A Few Views
A few recent shoe views to love:
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| RED Valentino |
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| Jimmy Choo |
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| Marc Jacobs |
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| Prada |
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| Miu Miu |
We all need a bit of shoe fun for the day, right?
In Their Shoes
I just watched this video, “The Shoes of NYFW” created by Textbook for Lucky.
The Shoes of NYFW from John Jannuzzi on Vimeo.
While it’s always fun to see what shoes people are wearing, especially to Fashion Week where they’re showing off their favorites (or at least those they think will grab attention), what I most noticed are how many people don’t really seem comfortable in their shoes.
It’s actually a bit funny to me. I bring heels with me to New York but I wear them very little as I go around the city. And it took one day at NYFW to convince me that there was no way I was going to wear heels all day. Walking, waiting, carrying gift bags and equipment, there’s a lot going on and not a lot that’s easy on your feet.
If you can’t walk in them, don’t wear them. Or at least plan a quick getaway strategy and a pair of back-up flats!
Wish I was a boy
It’s not often that I say this, but looking at these sweet Prada monkstrap oxfords in deep violet, I wish I could wear them. I love the straps, color and distressing.
There are 3 designs in this special collection from Prada for Bergdorf Goodman’s 111th anniversary. I can’t fit into them and they’re not really my husband’s style. So sad for me, because these are sharp!
Why Photography Works
In the world of online branding and shopping, visuals are key. Since you can’t see or try on the product, we the customers are placing a lot of faith in the descriptions and how the products are visually presented. So we need good clear imagery and multiple views.
But don’t forget the romance.
What’s going to catch my eye first is a gorgeous shot. Let’s use these two images of the Freya Rose “Ennis” gold rose peep-toe heel as an example.
I saw this shot from Naomi Kenton on I Heart Wedding Dresses and was instantly entranced…
The shoe practically glows. Who wouldn’t want these molten gold heels on their feet.
But then I went to the Freya Rose site to order them. And then I saw the site’s images.
What happened??? Where did my lovely dreamy feeling go?
I was no longer entranced. In fact, I was a bit turned off by them. It could be the different view of the shape or the harsh lighting but now I’m not as smitten. I still love the rose element but now I wish it was on a different shoe.
If the brand’s site had used the first image above, I would have bought them. Now, my money will probably stay in my pocket. Sure, it’s good to get a straightforward view of the shoes but don’t forget to romance the customer a little bit too.
No Games, No Time
I have been so swamped lately!
Between work and travel and a new chicken rescue, I haven’t had time to do much shoe perusing. I’ve also been filling the little free time I have with reading the Game of Thrones series. I’ve only got a few thousand pages to race through… not sure why I have no spare time!
I thought perhaps I could see if there had been any great collaborations or designers inspired by the series. Sadly, I found that Helmut Lang designers created a shoe capsule collection that was meant to evoke the grit and blood of the series.
I can see the dark and the “blood” but these shoes look a bit too dystopian for the fantastical realms in the book and the show.
I’d rather look to the actual clothing and style of the show for inspiration. Fashionista.com had a great interview with the hair and costume creators of the show. It’s a longer article but well worth reading through, especially if you like all the details, like I do.
Now, while everyone is out and about at Fashion Week, I’m going to hunker down with my books.
Le Sigh – Nicholas Kirkwood Brocade pump
I’m a sucker for a pretty fabric, especially on a pair of stunning shaped heels and these Nicholas Kirkwood platforms are just amazing.
The delicate fabric, in soft green, cream and gold, is contrasted by the strong heel and graphic platform both in soft black.
The combination of the fabric and platform bring to mind the geta or okobo worn by the geisha or geisha-in-training or the Venetian chopines. It makes me wonder, the height of the chopines, for example, became “a symbolic reference to the cultural and social standing of the wearer; the higher the chopine, the higher the status of the wearer.”
Do you think this relates to the status of these shoes culturally now as well?
The New Adorable – RED Valentino
I received my new Saks Fall 2012 Catalog last night and on page 133, I saw the most adorable pair of black glitter t-straps.
Perfection!
Then I saw that they were from RED Valentino. Of course we all know Valentino but I had not given their RED line a lot of awareness. But I popped over to Saks to see the shoes online and was enchanted with the adorable heels!
I love the black pair, but how cute are the pink?
Then I found these candy-colored kiltie loafers with the soft bows.
Super sweet lace ballet flats in the perfect creamy pink. Very provocateur.
I’m not sure why I love these kitten heels with the candy pink edges and bows and abstract leopard print, but I do.
Sadly, most of these are not available in my size. If they did I would be in serious trouble! Now I have to run off to do a shoe search.
I really want those loafers and kitten heels!
Darn You, JCrew
JCrew is trying to ruin me. I cannot resist all the polka dot/plaid/stripe/tweed/snakeskin print goodness.
I actually am tempted by these adorable sweaters and I generally don’t like crew neck tops! We’ll see what actually works and stays around for Fall/Winter.
Oh, yeah, I got a pair of cap-toe heels too. It’s sickening how cute all this stuff is!
Designer Focus – Richard Braqo
It’s always exciting to see a strong new designer come onto the shoe radar.
Richard Braqo (Richard Kwame Brako), is from Ghana, studied at Parson and hails from Helmut Lang and collaborated with Cesare Paciotti. With a debut collection this season, Richard is already showing a strong design eye and a unique vision that makes his work jump out for me.
While the whole collection is great – check out his lookbook here – I love his sharp, sexy stilettos and his lethally gorgeous jewelry-inspired embellishments.
The pearl spear to skinny gold heel of the Benedetta is my top pic of the collection. The pieces in his collection come in oxblood and moss but I love the black velvet and gold accents best.
Asymmetrical Coralle is a signature piece, with the bracelet ankle detail. I love this is the deep oxblood, which is turning out to be the color of the Fall/Winter 2012 season.
My other favorite design element from the collection is the metallic feathers of the Nina sandal. You can see why his pieces are catching the eye of musicians and performers.
Richard’s work already shows a confident style and aesthetic. I can’t wait to pick up a pair and to see how his work evolves over the next few collections.
Shoes of Change
On my way in to work most mornings, I tune into NPR and the BBC World Report. I don’t get the newspaper or TV so my news consumption comes from online sources that I access via apps my Twitter feed or that I search out. NPR and BBC keep me informed with views from outside the US and about world news that may not get the same focus here in the US.
Much of the news today was about the death of Ethiopian Prim Minister Meles Zenawi. He was a controversial figure but a pivotal one in Africa and for the world. His death will be a big change to the region.
But why am I writing about this topic here?
As a child growing up in the 80s, Ethiopia was a recipient of much of the aid programs such as Band Aid and Live Aid. We saw the pictures and sent in money. These programs helped to remind us that there is a world outside our borders. We talked about the issues.
What’s weird to me is that every day I hear the news but never get the chance to talk about it. Sure people I know talk politics (usually on heated partisan lines) and other rights issues, when the topic is hot, but other than that…. not much. There isn’t a lot of discussion about influential books or world news or scientific breakthroughs. Maybe I need to start a salon, a la the ladies of the Enlightenment.
But behind these big stories are the individual people who live in the countries. I love the inspirational work showcased each year at the Arise Collection during NYFW. I wanted to see if I could find any footwear designers from Ethiopia.
My favorites were the pieces from soleRebel. They’re fair trade and artisan crafted, creating jobs and cute shoes for men and women. Founded 8 years ago, they’re helping locally and reaching out globally.
But in thinking about Ethiopia, I began thinking about Eritrea. I met a lovely lady from there many years ago. At the time I didn’t know much about the country or how it had fought for independence from Ethiopia. I’ve tried to learn more and the news today brought the country back to the forefront of my mind.
One thing I did not know is that Barka sandal, or “shida” is a national symbol for the country. The sandals were worn by the fighters wore, almost as a de facto uniform, during their bid for independence.
Lightweight and repairable, these shoes are such a part of the national identity, they are even symbolized in monument in Shida Square.
In each country they are supporting the people differently but they each are representative of the hopes and lives and dreams for a better future.
Shoe Daydreams 