seriously as a fashion designer. Still, his shoes for Spring 2012 are no laughing matter. With curved Tortoise shell heels and exotic skins in brights like orange and citrine they’re the perfect combination of serious and whimsical.

 

Faster by Mark Fast

*Images via Milkmade.com, taken by Amanda Hakan & Jesse Adler, powered by Leica Camera.

Bright pastels (think peach, sea green and lavender with a jolt of electricity) ruled this collaboration with ALDO Rise. Contrasting cut outs took platform pumps from standard to stand out. Meanwhile, The same last was covered in what seemed to be opaque nylon with sheer panels to create over the knee boots.

 

Alejandro Ingelmo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Images via Milkmade.com and fashionworldz.com

Mirror, mirror, on the… shoe? Seems that’s what Alejandro Ingelmo had in mind when he designed this collection, which includes shoes so shiny you can almost see your reflection. There were classic pumps, pump/ bootie hybrids and his signature tiered ankle boots, some in metallic leather and others in suede.

 

Alexander Wang

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Images via Elle.com 

Dark. Erotic. Exotic. All apt descriptions for the shoes that walked down Alexander Wang’s runway. By dark, I don’t only refer to the colors (there were actually some white pointy pumps), but more a mood of mystery. They were simultaneously tough and feminine.

Technorati Tags: New York Fashion Week,Spring 2012 RTW,Christian Siriano shoes,Alexander Wang shoes,Faster by Mark Fast,Alejandro Ingelmo

Shoe View: NYFW Spring 2012 RTW- Peter Som, Christian Cota

 

Peter Som

It seems the high heeled loafer trend will carry into Spring 2012, and Charlotte Olympia’s versions for Peter Som’s runway combined fun and luxury, using exotic stingray leather, bright colors and delicate metallic details.

*Image via ELLE.com

Christian Cota

 

 

 

 

 

The cutout platform booties have a futuristic flair, but I’m absolutely in love with the heavily hued platform pumps. Both are part of Cota’s collaboration with ALDO Rise, so they may actually be within reach for most of us next Spring.

*Images via Women’s Wear Daily

Technorati Tags: New York Fashion Week,Charlotte Olympia,Aldo Shoes,Runway fashion,Designer Collaborations

Shoe View: NYFW Spring 2012 RTW- Chushnie et Ochs and Douglas Hannant

 

Cushnie et Ochs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Metallic pin heels on bright platform pumps? YES please! Style.com’s Alison Baenen criticized the design duo for pairing pink and canary yellow dresses with matching looks, but she also applauded their fine tailoring. I agree that the dresses were gorgeous. Still, the shoes, a collaboration between ALDO Rise and Cushnie et Ochs, stole my heart. *Images via Fashionologie.com.

Douglas Hannant

You’d think neutral leather, coupled with rope and raffia would look rugged. Yet this shoe is quite feminine and fun.

Technorati Tags: Cushnie et Ochs,Douglas Hannant,New York Fashion Week,Spring 2012 RTW,Runway fashion,Fashion Week shoes

Shoe View: NYFW Spring 2012 RTW- Mimi Plange

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seriously, can I have the blue ones with the tasseled laces and fuchsia heels NOW? Mimi Plange collaborated with Manolo Blahnik on the shoes for her collection.

*Source: Women’s Wear Daily

 

Technorati Tags: NYFW Spring 2012,New York Fashion Week,Manolo Blahnik,Mimi Plange

Shoe News: Loeffler Randall / Suno collaborate for Fashion Week

 

Apparel brand, Suno, will present it’s first New York Fashion Week show on September 9 at Milk Studios and will be collaborating with Loeffler Randall on shoes for the show. According to Footwear News, the two styles created are caged sandals with floral prints and were based on the idea of “a shoe within a shoe.”

*Image via Footwear News

Technorati Tags: Designer Collaborations,New York Fashion Week,Runway Fashion,Loeffler Randall,Suno

Runway Recap: NYFW RTW Fall 2011- Feb 12

 

The Shoe Standouts

Libertine (Modern takes on saddle shoes)

(Images via Style.com)

Kimberly Ovitz (Citrine punches)

(Images via Elle.com)

Technorati Tags: shoes,designer shoes,runway fashion,New York Fashion Week