Top of the World Design

Even though the Scandinavian countries are renowned for their design aesthetic, I feel they are one area of the world that doesn't get nearly enough attention in the shoe world.

In America, it can be challenging to hear about and buy from these designers as they are not carried in many stores here.  If they don't have an online shop, it's almost impossible to buy from them, which is sad, because there are some amazing and whimsical shoes coming out of these countries.

Finland designer, Minna Parikka is a long favorite due to her uber-feminine designs that range from sweet and girly to strong and sexy.

I am now totally smitten with Fam Irvoll from Norway.  Her clothes are over the top, giddy, colorful and amazingly fun.  Tongue-in-cheek, yes, but with wit as well.  I was totally pining over the "Hope He Calls" booties above.  Sadly they are out of my size.  Sad face. But you can bet I'll be checking back for her new collections.

Aase Hopstock, also from Norway, has gorgeous classic shoes that just ooze an almost 1940s sophistication. She just showed a collection in 2010 and looks to have the stuff to become a breakout name in the industry. Her limited production runs ensure you'll have a collectible design that will be timeless.

It's not every day that you see a furniture design duo turn their sights to footwear but Swedish designer Cate Högdahl and her Spanish counterpart Nelson Ruiz-Acal of Cate & Nelson have created a funky yet, I think, sensual shoe - the Spline. I love the cozy way it envelopes and caresses your ankle.

There are tons more designers in this area.  I really need to do some further exploration.  If you have a favorite too, please let me know!

Feature Shoe - Miu Miu Spring 2007 RTW Double-strap Mary Jane

Does everyone remember the Miu Miu Spring 2007 Ready-to-Wear collection.  Probably what is most memorable for me were the Lindsay Lohan ads and the great shoes, including the satin contrast-toe platforms and the double-strap mary janes.

I think this was the beginning of my love for Miu Miu.  Since then they have had amazing shoes every season.  I typically try to get at least one pair.

I waited for a while to get any of these even though I was totally smitten with the double strap mary janes.  I especially loved the silver and the baby blue.  When I finally got around to calling the Miu Miu store in New York it was near the end of the season.  I asked if they had anything left in my size and they said they had limited sizes left.  When they said they had a 6 in silver... and marked down... I pounced!!!

I've searched all over the internet and never see any non-runway shots of these shoes so here we go!  They need to be curated.

I'd also still love to get my hands on a pair of the sky blue version.  I've been looking for ages.  So if you see any, let me know!

A Tempting Tease

If you were on Twitter today, you may have heard some whispers of some shoes that just arrived via my Fairy Shoe God-sister (she's too young to be my godmother), The Shoe Girl ...

Whatever could they be???

Just a few sneaky shots. You'll have to wait for the full reveal!

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: Arise Magazine African Collective - Part III

I was so excited to get a seat at the Arise Magazine African Collective Part III show this season. I was going to go last season but had to leave early and missed it. And this was a beautiful show.

Taking place in three parts with three designers spanning First Light, Noon and Midnight, the show space was conceptual and had great depth.

I have each segment on video with the final walk through showing all of the looks.

The first segment is Black Coffee from South Africa. This show featured the most amazing coats that were so oversized and lush. While they were wool, it was great to see a warm luxury look without the use of fur.

The Noon segment was Loin Cloth & Ashes from Tanzania. I loved the translation of the origami bird motif were pulled through to the folds and cuts of the clothes as well as in the accessories.

The third segment was Deola Sagoe from Nigeria. This collection was unique in its inspirations from Maasai warriors combined with 18th century European military uniforms. You would think those would be incongruous from one another but the intricacy of each complimented the other.

The close -

There are some additional still shots online. Check them out:

Here at Zimbio

At Posh Glam

At Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week site

At BellaNinja - Black Coffee, Loin Cloth & Ashes, Deola Sagoe

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: Katy Stern Venexiana Fall 2010

I was excited to see the Kati Stern Venexiana show while I was at Fashion Week. And I was not disappointed. While I was sad to see so much fur as a part of the show, which for some reason I wasn't expecting, the evening wear was gorgeous.

There was a beautiful range of fabrics which is what stood out the most to me. The range of black, cream and gold, as well as navy, sage and lavender was elegant but in a very refined way. The show featured several dresses in this striking gold.



But I loved the patterns...

This mix of colors was lovely in person.

Click to enlarge and see the beautiful flounce on the bodice.

This very sparkly dress was a bit of a stand-alone during the show but you had to admit it jumped out at you.

The burned out velvet was a great contrast to the lightness of the skirt.

I love this oversize and shimmery plaid.

I'm not typically a fan of the mermaid style but I loved the pleated inset in the back.

I need a place to wear a big princess-y skirt like this.

While most of the dresses were longer and more formal, I loved this sassy dress with the two-tier ruffles

But the showstopper of the night was this lavender and black dress. It's hard to tell in a still image but this dress moved! Those tiers were amazing and I was in awe. I need a good long entrance, a party to wear it to, and that dress. I mean, damn!

I don't have nearly enough opportunity to dress formal anymore but just knowing there are dresses like these out there makes me happy.

More images to be found on my NYFW Fall 2010 Flickr set.

Imitation = Flattery?

Typically when I do an "Inspriation = Flattery?" post I'm talking about how a company is knocking off or heavily leveraging the design of another company or designer. But what I am seeing more and more (I'm sure you are too) are celebrity lines somewhat claiming to be based on the spokesperson's style but in reality reproducing the real designer pieces they wear in public.

And with the "celebrity" blogger gaining more and more prominence, it was bound to happen in the blogging realm too. The J. Aldridge by Sea of Shoes collection at Urban Outfitters is really one of the first... I'm sure more are to follow.

Now right off the bat, I am not knocking Jane from Sea of Shoes and I'm entirely basing this on my own opinion and perceptions combined with the PR where Jane states that she designed the shoes based on what she has in her closet. That's more than most companies will say! I just find it interesting that these companies (not just this particular instance) will dumb down and knock off a designer style rather than think up new pretty shoes on their own. I will buy cute shoes at any price point but I don't want lame substitutes.



As stated in the UO press release:

"Jane Aldridge may be just 17 years old, but the Dallas-based fashion blogger has an impressive global following on her personal style blog, Sea of Shoes. "Ever since I've reached my full shoe size I've been fanatical about collecting shoes," says Aldridge. "That's how my blog got started, as a means of chronicling my addiction to beautiful footwear and the evolution of my personal style," she adds.

The magnetic Texas teen has to wear a school uniform five days a week with a one and a half inch heel rule, but outside of class, flats are the last thing you'll see her wearing. From YSL cage heels and Chanel bow-tie booties to Margiela clogs, Aldridge pairs her favored heels with equally envied outfits. And now, she has found another creative outlet for her passion; designing shoes herself, with the help of Urban Outfitters.

Launching next month, J. Aldridge by Sea of Shoes is a capsule collection of three styles, exclusive to Urban Outfitters. Dramatic knee-high brown leather peep-toe boots feature top-stitched detailing and lacing at the front, black gladiator heels with studs and twin buckle straps, and lace-up, pointy skimmers. "I'm really excited to bring my designs to Urban Outfitters," says Aldridge. "The inspiration for this collection is a mish-mash of some of the elements of my favorite pairs—sort of Victoriana meets gladiator warrior."




So here are what I think are the inspirations pieces and the actual shoe in UO.

Top - Chanel bow booties in pink, mesh and black. Bottom - JA SOS Satin Bow Heels in pink and black.



Next - Chloe Lace-up Wedge Booties from Jane's shoe picks for Fall 2009.



Left - Chloe bootie. Right - JA SOS Wedge Bootie



Next, Spring 2006 Prada lace-up peep-toe boots.

I think the JA SOS Laced Boots are a combo of the Ann Demeulemeester triple lace boots and the Prada peep-toe boots.

Last on the left are the Ann Demeulemeester open lace sandal heels and the JA SOS laced flats.

Jane is a very pretty girl who has a great sense of style... combined with access to and the ability to buy amazing new and vintage designer clothes and shoes. She also has a mother, very stylish herself, who has a history as a model and working in the retail business, I believe.

I'd be curious to know how much of the designing she was able to do and how much was Urban Outfitters sifting through her closet and finding pieces they could bring down to a more mass-market level. I'd also love to know, if anyone has bought these, what the quality is like.

As with most celebrity lines and their "creators", I'm waiting to see Jane wearing "her" pieces. Chloe Sevigny is the only one that comes to mind who wore her shoes out quite a bit. Jane has a lot of fans and is getting a lot of attention. I think that is great. What I don't think is great is that her name is being used to sell a product that she didn't really come up with and that she doesn't wear.

Does this bother anyone else?

Huge Thanks to HauteLook

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to to HauteLook and especially Amelia for hosting the bloggers lounge at Bryant Park Hotel during Fashion Week.



Not only does HauteLook carry amazing designer pieces for great prices, but they are also incredibly gracious people as well. I got to meet several members of their team when I went there and it was a real pleasure.



This place was a godsend. They had computers set up all over, food, drinks, vendors and, most importantly bathrooms and electricity!



I'm sometimes bad about eating when I travel it is was great to have a bit of fruit to keep myself from passing out.



I totally set up camp for a while because I had stupidly forgotten to charge my computer and it was dead dead dead!

They also had some other companies in like Susan from LushOasis perfumes. They were delicious.

And GoSmile had a table there too. I'd always wanted to try the treatment out and now I got too. Plus she plied us with samples of their other mouth-freshening flavors too. I am well stocked and will probably buy more.

And to all the lovely bloggers I met there too, I'm so glad we met. I hope you will say hello again on Twitter so I can link up with everyone!

Again HauteLook.... THANK YOU!

Follow HauteLook on Twitter too!