Designer Focus - Le Silla

As I look through more and more blogs, websites and publications, it is easy to get overwhelmed with the gorgeous product to be found. And with more and more young designers making it to the marketplace and more websites and stores carrying their lines, I'm branching out from the core of Louboutin, Choo and Blahnik.

I really admire these newer designers and am inspired by their designs and unique aesthetics.

The newest designer I'm totally smitten with is Le Silla. The source of inspiration for Enio Silla, who has always been the Le Silla designer, is to materialize the idea of seduction, to make the image of a woman real and full of femininity. I'm sure that he has pulled from the Louboutin vision as well, but while Louboutins are overtly sexy, I find Le Sillas to have a quieter elegant sex appeal (some of them) with forays into Guiseppe Zanotti/Prada-esque styling.

Their site isn't the easiest to navigate, so be warned. I preferred looking at what was available on the Saks site. This is where I first saw them and fell in love.

The tuxedo styling on these could bring a sexy girliness to a formal pants outfit, class up a pair of jeans or be really different with a suit. What a great shape they have.



These satin d'Orsays are the perfect elegant formal shoe but I would wear these all the time because I find them so feminine and pretty. The fullness of the bow is my favorite part.



Aren't these a pretty take on the mary jane style? I love the stitched pattern on matte satin with the oversized button to give it a fresh modern look.



These are my absolute favorites - their "Stardust Heels". On the site they are described as: Slender bone heels support rich metallic suede. I'm pining for these.



I want all of these shoes! They are officially a new favorite designer. Now I just need to get some!

Zipped in

As we start pulling out jackets and sweaters for cooler weather, biker-style embellishments like studs and zippers pop-up on all kinds of accessories. While I don't think I have what it takes to pull off the biker look, I do like how some of the designers have integrated this "tough" element into atypical and elegant designs.

Jimmy Choo's Cole Metallic Leather peep-toe ($695 online at Jimmy Choo) is quite striking. But I'd probably forget the zipper was there and shred my tights or skirt or something. Choo also did a closed toe heel and a really cool double-zipper flat boot for Fall.




These comfy ballet Romp flats from Michael Kors come in a bunch of great colors for Fall. I've seen black, brown, dark green, burnt orange (my favorite) and this chino. The suede looks ultra soft so I doubt these flats will hurt the back of your heels like some ballet styles can. Oh, their about $180.




I know I've talked about these before but I still think the use of the zipper as a design element was done in a really fun way. These are actually the Louboutins (at $910) but, as I said, the Steve Maddens are i-den-ti-cal. You decide which you prefer.



I know there are tons of bags that feature zippers in the design, but I thought this clutch from Nine West was really cute. Nothing crazy, just a fun little bag for the weekends and about $40.

And my favorite use of a zipper are these Marc Jacob pumps. The rose is actually made of a zipper. This comes in red too. I do wish that it had been done on a high heel round toe pump. The style of these are a bit to matronly, if you as me, which contrasts in a negative way to the edgier materials. They're about $390 at Neiman Marcus.



I haven't seen zippers integrated into designs from the more moderate lines. I think the material may be harder to work with. But I'll keep an eye out.

Happy Birthday to meeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Okay, it's not quite my b-day yet but, Holy Sales, Batman! Jimmy Choos at 50% off! Who could resist this gorgeous emerald shoe. I only wish I had them in time to take with me on my trip to Vegas this week!


Get on over to that sale! But I think this shoe is all sold out. You're jealous, right?