Category Archives: Shoes

All about shoes

Christian Louboutin: The Book

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Christian Louboutin: The BookSo I hear that to mark the brand’s 20th anniversary, Christian Louboutin: The Book will be out on the 05 October.

The idea of a lovely pink leatherette bound book containing Louboutin’s most iconic designs throughout these 20 years, his personal story and inspiration behind the sensational shoes, sounds absolutely amazing and I would be putting an order in if it wasn’t for the price tag of £85!

However certain I am of the book fabulousness,  I would still rather deposit those £85 into my Shoe Fund, and get myself real Loubis to grace my feet!

Read more about the book on Vogue and Stylist.co.uk

The Shoe Fund 2011 invested

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Christian Louboutin Décolletté Jazz 100The Shoe Fund has been mentioned by me in countless occasions, but now I am very excited to say that the time to convert an idea (and a number sitting in a bank account) into something that can actually go on my feet (and thus bring me happiness, satisfaction and prettiness) has finally come.

My first ever Shoe Fund purchase came in the shape of the beautiful and elegant Christian Louboutin Décolleté Jazz pumps, in black.  I am a massive fan of the red soles (damn you, beautiful shiny scarlet soles), so there would be nothing better to debut the fund.

I am fully aware they are black shoes, just like my previous Louboutin pair, but my line of thought was that I should start with the basics, build myself a solid classics collection and then branch out into the crazier ones – right?

They have manageable (I barely recognise myself, purchasing sensible heels) 100mm heels, delicate almond toes and not too shiny leather (not matte,  not patent:  it is nicely in between). A perennial classic in any wardrobe, these are shoes I will be wearing for a long time. As my Rolandos are so high and so shiny, I feel they are “special occasion” shoes. My plan is that these ones will get out more often – they were brought in to be my staple, ready to be dressed up or down.

Last year, I actually set off to get the Décolleté, but fell madly in love with the Rolandos – and left the last call to my boyfriend, who chose the latter.

Now that I got it I can assure no more black court shoes will be coming out of the Shoe Fund, which has just started again: the first deposit for 2012 has already been placed!

Countdown mode for the 2012 Shoe Fund on!

Lara Bohinc shoe crush

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Lara Bohinc's Constructivist Manifesto StilettoOooh, I’ve developed a new shoe crush – and I am not at all surprised it is over one of Lara Bohinc’s pairs – hers was also my favourite from the Elle Accessories Report.

The amazing “Constructivist Manifest Stiletto”  in cappuccino python and brown is so amazing and indeed as described on their site: a contemporary take on the timeless stiletto. I love the  whole shoe architecture, they are beautifully structured from heels to upper. The gold platforms and robust heels are complemented by the texture, pattern and colour – although the python black is just as desirable.

Lara Bohinc’s site is packed with gorgeous, exquisite yet wearable designs, well worth checking – I dare you not to covet!

I really need to start making larger deposits into my shoe fund, as my appetite for  these beauties is only growing…

Elle accessories report

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It took me a while to go through the Elle accessories report, out a few weeks ago. There are so many choices that I decided to concentrate on my favourite types and created  picture gallery with my heel, bag and jewellery picks.

Just as I would with an outfit, I am starting with the high heel shoes: it might come as a shock but I haven’t fallen *madly* in love with any number in particular – none made me want to cash my shoe fund immediately.

Having said that, I could easily see Lara Bohinc’s Tatjana courts in leopard print gracing my footsies – definitely my favourites, these amazing shoes have a somewhat art-deco brass circles sitting on the leopard print calf and at the top of the heel, giving them an amazing texture. I really love the metal details on the shoes upper – Bohinc’s Tatjana collection is definitely worth checking!

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A self confessed heel lover, I am fascinated by their architecture, thickness, material and texture so I was immediately drawn to the heel shape in some selections, special attention to Miu Miu and Prada, with very exquisite heels  (I had to go to Selfridge’s Shoe Galleries to actually touch the Miu Miu’s – they are amazing!). Their shape was almost remitting to historical/costume footwear, with the back of the heel quite prominent and the high heel itself quite chunky and arched outwards, almost like a “C” at the back of the shoe.

Designer until then unknown to me, Chrissie Moriss stood out – amongst my favourites are the Liliana peeptoe shoe boots, the Metropolis and the Dakota – they play beautifully with geometrical shapes on the body and the black Liliana has very sexy heels with a “precious” stone at the end. Fierce!

Other favourites are Giuseppe Zannoti Design’s orange suede sandals, Jimmy Choo’s Kerfield, Flaxley and Kemp, Camilla Skovgaard’s grey peeptoe and grey and silver with zips stilettos, Charlote Olympia’s Cordelia tall boots, Alejandro Ingelmo’s Nighthawk (what a cool name, I am glad the shoes live up to the expectation!) and Pierre Hardy’s leopard print circle cut out sling back sandal.

Style wise,  lots of sparkle, multicolour compositions and loafers seem very strong. Platforms are still present.

Now, the bags –  I noticed that there are many clutches featured, especially box clutches. Amongst my favourite are the Prada python, Miss Dior jacquard, Valentino snakeskin box bag, Jimmy Choo Candy and “Lanvin Evening”.

Satchels and totes also appear quite a bit, as well as fur/pony skin. Other picks are Chloé’s Aurore, Celine Trapeze, Versace Metallic bag (with the iconic Versace Medusa head made in gold metallic mesh, with long-ish straps, lush!) and also from Versace, an embossed number with tassel, very pretty.

Victoria Beckham‘s bags appear a few times, with their clean, sharp cut, straight lines design, and my personal bag obsession, the Mulberry Bayswater, appears as a fox-riveted haircalf incarnation. I did miss Chanel, only one pick for Coco’s brand and that didn’t blow me away.

As far as jewellery go, big, bold cuffs are everywhere, chunky collars and chokers too.  Among my favourites are a Louis Vuitton collar, a BOSS Black red feather brass cuff (gorgeous!),  a Cavalli shell gold cuff and an owl ring, a Vionett gold cuff and a D&G star necklace.

Needless to say, the shoes are my favourite part – and I don’t see them as merely accessories! I enjoyed going through the report, and overall, it does provide me with plenty inspiration when looking at accessories to buy.

My pre-A/W 11-12 wishlist

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midi River Island skirt

To midi or not to midi? Regardless of length, the colours are spot on!

As the shops tease poor souls like myself with brand new shop windows in anticipation to the new season, I have been making a wish list of items I think will be key in my wardrobe for the Autumn.

I have quickly warmed to the colours I have seen around and I am looking out for mustard, navy, cobalt and petrol blues, grey, rich golden beige, tan, burgundy, and jewel tones. Very pleased that colours will seep into the new season, and I look forward to explore palettes I haven’t before (like navy blue, weirdly). It also makes a great change from the usual mostly dark wear for the colder months.

From the wish list below, I have already bought a few but most are yet to be purchased, I am keeping an eye out for them – watch this space!

1. Midi length skirts – still not sure how I will fare on one, as I am quite short and the midi has always been a no-no (as far as my mirror tells me), but it really looks like midi will be the only length for the coming season, I may have to embrace.  Almost bought this cutie one from River Island, fell in love with the pattern, but sadly, after all the garments on my size were defective, I’ve gone off it a bit.  I am officially on midi skirts watch.

Primark mustard lace dress

Bargain!

2. A navy blue blazer – I am a big blazer fan (even though in the office they always ask me why I look so smart), and I have put an order in for a lovely one from H&M (have to say, their A/W collections is very nice!)

3. A checked jacket – it’s cute, exhales some countryside Englishness and can have a mix of all the colours I am into at the moment. H&M, once again, has a cute one for a unmissable £19.99!

4. A tailored coat  that has feminine details –  this one from H&M is pretty much what I want, as design goes, but doesn’t really seem that warm. I suppose I have to touch it, try it on and see, so I placed an order (not due until mid August).

5. Dresses – a mustard lace one, bought for a steal in Primark (£17), a burgundy, a cobalt blue and a purple-ish, still to be found!

6. Tan loafer heels – I bought some cheap ones from New Look, 10cm chunky heels, very Maggie Thatcher! Turned out to be a good fit, sizing is spot on and they are quite comfortable, as they are very square, so no squashed toes!

7. Flat tan leather boots – for the daily grind. Have my eyes on one from very.co.uk, the Love Label Dustin riding boots, a true staple. At the moment, site says it ships in five weeks, so might wait a bit to order.

8. Statement earrings – yes, they are back. I remember when I was about 16 and these massive, heavy American Indian heads, dangling with all sorts – metal feathers, beads, the kitchen sink, you name it – were all the rage. I love big earrings.

9. Statement rings – in the new season colours – don’t think I need to elaborate on this one, this post says it all.

10. A choker – I haven’t been big on necklaces lately, but want to jump on the choker bandwagon, my mum has always been a big fan. Not sure if I want a very flamboyant or a more demure one. Might love it so much and end up buying several.

Topshop Glam suede shoes in green

11. Emerald green heels – tried to bag a super bargain from Zara, but that proved to be a fiasco. Instead, went for the highly affordable Topshop Glam court shoes, in green suede, for £46.

12. Mustard and navy blue tights – tights tights tights, I really love tights. I remember when I arrived in England, I felt so cold, but so cold that I couldn’t even bear the thought of wearing tights in the winter (I used to wear four layers: 2 tights, leggings and jeans, 2 socks!). Nine years on, I don’t think I’ve worn trousers for the past two winters!

As we say goodbye to short sleeves and bare legs, I am sure more tendencies will catch my eye – I will be posting them avidly – but I think these are certainly a great flavour of what is yet to come, and will help me step into the new season in style!

A/W 11-12 trend alert: jewel tones

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Gemstones

Sparkle! Sparkle!

Really excited to read that jewel tones will be quite trendy for Autumn/Winter 2011-12. As a colour lover, this is great news; I can see a (yet another) new obsession coming.

I love the fact that emerald, amethyst, sapphire, topaz and ruby colour pallettes will be gracing our wardrobes – the fact most people dress in greys, browns and blacks in the colder months just makes it more miserable. A colour splash will certainly help to brighten up the day!

I had already spotted the trend, which started shy at the end of the summer collections,  at the back of the bright colour blocking bandwagon, and is growing as the new season collections come around – I have already purchased some items in line with it (mustard dress/tops and emerald green shoes) , and have my eyes on some sapphire-coloured pieces.

This is also a great excuse to buy statement rings with a massive stone!

Check Vogue’s picture gallery with the sparkling hues.

Rich!

Can’t let go of my Schutz shoes!

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Schutz shoes

My "vintage" Schutz shoes

I cannot recollect when I started loving shoes, it was certainly  at a very young age. What I do remember is falling in love with them again, in different ways, when introduced to Brazilian shoe makers Arezzo and Schutz – they were my staples when I lived in Brazil: almost all of my shoes were either  Arezzo or Schutz.

I started to love the design, the materials, the quality and comfort a killer high heel can give you due to engineering. Far from something that protects my feet or accessorises the outfit, the shoes I buy become a part of me, they pretty much are the outfit.

I started following @Schutzoficial not long ago, to get updates, news and feel closer to one of the institutions that helped shape my love for shoes. When I was younger, there were Arezzos and Schutzs, I later discovered the Louboutins and Jimmy Choos.

When I noticed someone posted a picture of their recent Schutz, I decided to post a picture of a very old pair of mine, probably bought circa 2000/2001, and one of the very few that survived my move to London and 9 years beyond that. I just can’t let it go! And probably never will.

Today, they posted my Schutz “vintage” on their blog – the shoes that have been part of my life for about a decade, that danced lots the nights away, and luckily, cannot tell anyone what it has witnessed. What a nice surprise!

That is very sweet, thank you Schutz!

Hooking up with my (shoe) crush

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Velvet Mushnik feather trim shoes, very.co.ukWell, the say you never forget your first love. Maybe it wasn’t love, but I have previously opened my heart about my very first Autumn/Winter 11-12 crush,  the Mushnik velvet feather trim shoes from Very.co.uk, which I came across on Coco’s Tea Party blog.

It turns out it is now available for sale, and the price is even better than publicised before: for a mere £38 you can get hold of these lovely shoes.

So I did – I could not neglect the powers of this crush, also, I really obsess with stuff.  I have succumbed to buying A/W items in July. There is no hope.

First of all, having never ordered from them before, I was very pleasantly surprised with Very’s service: placed my order on Monday 25/07 at around midday and requested delivery to a Collect+ point near work (I am now a massive fan of Collect+, everyone who retails online should use them!) and by 10am on Tuesday 26/07, I received a text saying my item was ready to collect. Thumbs up for them.

Velvet Mushnik feather trim shoes, very.co.ukNow, back to the shoes – they are very period drama like – maybe it is the velvet, or the deep burgundy on them, maybe it is just the combo of the fabric with the feathers and “jewels”, it just hides enough of the peep-toe, making it ideal to wear with thicker tights in the colder months. It is a statement shoe, but without being too overpowering.

It is quite true to size, a comfortable 4, almost a 4.5 to be exact and even though it has 5 inches heels, there is a considerable hidden platform, I found them rather comfortable (I was wearing them for ages to get the pictures taken, still to see how they fare on a night out!).

With my eyes on the A/W trends, I have decided I will wear them with a mustard lace dress I bought (ok, alright, the shoes were not the first A/W item I bought this season, go on, judge me!), and I think it will look fab!

I have now more staple items than ever on my new season to buy list, and if the thought of cold, dark, 30-layers-that-make-u you-look-ginormous 5 months to come  is enough to make me depressed, building my new season wardrobe is the silver lining that keeps me going!

*P.S.: I might ogling and dribbling over A/W stuff, and even buying a few (I am actually suffering in silence, trying not to max out my credit card on new season stuff!)- it doesn’t mean I gave up on summer – never – even if it is grey, wet and with temperatures so pathetic that are just above the winter days in my home country.