Ready for Resort

While my favorite collections are typically for the Fall/Winter seasons, I have to admit I have a soft spot in my heart for Resort.

 Centered on fun, frivolity and vacation glamour, many designers use this small season to break out their whimsical and witty sides. Here are two of my favorites from this season.

Brian Atwood went with candy pastels - more vibrant than the ice cream sundae colors of spring.  An evolution in to the jewel tones for fall.

Sophia Webster, a new name to me and a former Kirkwood designer, has put out layered, bold designs in acid bright neons. I'm excited to see how she grows.  You can see the Kirkwood influence but with her own playful spirit.

Vacation is a time when you can relax and follow your own desires.  It's great to see designers get to do a bit of that as well.

Inspiration = Flattery?

Remember the uber-sexy Brian Atwood spectator pumps from last August? 

Well our favorite "inspired-by" brand has done their version of this classy pump.

I'm not a huge fan of the platform.  I think it makes them look too clunky, but the heel at lest looks decent.  It doesn't have the curvy sex appeal as the Atwood shoes but it's trying

Do you wish you had the original or would you get the Steve Madden's?

Le Sigh - Brian Atwood Patent Spectator Pumps

Here's a sexy take on the menswear spectator wingtip - Brian Atwoods gorgeous bi-color peep-toe pump with pinked and perforated backstay.

Simple. Elegant. Sex-ay!

Available at Neiman Marcus - $695... Le Sigh!

Eeeewwww!!!!

I don't think it's fair that I go on Net-a-Porter to look wistfully at lovely things and then get visually assaulted by hideousness (btw, I love that my spellchecker has that word in it).

If you like these, I'm sorry. I mean it. I'm really sorry for you. These are just ick. Or maybe I should be sorry for me because I am so mentally limited that I can't see how these are good. Either way.

I've seen these Sergio Rossi boots for a while now. They just will not get off the site. Okay, some of the sizes are sold out. And these things are $1500. I don't know, I'm not a fan.



I'm not a huge fan of cowboy boots of any kind and I really don't like these. Givenchy, who are you trying to appeal to with this mess?




Is is just me or does anyone else think Luke Skywalker? Anyone? Anyone? You have to look at the outfit image they paired these Brian Atwood boots with on N-a-P. Even with all the fabulous clothes they have these still look horrible. Total FAIL.



But hey! They come in blue too!

The good thing is that all of this is making me slightly queasy so I quickly fled the site and didn't want to buy anything.

Yeah, aversion therapy!

Fall Favorites: Peek-a-Boo Cutouts

More on the Fall 2008 Favorites coming your way!

Before we looked at the rich details and the focus on heels that are trending in the Fall shoes, but another element I saw a lot of and really liked were the artistic use of cut-outs in the shoe designs.

The petal cut-outs on these Brian Atwood pumps give a simple shape an ethereal air. They're very classic and classy but with a fresh feel. These would be great with a suit now and a sundress in the Spring. I love the neutral color too.



Continuing my love of blue satin shoes, these Bruno Frisoni sling-backs are exceedingly eye-catching. The dark teal color is amazing and the design is bold and graphic. I would wear a severe black dress with these to let them steal the show. But could you imagine these with a dark hot pink outfit? Yowza!



Louboutin is the king of showy, sexy heel and these are no exception. The design is very much in line with other shoes from his previous collections but I like how the silver platforms get a lot of focus from how the straps on the two area are formed. Your feet would catch and reflect the light as you walked. I think these are the same shape as my all black ones (sans platform) from NYC. If they are, these are unbelievably comfortable.



There are a ton of shoes with open designs going into Fall. As more people pair tights with strappy heels we'll continue to see varying degrees of this style year round. I'm sure this will be welcome, especially in the warmer climates too!

Dangerous Curves Ahead

Of course, the combination of red and black can be very sexy, especially when it's a pair of red-soled Louboutins but I think these Brian Atwood suede pumps are equally enticing.



They're a beautiful shape with a great slope on the side.



And such an amazing heel shape. Pair this with a tight pencil skirt and you're dangerous. I would definitely put these on my wish list.

Not for Shrinking Violets

So, as to be expected, the shoes coming on the scene for the next season are airy and colorful. Vibrant shoes with streamlined styles that let the color take center stage. They aren't overly embellished or precious. And definitely not pastels!

Here's a collage sample of the gorgeousness (Click to enlarge):

Photo Key:

1 & 2. Brian Atwood Harlow Suede Platform Sandals in Rubino - Saks - $740
3. Brian Atwood Harlow Suede Platform Sandals in Saffron - Saks - $740
4 & 5. Dior Suede Slingbacks - Saks - $660
6. Elie Tahari Ashton Patent Ballet Flats in Laguna - Saks - $195 (also in mandarin)

7. Gucci Grease High Heel Platform Sandal - Saks - $595 (Do you think it is named after the movie?)
8. JCrew Cameron Printed Espadrilles in Burnished Yellow - $148 (other colors available)
9. JCrew Cameron Printed Espadrilles in Flame Dots - $148 (other colors available)
10. Gucci Swing High Heel Pump - Saks - $575 (also in black)
11. Manolo Blahnik Criss Cross Python Sandal in Blue - Neiman Marcus - $675
12. Manolo Blahnik Criss Cross Python Sandal in Pink - Neiman Marcus - $675

13. JCrew City Printed Ballet Flats in Burnished Yellow - $128 (other patterns available)
14. JCrew City Printed Ballet Flats in Flame Tiles - $128 (other patterns available)
15. JCrew Vachetta Wedges in Dark Poppy - $160 (also in driftwood)
16. Louboutin Foil Rings Slide - Neiman Marcus - $720
17 & 18. Louboutin Trescobaldi Gisa Sandals - Saks - $720

19. Manolo Blahnik Criss Cross Slingback in Yellow - Neiman Marcus - $585 (also in black)
20. Dolce & Gabbana Suede Pump in Fuchsia - Trunk Show at Neiman Marcus - $550 (also in black)
21. Miu Miu Open- Slingback Pump in Dark Turquoise - Barneys - $395
22 & 23. Jimmy Choo Once Patent Sandals in Pepper - Saks - $595 (also in taupe)
24. Ralph Lauren Satin Sandals with Flower - Saks - $425

25. Prada Camoscio Deco Suede Platform Sandal - Saks - $650
26 & 27. Jimmy Choo Patent Sandals in Fuchsia -Saks - $585 (also in black)
28 & 29. Louboutin Passmule Sandal - Saks - $620 (also in grey)
30. JCrew Cameron Suede Espadrilles in Burnished Yellow - $145 (also in fresh tangerine and black)

31 & 32. Louboutin Joli Noeud 957 Satin Slides in Fuchsia - Saks - $550 (also in black)
33 & 34. Louboutin Comme Ca Gisa Wedges - Saks - $735
35 & 36. Louboutin Noeudette Gisa Sandal in Pink - Saks - $740 (also in black - I think this will be THE hot shoe of the summer.)


So lots of pink with some very sunny yellow. Perfect for chasing away winter doldrums. This is just a small sample - check out the full listing of bright beauties at these stores -

Saks Fifth Avenue - Bright Shoes - Premier Designer

Saks Fifth Avenue - Bright Shoes - Designer

Neiman Marcus - Bright & Cheerful Shoes