SAVE THE DATE ~ spectacular sample sale at DUE FARINA

November 19th, 2008

Due Farina is on the cusp of a huge blow-out sale and YOU (and your little ones) are invited. Marina Rosin, Creative Director of Due Farina AND glowing new mother, will have plenty of spot-on shoes for YOU and promises a play area for your whipper-snappers.

Dur Farina has great equestrian boots, booties, pumps, flats and platforms. BUT, remember to get there early as popular sizes go quickly! You’ll save big on Saddle leather equestrian boots, orig $484 / NOW $225. Nappa leather/patent loafer platform pumps orig $230 / NOW $125. Lucky sample bin $20-$40.

To get there: 107 North 1st Street, 2B (between Berry and Wythe) Williamsburg-Brooklyn, New York 11211. Take the L train one stop into Brooklyn to Bedford stop. Walk down Bedford, right on North 1st. Or, call: 347.844.9755. And remember your Cash and CC’s (only) Gals.

Alejandro Ingelmo Awarded CFDA from Vogue

November 28th, 2008

Alejandro Ingelmo Awarded CFDA
Great to see this young designer has been validated the Vogue award for rising fashion designer was given to Alejandro Ingelmo last week. Watch for his great men’s and women’s shoes this spring. This is the pulse of fashion with a twist of salsa. Enjoy-Shoes Designershoesblog Bill Dowling
The Council of Fashion Designers of America and Vogue magazine have created an endowment to support the next generation of American fashion designers. With monies raised, the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund has been established, the stated purpose of which is to generate sufficient income each year to fund significant financial awards to one or more designers and provide business mentoring. Award recipients are selected by a Committee of industry experts, based on the exceptional talent they have already demonstrated in fashion design and their capacity for future distinction in the fashion industry.

the story of foot binding

These women’s “golden lotuses” are proof of a foot fetish on a national scale, with hobbled feet acting as another erogenous zone, the most forbidden of them all. Yet, As Wang surveys her tiny shoes, cocking her head from side to side, it’s clear she’s proud of her little feet. “There’s not a single other woman in Liuyicun who could fit their feet into my shoes,” she says. “When my generation dies, people won’t be able to see bound feet, even if they want to. ” — Lauren Tobin

the man who loves shoes

You know the stereotype about women and shoes? About how they have too many? And want and need more? That they go on needless, compulsive shoe-buying sprees?

Well I’m here to flip that stereotype. I’m a man who is crazy about shoes; women’s and men’s. I design shoes. I make shoes. I collect shoes. I collect books about shoes. I teach shoe-making. I go on shoe-buying benders.

I have more shoes than my wife. Many more. 100 pairs. That’s a lot for a guy. Not just sneakers either. Prada, Y-3, Costume National, Cole Haan. The day-to-day ones are in my closet. The really special ones are boxed in the attic. There are others in storage. I buy shoes that are never meant to be worn. I just want them because they are a beautiful design.

But this isn’t just a story about obsessive, compulsive shoe collecting. My name is Anthony Cady. I’m a shoe designer and professor of footwear design at The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

My day job is teaching at FIT, where we train many American shoe designers of the future. Former students are designing for various companies including Nina, Jessica Simpson, Cole Haan, Nine West, Kenneth Cole, Coach, Catherine Malandrino, and many more.

Students make shoes literally from the sole up. We work with lasts, various components , leather, cement and various machinery and we spend several semesters making different styles of shoe. I enjoy making shoes and teaching the process. We study the history of the shoe – Gladiator sandals, Venetian chopines, Medieval poulaines, Louis XIV pumps. And the designers; Vivier, the Levines, Ferragamo, Perugia. Shoes have a long and rich history.

May 31st, 2008

it’s the morning after the BIG shin-dig, and we’ve heard through the grapevine the movie is good. in fact while playing on the roof, i texted a girlfriend, “was movie good,” and she responded, “YES!!!” that’s three exclamation points.

the pre-movie party at mosic’s rooftop pool lounge was over the top. the view of downtown’s skyline was the perfect backdrop for the lightly breezy evening. and thanks SKYY vodka for the Cosmos, they were otherworldly. let’s not forget the shoes!!! you leggy ladies really know your footwear. you came out in droves and donned your best. and we had fun snapping you up in them!

if you simply must see the movie this weekend, and we recommend you do, fandango has show times near you. happy viewing!

She’s going to Vegas, Baby!

shuzsociety’s “obsessed” member Marcy Alexander was the lucky Lady randomly selected for an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas to attend The Collections at WSA — the world’s largest footwear and accessories trade show — the end of July. As shuzsociety’s VIP guest, she will receive…
• An exclusive presentation of the Spring 2009 collection from key premier designers at The Collections at WSA
• Dinner at a top Las Vegas restaurant with Italian footwear designer Angelo Anastasio and the shuzsociety team
• An appearance in Angelo Anastasio’s interview video with shuzsociety
• An invitation to the coveted The Collections at WSA Glass Slipper Award presentation
• An autographed pair of shoes from Angelo Anastasio’s latest collection

And just how excited is Miss Marcy? She responds in her acceptance email, “I’m so pumped! I swear I don’t think I have ever won anything in my whole life!!! When I received the call from Frances, I knew it wasn’t about the ‘fab Friday’ shoes since it was Tuesday. This is awesome, I can’t wait!!!! Thanks shuzsociety!!!!”

Her shuz profile:
shuzsociety member for: 1 year 21 weeks

State: Oklahoma
Country: USA
Shoe Size (U.S.): 9.0

Why do you love shoes?
I love shoes because they can either begin or finish an outfit. They are the ultimate accessory.

If you could design the perfect pair of shoes, what features would they have?
They would be comfortable and make your feet look small, even if they aren’t!

Who is your favorite shoe designer?
Don’t know if I have a favorite, but I have purchased several pairs of Via Spiga and they seem to fit my foot well and so I continue to look for them.

What shoe trend would you like to see disappear?
Metallics, because by the time we know they are IN they are on the way OUT! OK, now an update here…found a great pair of Carlos Santana’s that are a color called Old Silver that look bronze, silver and gold at the same time!!!! Anyway, now I like all things shiny!!

What is your most favorite shoe style of all time?
I like pointed toes better than rounded, and heels over flats.

And with that, we know this sole sister will have an exceptional time.

Giddy Up Girl! Lucchese’s been in town…

April 28th, 2008

only a mile or so south of the “Strip” sits an unassuming stand-alone building known as Boot Barn. since 1978, they’ve been outfitting the equestrian scene in sin-city (indeed, one exists!!) in well-made boots. last weekend’s Lucchese trunk show saw 95.5 WFMS and some Chevy men showing off their trucks, all welcoming the crowd of boot kickers inside.

What Jesse’s Pink Shoelaces Really Mean for Bachelorette Deanna!

July 11th, 2008

For those of you who watched the Bachelorette’s After the Final Rose follow-up special, you heard Deanna say, “I judged him (Jesse) from the outside” for his crazy tennis shoes and pink shoelaces. Yet, in fact, it was Jesse’s choice in shoes and shoelaces that gave Deanna all the information she needed to know about Jesse to accept his proposal over Jason’s.

At heart, Deanna is a fun-loving free spirit. She’s grounded yet yearns for adventure. Otherwise she would never have tried to find true love again as a Bachelorette after being publicly jilted at the final rose ceremony on The Bachelor.

Although Jason would have satisfied Deanna’s need to be grounded and safe, it was Jesse’s crazy tennis shoes and pink shoelaces that sent her the message that Jesse would also provide adventure and the unexpected. Now, if Jessie always wore “crazy” shoes and wild laces that would be like a kite without a string. But he didn’t. He used good prudence when to pimp his pink shoelaces. And when not to.

At the beach on his final date with Deanna, Jesse sported a fantastic pair of manly and sturdy leather beach sandals – not flimsy “fun guy” Astrobright flip- flops. Jesse’s choice in solid shoes that day showed Deanna his grounded provider-side. While his pink shoelaces showed her that he was also an exciting man with lots of surprises.

His pink shoelaces also demonstrate that Jesse is true to himself. Which is vital to a healthy relationship. Jesse caught a lot of flack from the other bachelors. “You’re wearing those shoes?” they chided. They advised him to follow suit with what everybody else was wearing. But Jesse stayed trusted his inner sole instincts above anyone else’s well-meaning advice. Just look at his reward!

So, do the crazy tennis shoes and pink shoelaces really mean that Deanna and Jesse will last? Or is it just another Hollywood collision romance?

The Shoe-ologist Verdict is in.

Jesse, well done!

Deanna, bravo!

Based on Jesse’s ability to demonstrate to Deanna his full range of character through his choice in shoes, he got the girl. Jesse’s ability to be true to himself in stressful situations is a good indication that he has both the honesty and integrity to sustain a solid long-lasting relationship.

To the extent that both Deanna and Jesse listen to and trust their inner sole instincts and do what is uniquely right for the both of them, they’ll be quite happy together for a very long time.

Dior! ! Dior! Dior! WOW

October 3rd, 2008

Suede shoe bootie and pumps with square toes, open toes and funky platforms are what Dior is all about for Fall. These shoes are the combination of modernism with that touch of Retro. Who Is following who? Are the Automobile industries GTO remakes that we are seeing everyone driving watching the footwear business . In the Fashion footwear industry the look is happening. Remember those muscle cars and those wooden Made in Brazil platforms of the 70’s. No matter how hard we try to reinvent the wheel it is still circular. The other odd thing is gas shortages and a possible recession. Interest rate hikes are just around the corner. If I were you I would buy as many pairs as possible before the prices go up.

Jerome C. Rousseau “Bellatrix” metallic pump

Metallic leather cut-out T-strap pump with suede detailing. Gold/Black. $695 at JeromeRousseau.com