Fall Favorites: Luxe Layers

As you can tell from the previous Fall Favorites posts, I'm into excessive, embellished and decadent shoes from this season's offerings. We talked about:

- Rich Details

- A Focus on Heels

- Peek-a-boo Cut-outs

Of course, I think you can tell throughout that I like my shoes classically shaped but, how do we say... a bit over the top. This round is a bit different. More about the variety of materials. Still luxurious but in keeping with the clean silhouettes of the Fall/Winter season.

I know the silver pump version of these Balenciaga patent mirrored Escarpins bootie received more attention in the media but I like how the frosted material and the peach tone warms up the futuristic design.



Extreme platforms are not going anywhere this season (see Stella and Marni) and this Versace pump is right there. What I liked best about it is the color. I love how the lighter blue would play against black or brown. It's still dusky so it works but it's light enough to do a contrast. Plus you could wear it into the spring. I've become very fond of the mixing of the seasons for shoes with the use of tights. It's fun and practical.




These Alexandra Neel boots are just divine. I love love love the rich colors, the shape and the three button-y straps. Between these and the Chanel black and white booties, I don't know which I want more. These also have an almost steampunk vibe to them too.



Anna Sui has taken the oxford shape and created something ethereal. They seem heavily influenced by last season's Prada/Miu Miu collections but it's very fresh for this year. I think it's the unique mix of metallic leather and the oil slick patent. Such a contrast but both are so gorgeous. I would wear these with everything.



This is a complete understatement: I want these Manolo Blahnik booties. The color combination is amazing. Buttery leather and that heel shape... geez! I really need to get on the ball and try and track these down. They're very equestrian (almost jockey-influenced) but so urban too.



And, last but not least, my favorites - the two toned Chanel Carousel mary janes. And, oh yes, I got them. They're awaiting their debut and I am just ga-ga over them. They're luscious.



These are the kinds of shoes that totally speak to me. And they're the perfect investment-type shoes. The shapes are simple but the style is amazing. And sure to be noticed whenever you wear them... now or 10 years from now.

Designer Focus - Pierre Hardy

So a while back I wrote about how in love I am with Davis by Ruthie Davis and the shoes in the collection (in spite of her being a major contributor to the creation and popularity of Uggs). I haven't had the opportunity to buy any of her shoes but I did have nice conversation with her about buying some because the I love the Barcelona heel on this shoe so much.



I mean, look at it. It's like a shiny cold skyscraper for your foot. I would have snapped them up in a hot minute but I don't like the chain on the front, so I'm holding out for next year hoping she'll do a closed toe, non-chain version with this same heel.



Anyhow, I was all impressed with the architecture of her designs, but again, trolling vintage shoes on eBay I've found a possible inspiration piece for Ms. Davis. Check these babies out:



Umm.... hello! Look at that heel. Metal. Check! Monolithic. Check! Kick-ass. Check! Plus there is the added benefit of the chain attaching shoe and heel.

Who created these beauties from the 80's?

Why Mr. Pierre Hardy!



Now, I'm not going to lie and say, "Oh, yes, Pierre Hardy. I've been following his career for ages, Darling. Why, in grade school all I would wear were Pierre Hardy designs, blah, blah, BLAH!"

No, no, no, I can be honest. I didn't immediately recognize the name, but boy, I should have. Mnsr. Hardy has designed for some of the best of them before heading out on his own to do his own line of shoes and bags (he appears to be a Bag Snob fav-or-ite). He designed for Balenciaga and Hermes and is known mostly in the fashion industry for reviving the House of Dior's shoe collection in the late 1980's - right around the time period of the shoes above.

I went to his site and found an amazing collection of gorgeous shoes that I am instantly coveting. I'm a greedy biotch, I know!



Perfect shape. Perfect color.




More blue suede but with futuristic heel. Cool.



I love this heel. Love it.



How crazy are these? But the black keeps them in line.



Weren't orbs popular this year? I love that these are all gold and metallic-y but in a classy good way, not crap materials.



These are why I knew Pierre Hardy! I totally saw these on Style.com and thought they were awesome- great colors, great embellishment, mod, retro, striking, unique. How many more adjectives can I throw out there. These are like investing in great art - but you get to wear them out and show them off.

Much more practical than some giant painting or sculpture.

Hmm... maybe I should try and track these down.

By the way - I think you should go and get those shoes above on eBay. They don't fit me (damn!) so they need a good home.

They're nauseous. I'm nauseated.

I just received my Victoria's Secret Shoe & Accessories Fall 2007 catalog and I have to say I am shocked, appalled and sickened.

When did VS descend into a horrible swirling miasma of bad taste and whorish-ness?

I used to like Victoria's Secret. They used to put out CDs of classical music and had cute night clothes. They had pretty suits and shoes that had a "designer" look but at a price I could afford. Now it's over-priced and tacky as sin. I mean, they make Fredericks look classy. I know they don't make these shoes, but they picked them, forced a gorgeous girl to wear them and pretend she feels sexy in them, and then tried to brainwash us into thinking we would look hot in them too. That is just wrong.

Grab your Tums or Pepto-Bismol, it's going to be rough:


Naughty Monkey Embellished boot - $149

Is it just me or do these look like an insane mix of spats and gaucho boots. They are designed to cut you off perfectly at the worst part of your leg.


Bronx over the knee scrunch boots - $285! $285!!!! WTF?!?

If you get this catalog, they model is wearing them on the back cover. These boots look like a dirty oil rag crossed with a shower cap. The elastic at the top is wretched.

Block heel boots - $139

These are the stumpiest, clumpy shoes I have seen. They look as if they had to force them on you and then strap them to your feet so you can't take them off like you get strapped down for electro-shock therapy. The turned up toe shape looks are some form of deranged gnome shoes.

Mid-calf buckle platform boot - $99

I'm choosing to ignore the tacky "metal" platform on these boots. I don't even think my toes will turn up at that angle. How can you even walk that way?

Hale Bob Braided Sandal - $129 (on sale for $99)

Who is Hale Bob and why is he trying to make us wear some sort of pinata on our feet? I don't think even Charo would have worn these. Okay, maybe she would have but I'm not Charo... are you?

JLo Lace Up Booties - $115

Is JLo so insecure that she needs to drag us down by getting us to wear these hideous creations or is this something she actually thinks looks good and her bad taste is disguised by a very smart stylist. Why can't we get her stylist to design/approve something instead?

Rebel High-heeled sneaker - $49

Sneakers with heels are wrong. I don't care if you look like Posh Spice or if the Spice girls are coming back. No excuses!

Sam Edelman Strapped Booties - $170

These were not good looking even in the original Balenciaga version. Even the petite Miss Olsen can't make this look good. I'm sure plastic and fake suede will not improve the design of this shoe.

Sam Edelman Gladiator Platform Wedge - $109

Sam Edelman should be shot!

Sam Edelman Over the knee sweater boot - $220

I'm serious...shot! These go over the knee, have KNEE PADS (hmmm... why would we need those???) and are sweater-y at the top.

Victoria's Secret buyers - what the hell are you thinking?