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?
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.
If these exist in real life… they will be mine!
Gah! Philip Treacy for Valentino Spring/Summer 2010.
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
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 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.
Folks, I’m a bit freaked here. I just got my creds approval for Fashion Week which just happens to be next week! As if you didn’t know.
I am trying to get my dates and flights and hotel all arranged and I’m not sure how that’s all going to come together.
I apologize for the quiet zone here, but I should get it together today I think.
Is anyone else out there going? What shows are you going to and what events?
Any thoughts I should keep in mind?
Shoe Daydreams 