Pulling from the archives - Miu Miu Spring 2016

I was flipping through the Spring 2016 issue of Barney's The Window last night and chuckled when I saw the following feature of Miu Miu wedge sandals...

Why did I laugh?

Because I know that fabric.   It's from one of my favorite Miu Miu collections - Spring 2010.

I loved so many pieces from this collection, but especially my cat printed mary janes that I wear all the time...

I mean, hell, it's my site banner image!

But I recognized the prints used immediately.  Here they are in the original show from six years ago.

 Amazing.  But in a good way?  I'm not sure.

I love the threads of theme that carry through over the seasons for Miu Miu and Prada but I do find it surprising this reuse of fairly iconic patterns.  Six years isn't that long ago.  And frankly, the new shoe design has none of the girlish whimsy that paired so well with the fabric patterns.

I loved these designs but seeing them again now, well, this seems like a rehash.

Imitation = Flattery? Miu Miu and ShoesOne

I know, I know. It's probably getting old with these knock-off/rip-off features. I guess, I just can't get over the sheer audacity of some of these companies. Imagine how draining it must be for the actual designers. They toil over inspiration and to be innovative only to have another company come along a short while later and basically copy every answer off of their test.

Case in point: The Miu Miu crystal-embellished swallow mary janes.

I was crying over these. I literally called multiple stores in the US, the UK, Paris and Italy. NOTHING! They were all sold out. I don't think they even got them here in the US, which just kills me. I mean, these were the shoes of the season for me.

In the end, I got the navy kitty mary janes, which I love and have worn a ton. But when I saw these shoes pictured in the images below, I have to admit, I was tempted for a second. I mean, they are really recreating the design and they are selling them on ebay for $55 (on Filthy Magic for $200, yikes!)

I saw them first on Flithy Magic and thought it was just a blatent rip-off. But then I found the same ones on eBay and on that page they are pairing up their product shots with actual Miu Miu runway images and ads.

I think that is crossing the line.

I know how tempting these are. I'm even struggling with it myself but at the end of the day, can I live with giving my $55 to a rip-off artist? And if I knowingly go into that transaction, what does that say about me? If I "really want them" should I just buy them? And what would I answer, everytime someone asks about them. Does any of that matter?

I'm not going to get them and I actually reported the eBay ones for infringement (mostly because of the ads used in the listing) but it's an interesting discussion worth having.

What would you do and why? How would you answer people everytime they ask you if they are "real Miu Mius" ?

Cat and Mouse Games

My Dad made a joke asking if my new mouse flats squeaked. I wondered what my kitties would say...

Talus seems unimpressed. Maybe these kitties and mice will get along better.

Squeak! Meow!!!

Ensemble du Jour - 5-10-2010

I did a bit of a reverse "haul" over the weekend. I took back 4 dresses (2 of the Target/Zac Posen ruffle dresses and two JCrew chiffon dresses) because they were just not thrilling me. While they were cute, they just didn't seem to perfectly fit me or my life, so better to take them back and have someone else give them a good home.

Okay, maybe it was more like a status-quo haul because in JCrew I was instantly smitten by these adorable "Frankie" bubble dresses. At first I thought they were rompers with bows (so cute!) but they are actually dresses. They fit great, are cheaper than the Target dresses and so comfortable! I had to wear one today and I feel so cute.

I'm wearing the lavender one today with a navy cardigan and my Miu Miu kitten mary janes.


May 10, 2010 by Princess Poochie featuring Miu Miu shoes

I love the bow! They come in a navy and a peach as well, and these really cute floral prints. I got the light grey with pink flowers.

And a cute pink cardi to match. I might have to go back for a grey cardigan as well.

These dresses are cute for work and for running around on the weekends. In fact I can't wait to pair these up with all kind of colors and cute heels and sandals.

Signs of Spring

I promised better pictures of our lovely Spring blossoms and trees. The best part is we do very little to encourage this. It all just happens to pop-up as it gets warmer.



This is our neighbor's house. They actually do work on their yard and it shows. Darn them!



Trees in our backyard.



Tulips

Wisteria blossoms up close.

More tulips.

And our Tulip!

Her prancing baby, Petal.

Happy Spring!

More pictures on Flickr.

Meow Meow!

*Cough, cough*... excuse me I meant Miu Miu!



: )

UPDATED: Kitties in motion!

Spring Spring Spring

While Fall is my favorite, I think Spring is the prettiest season. Especially here in North Carolina.

I took a few quick phone pictures but will have more taken with the good camera to share later.






Our wisteria has gone crazy this year! And our yard smells like SweeTarts.



Our windows are open and our house is filled with pollen. Luckily we don't have any allergies!

More Sad News

After the sad news of Mr. McQueen it was and still is unknown how the company will be moving forward. For all of his fans it means many of his beautiful creations will be unrealized. That we will not be able to bring home a piece of his vision.

From the Spring/Summer 2010 collection I was enamored with the Titanic Ballerina pumps. I had still held out hope that this collection would be made. I felt it was one of the best lines so I reached out to the McQueen corporate group to find out.

Per their response:

Thank you for your interest in Alexander McQueen.

Unfortunately these shows will not be going into production.

Kind regards,

Alexander McQueen Online Assistance
London

I don't know if they will make a few for celebrities or not. While I understand why this would be, it is sad to know that his work will not be out there in the world.

Imagine

Imaging this in white with a darker wood heel.



Now imagine me wearing them... because that's what I'm doing.

Fendi Spring Summer 2010 "Cinderella"

UPDATED: I think my writing was poor up above. I'm also imagining that I'm wearing them. I don't own them.... yet! (okay, we'll see if I get them. I hope so!)

I just died a little inside

So the Philip Treacy lace heels for the Valentino Spring/Summer 2010 collection and do exist. They are on sale at Colette.

So why so sad???



Well, while I expected these to be pricey, they are beyond even that simple term.

They are around $6200.

You'll sadly see me whimpering in a corner while trying to glue scraps of fabric onto a heel in an effort to break out of my depression.

Le sigh!

Armadillos in Captivity - McQueen Runway for the Real World

I think we are finally seeing how the McQueen "Armadillo" shoes are going to be translated for the real world...



W Magazine did a Run of Show preview portfolio of key pieces with some sourcing and there on slide 8, center model, it looked to me like the McQueens brought to life, albeit a bit tamer then their runway counterparts.

What do you think of the reality? Yes? No?

Sheath Your Talons - Toned Down Siriano for Payless

We've all seen how many of the designer/mass-market collaborations get toned down to appeal to the, well, mass markets. But I think this goes against the whole strategy at the collaboration's core.

Why should Payless even bother to work with and support a designer like Siriano who can help them tap into a new fashion-forward audience with the pieces he shows on the runway...



... and then water them down to the point that they bear no resemblance or retain any of their interest or appeal.

I don't normally shop in Payless because the style isn't usually there. But I have bought four pairs of their Lela Rose line and like them very much.

I know Christian's style is more extreme but they could retain something from the runway.

If they aren't going to commit to the styles then just don't bother!

WANT!

If these exist in real life... they will be mine!





Gah! Philip Treacy for Valentino Spring/Summer 2010.

The World is Buzzing

The Fashion world has got to be buzzing about the Alexander McQueen show. I'm not going to add a lot more to what has already been said or covered other than to say... I wonder how long those models got to train on the shoes...

The clothes took a huge back seat to these babies.

I really love most of McQueen's shoes. It will be interesting to see how these get translated when retail comes around. There were more "wearable" styles but these fetish exaggeration styles really stole the show.

Check out more pics on Imelda's site

Lela Rose for Payless - Spring 2010

As we've seen, the designer & mass merchandiser collaborations have been kind of sucking lately. Which is really disappointing because there is great opportunity to do cute design at a mass-retail level.

And we know it's doable. The Mizrahi collection did it well for a number of years at Target. Heck, Merona and Mossimo have done well there for ages too. I've bought tons of clothes and shoes from there.

But it's really changed lately. Either they've had to cut back on design & quality due to economic conditions or they really don't think we'll notice.

Well, people are noticing. I'm sure that's why they've changed the whole Go International program. Of course, it becomes a vicious cycle - we don't buy it, they cheapen it up to cut costs, so we don't buy it, etc.

Luckily there is one collaboration that seems to at least be making an effort and that I still think is doing a good job - Lela Rose for Payless.

I often get the snob label placed on me, especially when it comes to shoes. That I only like or buy expensive stuff. And frankly, that's not true at all. I totally judge each shoe individually. If I like (or don't like) the looks of a shoe, I don't care who makes it. And I have to say, most of the time, I'm a fan of this line.

And the Spring 2010 collection seems like it will have several pieces that I will want to get. My favorite is this style called Bently in a really pretty citrine fabric and twist bow.



The other colors are really pretty too... fuchsia, stone, taupe...

I really hope they keep the height they were shown in. Payless does tend to "tone down" the designs between runway and store and I really wish they wouldn't.

I also really like the casual and sort of preppy wedge sandal Ashland which comes in cute combos like the black and white gingham with green accents, the cross-hatched circles with taupe and the modern geometric pattern with black.

The Zephyr cross-strap sandal is cute too, especially the delicate ankle straps.

I like the citrine pattern again but also the solids in the fuchsia and navy.

There are a few other styles that are cute too, including a multi-strap wedge and a elegant heeled sandal, so check them out here.

I'm really looking forward to trying them on. The styles will be available in February per the site.