The Steel Story

Steele claims she doesn’t own as many shoes as lots of women, but “I do respond to the beauty of shoes as objects, they can transform your entire wardrobe” she says.

Valerie Steele is a hallowed voice in the fashion world. She is Director and Head Curator at The Museum at The Fashion Institute of Technology, New York City, and a seriously chic person.

“There is a bit of Imelda Marcos in many women,” is how she begins her fascinating book, Shoes: A Lexicon of Style (Published by Rizzoli).

The book taps into her views on the obsession, the fetish, and the fashion of footwear, from the pump to the sneaker, the boot to the stiletto. There are no ancient Roman sandals in this book. Instead, you get passion, expert knowledge and informed

opinion like no other. Plus she has access to the greatest in shoes so her book is illustrated with cutting-edge photos and filled with quips and quotes from Tom Ford, Manolo Blahnik, Ann Magnuson, and other shoe aficionados.

In her books Valerie Steele regularly stirs up the debate over high heels, the joys of athletic footwear, and the power of shoes to convey status and sex appeal for the well- shod of every “style tribe.” Read her and see if you agree with this opinionated shoe-lover!.

Killer Comfort Shoes

Nobody ever said that beauty came without price, which is definitely the case with wearing killer heels. From the vast array of exciting designer shoes to choose from, smart women now expect comfort as well as style. Even celebrities as famous as Jodie Foster aren’t immune. “I once wore a pair of high, crystal-encrusted heels to the Oscars,” she recalls. “After I presented my feet were bleeding! I made my way out through the backstage door, got in my limo, and watched the show from home!”

The good news is there are ways to have your shoe and wear it too – without causing too much damage to your feet. Jamie Ahn, owner of New York City’s Acqua Beauty Bar and exclusive Townhouse Spa (which has stars including Fergie as clients), has a few bits of advice:

Brian Atwood “Rida” satin sandal

October 3rd, 2008

Satin crisscross sandal with 1/2″ platform and 5″ sculpted heel. Purple. $640 at Brian Atwood Rida satin sandals

Moloh

Moloh Limited offers quality footwear and clothing for the style conscious woman. An array of tailored, sport and riding garments, like their double-breasted wool military coat, perfectly compliment their line of quality leather riding boots. An earmark of British fashion sensibility, the riding boots proudly show tassels and brogue detailing atop user-friendly outsoles.

shoes we specialize in:
Contemporary / Fashion

i heart Xanadu’s Kerry Butler

June 27th, 2008

surfing the nets today, i stumbled onto a quirky little skating video with Kerry Butler of xanadu and lxtv’s Mo Rocco. it’s silly people and doesn’t have much to do with shoes, but since i’m unapologetically smitten with anything to do with xanadu, i thought i’d share.

nominated for a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, which she said she’d be wearing a fancy elie saab dress, she appeared on the early show to sing “bear necessities” from her new album. um, i kind of love her sweet and sultry version. like. for sure.

Shoe designer Mary-Kyri says, “It’s ALL about the SHOES!”

With a self-proclaimed “sick, insane shoe fetish” fashion-designer-turned-shoe-designer Mary-Kyri Pallaras of MARY-KYRI is poised to set the footwear scene ablaze. She sold her car, after all, and jumped on a plane to Italy to begin her business with a few key sketches in her no-doubt stylish pocket.

Her fall/winter 2008/09 collection illustrates the contrasting effects of unique styling with timeless elegance. Thigh high detachable boots convert into shoes and fashionable sky high stilettos promote extreme comfort. Her eye for leather choices and use of color is impeccable, as she incorporates patent translucent lacquered stretch leathers and crocodile and snake skin finishes into her shoe designs. Her high-fashion sneaker line, Mary-Kyri Sportz, marries the same leathers and design sensibility of her high-fashion heels and boots.

Since our interview, her shoes have been featured on the fashion runway of Sass & Bide, she’s been editorialized in Vogue, InStyle and WWD Ultimate Accessories Guide to name a few. She made an appearance on Australia’s Next Top Model as did her shoes… in which the shows’ contestants were dangled high above the city with the goal of making the shoes “pop!”

Her shoes have been seen on media darlings: Kylie Minogue, Kate Moss, Pink and on the legs of newly named Danging with the Stars contestant and socialite Kim Kardashian.

“I like shoes to be elegant, but really sexy at the same time,” Pallaras adds, “My shoes are made for elegant, sophisticated, passionate and flamboyant women who are not afraid to express their individuality.”

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.

A night of SOLE in St. Louis, August 14th

August 12th, 2008

if you’re in St. Louis, August 14th, check out this night of SOLE…

Dancing with the Stars – Get a glimpse of these Boogie Shoes!

August 28th, 2008

E!Online listed the contestants for this season’s Dancing With the Stars by saying, “Bass leads the roster of 13 for the latest installment of ABC’s hot-stepping hit, a group of contestants cobbled together from the worlds of music, acting, reality TV and, in a bit of perfect timing, Olympic-caliber sport.” By Bass, they are referring to Lance, former ’N Syncer. Other celebrities include: Grammy winner Tony Braxton; Kim Kardashian of Keeping up with the Kardashians; Team USA’s two-time Olympic gold medalist beach volleyball team, Misty May-Treanor; Susan Lucci of All My Children; and Rock Star host and Brooke Burke, to name a few.

Cobbled together. Yes, some of the most dynamic shoes are born from being on the dance floor. shuzsociety has pulled together a few dancing shoe styles we think would work perfectly on the legs of any of the Dancing With the Stars’ Ladies. Take the shoes from dancer-turned-designer Anyi Lu whose sensible heels could glide any one of the contestants safely in style.

Liv Tyler in strappy Jimmy Choo’s

September 4th, 2008

Liv Tyler was photographed looking quite lovely in her Jimmy Choo “Jasmin” nude satin crisscross sandals as she attended the SAMSUNG ICON EVENT, September 3rd.

Designer Valentino Garavani, Vivica A. Fox, and Alan Cumming and others attended The Red Thread: The Inspiration & Passion of Valentino Garavani event in New York City.

We since searched for a nude-colored satin “Jasmin” sandal but instead found these two for you: “Jasmin” patent leather halter-back with 4 1/2″ heel. $495, at Net-a-Porter.