DIOR Platform Pump

October 24th, 2008

Dior Platforms
These are the one’s in all the magazines. The platform look with an open toe cut out vamp, zipper back, on an architectural cut out platform that is out of this world. These are The Red Carpet shoes of the season. Dior is one of many designers that have a bit of whimsy in their style. We love this soft suede upper on the modern platform cut out bottom. As you look through notice the toe changes that are appearing as well. These neat squared off looks are changing the look and watch for them to come. The other big move forward is multi ankle strap gladiator looks watch for them coming for resort just a few weeks away. Enjoy-Shoes Designershoesblog.com Bill Dowling

NOVEMBER 7th FAB FRIDAY WINNER

Behnaz Kanani “Laleh”
Calf and nubuck combination, 12 cm double heel, internal platform, welted sole. Dark Mauve.
Retail: $1,100
At Behnaz Kanani, Harvey Nichols in London, Comme de Garcon (Dover St Market), Ardecolini (Moscow), Folli Follie in Italy.

Read our exclusive Behnaz Kanani “fab friday” interview!

shoe talk with “fab friday” winner JennieA, Massachusetts, USA

Why do you love shoes?
Because they help me stand tall with great posture and the right shoes can make any outfit an absolute knockout. They are the ultimate accessory!

If you could design the perfect pair of shoes, what features would they have?
A special one for each outfit.

Who is your favorite shoe designer?
Too many!

What is your most favorite shoe style of all time?
Any shoe that will support my feet enough to walk comfortably in, BUT it has to be a high heel!

Golden Goose

November 15th, 2008

Distressed leather pull-on slouch boot with pull tabs and 1″ stacked heel on leather sole. Grey. $1,164 at Shopbop.com.

LD Tuttle

November 18th, 2008

Leather peep-toe ruched bootie with crossover flap and strappy detail on 3 1/2″ covered heel. Grey. $475 at Shopbop.com.

Børn

November 23rd, 2008

Leather and tone-on-tone harlequin-embossed suede boot with side zip and 2 1/2″ heel. Bark. $199 at Zappos.

J. Reneé

November 28th, 2008

Leather and patent leather combo pointed toe pump with ankle strap and 4″ heel. Purple/Black. $76 at Zappos.

80%20

December 6th, 2008

Cow suede leather pull-on bootie with ruffle edge and covered hidden wedge heel. Thunder. $151 at Zappos.

Giuseppe Zanotti

December 7th, 2008

Graffiti patent leather platform pump with 4 1/2″ heel on 1 1/2″ platform. Bianco/Nero. $695 at Zappos.

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.

Top Ten Shoe Divas

#2 Sarah Jessica Parker aka Carrie Bradshaw - A dilemma? The actress or the character? Both! The character once estimated that she had spent upwards of $40,000 on shoes. And the actress actually has a Manolo Blahnik shoe named after her, the SJP. Their work on Sex and the City helped make Mr. Blahnik and Mr. Choo household names. Two Divas for the price of one!

# 10 Elton John – Men can be divas too! Originally known for his extravagant eyeglasses and outfits, and more recently for his quick tongue, Sir John has also worn some of the most outrageous footwear ever made, some of which are displayed at the Bata Museum.