Sketchual Heeling: Our Fave Shoe Designers' Glass Slipper Sketches For Disney's Cinderella

Fairy Tales Do Come True

We've all seen the "Cinderella is proof that a pair of shoes can change your life" graphics ad nauseam by now.  As cliche as they've become, they continue to circulate because those of us who love shoes believe at least partially in the assertion. The simple sight of an amazing shoe can send our heart into overdrive, and if we catch a glimpse of a gorgeous sketch... le swoon. Disney apparently got the memo that we, indeed, believe in the life-transforming power of shoes. Consequently, to commemorate the upcoming live-action Cinderella movie, the foremost fairy tale purveyor has enlisted nine global luxury shoe designers to reimagine the (in)famous glass slipper. They really are the stuff of shoelover fantasies. Here they are:

Alexandre Birman

Salvatore Ferragamo

Jerome C. Rousseau

Jimmy Choo

Nicholas Kirkwood

Stuart Weitzman

René Caovilla

Paul Andrew

Charlotte Olympia

So. which is your favorite?

*Fine Print: Courtesy images.

12 Days of Christmas: Day 9- Nine Made for Dancing

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

On the Ninth Day of Christmas I hope the Shoe Fairy brings to me:
























































Nine pairs made for dancing! Not dance shoes, technically, but some that are their own instant party, like Rene Caovilla's "C5499A" sequined boots or Ginamarco Lorenzi's studded boots that look like someone blew a bunch of bubbles on them. Then there are Giuseppe Zanotti's rainbow jeweled open toed booties and Viktor & Rolf's sequined "sock" booties that instantly reminded us of Michael Jackson in the '80s. Alexander McQueen's jeweled red peep toes have a disco "Dorothy" vibe, and Christian Louboutin's multicolored jeweled peep toed platforms are at once glamorous and whimsical. Chrissie Morris' "Marisa" pumps, with their gold stripes, tassels and beaded heel, have circus appeal, and the origami effect on Diego Dolcini's peep toes make the wearer look like a walking gift. Caged toed shoes were all the rage this year, and Roberto Cavalli's rhinestone pumps are automatic eye catchers.




























































Eight pairs of milky-hued shoes! I'll take tall cream boots, like the "Alta Fifre" by Christian Louboutin, or a pair of "Lizette" bone peep toed ankle boots, by N.Y.L.A. (available at Heels.com). I can also get my Leighton Meester on in Giuseppe Zanotti's white studded cutout booties or channel Blair Waldorf in off white mary janes, like Michael Lewis's "Ellery" pumps. Bruno Bordese's cream 9876 ankle boots will look great with a chunky sweater. A snake-embossed cuff and metal heel add a little edge to these "Rizzo" booties by Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's Elizabeth and James. Asos' "Saxon" booties will look great with skinny jeans. Lastly, Givenchy's taupe wrapped jersey peep toed booties will easily take me into Spring 2010.








































Seven shoes a'shining! "Bionic" pink and purple platform pumps from Ruthie by Ruthie Davis, Carvela's deep purple Sleaze booties, Bright metallics, like Rupert Sanderson's purple Winona pumps and Laurence Dacade's electric blue JO booties, Marc By Marc Jacobs' bright pink 605957 round toed pumps, oxfords by Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti and Christian Louboutin's "Madame Claude" d'orsay peep toed pumps.














































Six Feats of Graying! Thigh high "New Davis" suede boots by Brian Atwood (available at Net-A-Porter), Cesare Paciotti's studded, belted knee boots (avialable at myprestigium.com), Oxford ankle boots in gray suede and leather by Neil Barrett (available at The Corner), and a pair of Sergio Rossi "Fishnet" booties- (from the SS/10 collection), Jeffery Campbell's "Michelle" gray suede pumps (available at Akira Chicago), and Barbara Bui's "Choked Ankle" pumps (available at ShopBop.com).
























Five Golden Rings! Actually, I'd prefer five pairs of golden shoes: a pair of knee-high boots with sculpted heels, like Behnaz Kanani's "Delroba Gold" boots, peep toed gold ankle boots, like Le Silla's limited edition "Mirror" booties and Max Kibardin's "Margot" fringed peep toes, (both available at Gregory's Shoes), a couple of pairs of gold pumps, like Diego Dolcini's metallic pointed pumps (available at FarFetch.com) and KG by Kurt Geiger's gold "Dolly" sequined pumps (available at KurtGeiger.com).



























Four Pairs of Feathered Footwear: Feathered and jeweled booties by Giuseppe Zanotti for Balmain (available at ShopBop.com), Jimmy Choo's "Mable" feather-adorned sandals (available at Saks Fifth Avenue), Bourne's "Hayden" satin peep toes (available at Lord & Taylor), "Carla" peacock feathered sandals by Martinez Valero (available at MartinezValero.com).
















Three "French" pumps... Well 3 pairs by prominent French designer, Roger Vivier.













2 Pairs of Yves Saint Laurent Imperiale boots that go over my knee.

And...
A pair of Nicholas Kirkwood Egypt platforms in purple alligator.