Imitation = Flattery? SJP Angelica and Maddalena Pumps vs Manolo Blahnik "Something Blue" Hangisi

To say I'm utterly disgusted and disappointed would be putting it mildly.

When I saw that the SJP collection was coming to Bloomingdale's, I thought I would go by and see how the collection, which I've reviewed previously, was expanding.  I figured I would see some pretty yet boring pieces along the lines of the initial styles.  I was not expecting to see something shocking.

But I was absolutely floored to see that SJP had utterly ripped off possibly the most iconic shoe from all of Sex and the City - the Manolo Blahnik "Something Blue" Hangisi pump.

Here is the Angelica from the new SJP Collection at Bloomingdales (The similar 'Maddalena' style is at Nordstrom's and has a pointier toe.) -

And here is the Hangisi. The shoe which is essentially the emotional touchstone of Carrie and Big's resolution in the movie.  The shoe he proposes to her with. The shoe bought for her wedding, abandoned and then worn for the simple ceremony they ultimately had. A shoe created just for this movie by Mr. Blahnik.

In some articles the leveraging of the style is more blatant. Heck in the Bloomingdale's item description, they even include a reference to "something blue". I know the Blahnik team is involved in the SJP Collection, which makes it even more disappointing. Why not use her line as an opportunity to do something new and delightful.  It can't be the price point because these heels are over $500 (ironically, that is what they said the MB's were in the movie. Now they're over $900), not exactly a bargain.

So am I being too harsh? Are they different enough? Or are they leveraging a little too heavily on the SATC/Carrie magic and not creating any magic of their own?

Read more in the Imitation = Flattery series.

Wedding Bell Shoes

I've been speaking with a lovely bride-to-be about what to splurge on for her wedding.

Besides the event items - for us it was good drinks, food and a live band - there are the items for you the bride.

Back when I got married, I had actually never thought I would get married, so I didn't have a ton of ideas or preferences.  I was probably so un-opinionated that I was annoying to my vendors.  The dress I got was okay, I did my own make-up, I should have gone with a different hairstyle.

And I didn't really get very special shoes.

If I were to do it again, or if we were to do a vow renewal, I would have more of a theme to tie the day together, I'd wear a completely different style of dress and I'd probably get a really bright pair of shoes.

I love the idea of a fluffy white dress with a pop of colorful shoes.  The green ones above are great but I love the traditional "blue" shades too.  These beauties are all from BHLDN. 

I also think a pair of glittery heels would be fun too, especially in a great color.  Miu Miu, does the best, of course.

If we had to plan a wedding re-do right now, I'd find a 1950s dress and pair it with my silver Miu Miu pumps and sparkle down the aisle. 

Maybe I do need a vow renewal!

Something Old, Something New, Something Changed... it's not Blue?

Everyone remembers the other big character in the SATC movie. No, not New York! I'm talking about the Manolo Blahnik Hangisi "Something Blue" satin and rhinestone pumps.



You had to know that a heel that got this much attention and was so popular, wasn't going be a one time shot. Okay, maybe you knew that. I thought Manolo would just integrate elements like the new heel design done for the piece, because I was totally stopped in my tracks when I saw the shoe in new colors on the Barney's site.

Black -



and Yellow -




The black is elegant but so safe (yawn!) and I like the yellow but it's not as contrast-y as I would like it. Of course, I'm still in love with my blues. They are just an amazing color and you can't help but stare at them.



I would love this in a dusky grey-lavender or even a icy white. Maybe even a flashy hot pink. What colors would you have picked?

Ensemble du Jour

The Outfit

So I did the big Seasonal Swap over the weekend coupled with a huge purge. I now have a giant pile of stuff that I am itching to get out of the house asap! It also let me bring out my favorite jackets which I wait all year to wear.

Today I'm wearing a grey wool jacket from Target with a grey beaded JCrew tee. I'm also wearing my favorite Gap Classic jeans (I went in there to get the same pair in the Ankle length and they were out! This is the Gap... shouldn't they have every size all the time???).


10-27-08 by Princess Poochie

I love JCrew's embellished tees. They're thin and comfy and cute!



The Focal Point

Well, even though they're hard to see because my jeans are so long... it's all about the Manolo Blahnik Hangisi, a.k.a. Something Blue, heels. I wanted to have the shiny blue peek out while the grey crystals echo the grey jacket and tee.



Movie Shot!

I took a ton of shots of these and have them on flickr. The color of these is so amazing. They just glow!



I like cheering up a grey day with satiny sparkly shoes!

The Air Up There

I think I've mentioned before that I am a complete sucker for certain heel shapes. Vintage La Rose are the classic 60s shape, Choo does a great heel with a squared off tap at the bottom and, of course many of Louboutin's heels are great as well.

But my new favorite is from Manolo Blahnik.

Big surprise, I know, given that I'm such a fan but when the "Something Blue" heel was introduced I was drawn to the heel immediately.



Not only is it tall and slender (both pluses in my book) but it has this great addition of a metal accent right above the tap. Shiny silver, paired with the blue, grabs the light as you walk.



I wasn't sure if this would be a one-off element as the shoe was designed for the SATC movie but I'm glad to see that it was not.

This new pair of Catalina heeled sandals are sporting the same accent, but this time in gold to match with the bright tangerine.





I'm not sure if the metal is purely decorative or if it provides an extra level of structural support. Either way, I like how the square-ish heel is offset by the round tap and that the metal calls attention to it.

Anything that draws attention to lovely shoes is okay with me.

Both Ends of the Spectrum

Wellllll.... the other day I came home and there were two packages waiting for me. And upon opening them, they pretty much showcased my two opposite ends of the style spectrum.

On one hand we have these delicious blue Manolo Blahniks. I know. More blue. But how could I resist? You recognize them, right?

No?

Want a small clue?



Does this help give a hint?



Okay, here's the big reveal. Ooops! Spoiler!



So. Those are delicate, rarified, decadent.

The other box contained these...



These are some kick-a** Ann Demeulemeester boots. I adore the triple lacing. It's hard to appreciate how completely over the top these are unless you are in person. I tried them on when they arrived and the hubby was a bit taken aback I think.

To fully appreciate these you have to take a peek over at Sea of Shoes. Jane and her mom have 2 pairs each! Obvioulsy well-funded ladies to be sure.

But they both do a great job of styling their high-heeled pairs in a variety of ways, from causual to Victoriana to almost equestrian. I don't have nearly the closet options they do but I think I would wear these with dresses, jeans, pencil skirts and more.



Very different choices indeed. But I love them both. They kind of represent what I feel are my two sides.

Now, the question is... do we keep them.

As always, a very difficult decision.

I'm thinking. I'm thinking.

Blue for You

UPDATE - If you are interested in getting the Something Blue Manolo Blahniks, they are on pre-sale at the Bergdorfs site for $895 (and fixed on the Neiman Marcus site too - they were previously listed for $945, weird huh?).

I'm not sure what's going on with the pricing changes but I would go for the order asap. And take a screen grab too.



If you don't live in the state of New York, Bergdorfs is the better way to go. There is free shipping and you won't have to pay sales tax.

Just an FYI!


UPDATED AGAIN on 6-28-08 - Now they're both at $945! What the hell is going on here?

Borrow some money, Get something blue

I haven't seen the movie yet and so I can't speak to all the specific details, but even I know what's the deal with this shoe from the SATC movie.

Here's a much prettier way to get a piece of the movie (better than the Eiffel Tower bag if you ask me) if that's your motivation. I'm guessing that this will become an iconic shoe just like the Sedarabys and the Campari Mary Janes.



They are gorgeous, and in one of my favorite colors.



I wouldn't have turned these down as a wedding gift! Although, the hubby's done his share of finding gorgeous blue shoes. So no complaining allowed from me.



The (soon to be iconic, if they aren't already) Manolo Blahnik Something Blue Satin Pumps are on pre-order now at Neiman Marcus & Bergdorfs.

Let the races begin!

UPDATE: New Pricing!