Shoes Clues: St. Patrick’s Day Shoe Suggestions

 

Lucky Shoe

Whether you’re watching a parade, hunting for leprechauns, searching for a four leaf clover or enjoying a St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl, you’ll be involved in some type of shenanigans today.  While others may don green sweaters, little shamrock pins or silly green hats to avoid getting pinched, you’d rather green shoes than green sleeves. Here are a few suggestions for whatever activity you’ve chosen tonight.

Q by Pasquale Sandal

Perhaps you’re attending a swank soiree tonight. In that case, this Q by Pasquale sandal, with its delicate murano glass accents, alluring ankle strap and perforated ruffle detail, will be all the green you need to keep Irish (and all other) eyes smiling your way. (More info available at the newly relaunched qbypasquale.com)

 

Steve Madden Karmena Pumps

If you’re partying tonight, a pair of kelly green patent platform pumps will be your best bet. The Karmena by Steve Madden’s 5.5 inch heel puts the foot at quite an incline, but the 1 inch platform adds the comfort you’ll need to dance the night away. (Available at SteveMadden.com for $99)

 

 

ASOS Pave the Way Pumps

If you and your crew have decided to keep it simple and guzzle Guiness at your favorite bar all night, you’ll want the extra support of a wedge heel to keep you stable. These green suede Pave the Way pumps by ASOS are casual but chic choice. (Doesn’t the raffia wedge screams Spring?) They have a heel height of almost 5 inches, so make sure you snag a bar stool. Oh, and make sure it’s a classy bar so no one spills their beer or steps on your green suede shoes. (Available at ASOS.com for $98.62)

 

Poetic License Summer Bloom Pumps

Pub crawls call for lower heels than other activities. That doesn’t mean you can’t still be cute. Go for a peep toe like the Summer Bloom by Poetic License. The 3.5 inch heel and .75 inch platform will make staggering from stop to stop more manageable. (Plus, it IS Almost There Thursday, anyway.) The pink flower accent will keep things pretty, too. (Available at zappos.com for $134)

 

Keds Champion Ox Sneakers

I don’t usually recommend sneakers here, but there really is no other appropriate footwear for a shamrock search. Besides, everyone needs a classic pair of Keds, and these green Champion Ox skippies are only $19.99 at dELias.com.

 

 

 

Bordello Teeze Glitter Pumps

Those of you hunting for leprechauns might want to consider something sparkly. That way you if you find one can hypnotize him into taking you to his pot o’ gold. And if you don’t find one, I’m sure you’ll find a guy willing to at least buy you a drink. These Teeze pumps by Bordello are sure to get you lucky no matter what you’re looking for tonight with their 5.75 inch heel and 1.75 inch platform. (Available at CSNstores.com for $73)

Technorati Tags: shoes,green shoes,St. Patrick's Day

Wear or Beware? Alexander McQueen Sculpted Wedge sandals

 

Gold Leafing

Two things that will never go out of style (at least in my humble opinion): T-straps and metallics. However, when you put them on a 1 1/5 inch platform and add a 5 1/2 inch wedge heel that’s sculpted to look like leaves wafting in the wind, it becomes a masterpiece (available at Neiman Marcus). This Alexander Mcqueen wedge from the S/S ‘11 collection is definitely a sight. The question, though, is could/ would you wear it? If so, with what and to where? I’ve got some ideas, but I’d like to know yours. Haute couture or hot mess?

Technorati Tags: fashion,shoes,Alexander McQeen,Spring 2011 fashion

Shoe News: Yotam Solomon’s BP Oil Spill Collection

 

Slick Chic

 

From April to September of this year, many of us watched news footage of crude oil flowing into the Gulf of Mexico from a damaged deep sea oil well. Fishermen lost their livelihoods, and seaside businesses were forced to close. There was a miles-wide slick in the ocean, and marine life was damaged to extents, the depths of which we still don’t know. Now that the damaged well has been capped, much of the news hype has curtailed. However, that region is still in dire need of help.


Though the plight of the Gulf Coast may have faded into the background of the collective conscious, Yotam Solomon’s Spring 2011 BP Oil Spill Collection aims not only to bring more awareness to the cause, but to also raise funds. The line, which consists of both footwear and ready to wear apparel (The Selen bootie and and Moly pump are pictured) . “I created from inspiration around the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, as this is a major event in our decade- and even century,” said the designer. Pieces were influenced by the sights of oil slicked feathers, dead fish and other images.

Proceeds from sales of the BP Oil Spill collection will be given to Defenders of Wildlife and Natural Resources Defense Council because of their efforts in aiding the Gulf’s recovery.

Technorati Tags: shoes,Spring 2011 fashion,BP Oil Spill,Gulf of Mexico,Yotam Solomon,fashion for charity

Runway Recap: London Fashion Week Favorites- Sass & Bide

Stepping Sassy

The Fashion Week frenzy has swept across The Pond and landed in London. Sass & Bide showed the most eye-catching shoes on the first day of London Fashion Week. The salmon pink heels with accented backs and patterned pumps and booties were hot!

*Images via Londonfashionwee.co.uk

Runway Recap: NYFW SS '11 Favorites- Daividelfin, Naeem Khan

 

El Fin

The closing day for New York Fashion Week presented pretty interesting choices in the shoe department. Davidelfin sent metallic and color blocked Christian Louboutins down the runway. Those, along with the platform sandals at Naeem Khan were among my favorites of the day.

Apparently there was a "no black" rule on the Davidelfin runway. Instead, the designer opted for navy, cobalt and teal. The androgynous clothes were excitingly conservative, and the Christian Louboutin platform pumps and booties were an apt accent. 

Naeem Khan chose to complete his looks with boots, booties and platform sandals. My eyes were immediately drawn to the patent sandals with contrasting platforms.

Runway Recap: NYFW S/S 11 Favorites- Douglas Hannant + Tory Burch

A Step Above...

It seems white is the new "black", sartorially speaking, according to various runway reports. One can also say that for Spring 2011, pastel is the new neutral, and the new "it" height for heels is noticeably lower than in past seasons. Yesterday's New York Fashion Week standouts were Tory Burch and Douglas Hannant.

Luckily for high steppers, Tory Burch still believes in putting women on high pedestals. She took a new approach to the classic espadrille, using twine the platform of her super high-heeled neutral sandals. This style will surely inspire rendition by lower-priced brands.

The shoes on the Douglas Hannant were an ode to Spring gardens. Orange, aqua and light pink sandals with ankle straps and butterfly appliques literally put a bit of Spring in the models' steps.

*Images via Elle.com and WWD.com

Runway Recap: NYFW S/S '11 Favorites- Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte + Ruthie Davis for Dennis Basso

Someone Else's Shoes

It seems that for Spring 2011, most designers are departing from the notion of show-stealing shoes, opting instead for more subdued silhouettes. There were a few sparks, though, on the Rodarte and Dennis Basso runways. I guess when your shoes are designed by Ruthie Davis for Nicholas Kirkwood, though, they're bound to be eye-catching.

 

Ruthie Davis's platforms were the perfect partner for Dennis Basso's collection of pouffy pastel mini dresses and skirts. The pastels connote a bit of innocence, but the PVC straps also nod to something a bit more mature. 

Nicholas Kirkwood's designs for Rodarte were, as usual, intricately designed and fairly ornate.

Shoe News: Jason Wu's Runway Shoes at Bergdorf Goodman

The Early Bird Gets The Wu

This past Friday, Jason Wu sent architecturally inspired shoes down the runway with his Spring 2011 collection. They were actually an S&B favorite of that day (as noted on the Runway Recap). If you act fast, you can pre-order your favorite pair from Bergdorf Goodman until September 22. If you're feeling generous, I'll take the Simone Platform in purple and red, size 8 please!

Runway Recap: NYFW SS 11 Favorites- Halston and Alexandre Herchcovitch

Sweet Sensations

My favorite shoes from the fourth day of New York Fashion Week: Halston and Alexandre Herchcovitch. 

The Halston collection, with its wispy fabrics and flowing silhouettes, stayed true to the brand's iconic 70s style. The shoes, red or tan leather sandals on tall wooden platforms, were- of course- an amazing complement.

In an almost counter-intuitive move for today's style sensibilities, Alexandre Herchcovitch paired a mod-meets-new-millenium collection with spike heeled platforms to create matchy, yet fun ensembles. Candy red, along with black, tan and sherberty hues of green, yellow and blue made for a sweet parade.

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)