Meet Gigi Favela

Meet Gigi Favela:
Following her dream to design highly wearable shoes that women would love, Monica Favela George left the corporate world of proposal writing. She took an intensive intro-to-shoes workshop (which her husband gifted for her 30th birthday), and headed to Europe armed only with her color theory and sculptural design background.

To realize her vision of becoming a shoe designer, she knocked on doors and asked the right people about small-quantity, artisinal factories until the right high quality Italian shoe factory presented itself. Encouraged by her team members; husband Bijoy who is CFO and head techie and 5-year old daughter Gabriella “Gigi” George who provides attitude checks and laughs, the first Gigi Favela collection premiered in 2006.

Best shot we got. Did we mention the Lady likes her Gelato? She does and with her pic she sent, “I love ice cream second only to shoes!” She’s witty too.

What is the Gigi Favela philosophy?
She keeps it simple and uses innovative materials. “Wearability is key, so I keep heel heights walk-able and use Poron® anti-shock/comfort material in the footbed to absorb impact.”

Give us 5 words describing your design style:
“Highly wearable fashion-fresh lovelies.”

Why Shoes?
“The love of the shoe. Specifically, the love of the HEEL.” Favela George adds, “Try as I may to embrace the lower heel, I will always love the sculptural aspects and confidence that heels bring to a woman’s wardrobe.”

On the Shelves:
“The Fall 2008 collection was inspired by the archetypical action jackson female badass, as my collections always are. The “Moderno” mini-boot is for modern day females who are moving, one fabulously shoed foot in front of the other, FORWARD.”

Shoe designer graced the Red Carpet at The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards

September 24th, 2008

The elegant shoe designs of famed Rene Caovilla took their walk down the red carpet at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday night.

LaDuca unveiling new line of shoes in November

October 19th, 2008

Former shuzsociety “designer of the week” Phil LaDuca has a great write-up in this week’s NYTimes Online. Ready to unveil his new collection of designer shoes and new store, he’s been knee-deep in his creations.

Designer to the stars, LaDuca gave shuzsociety a few minutes to talk about his new shoe collection…

i think i’m in love… givenchy high heel sandal

March 21st, 2008

i think i’m in love. it was the summer of ‘82 that eddie money hit the charts with his snappy little ballad “think i’m in love.”

I think I’m in love
And my life’s lookin’ up
I think I’m in love
‘Cause I can’t get enough (no, no, no)

but yes, yes, YES!!! this pair of givenchy high heel sandals pretty much ROCKS, TOO! a platform sandal with woven metallic leather and 1″ hidden platform and a 4 1/4″ covered heel. $695. get them at shopbop.com

On the heels of paris fashion week - anything is possible

March 25th, 2008

with Paris fashion week but a distant memory, our minds are still reeling from the runway shoes we’ll covet—until they are tangible this fall—then they will be ours! worth mentioning: Louis Vuitton’s strappy buckle pump with design for an exposed heel, Balenciaga’s above-the-knee slouchy leather boot, or the pointed-toe cut-out booties shown at Chloé.

New York Times fashion street reporter Bill Cunningham was there. and, we completely appreciate his foot fetish—see and hear his commentary here, and that’s all we have to say about that. no wait, who didn’t notice the stocking paired with… everything…?!!

Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti sandal

March 24th, 2008

Pebbled-leather sandal with woven metallic straps, 1/2″ hidden platform and 5″ stacked heel. Orange.
$495.00 at ShopBop.com

$24K for a “sex & the city” new york city whirl-wind tour

April 1st, 2008

now, it’s a shoo-in to walk in the “sex and the city” characters’ footsteps. if you followed the series, you no doubt at one point identified with one particular character. perhaps at times, all of them. you got hives when you tried on a wedding dress for a date with the wrong man? or, grappled with the “right” wig after heroically dealing with cancer. moved to another borough for the sake of the “kid?” or, wished a “steve” adored you, too.

today’s nydailynews.com reports on a dream vacation in nyc, walking the same steps as the sex and the city ladies. (though i’ve done some research, can’t find Konstantinakos’ firm, and welcome you to help me find out how to get more info)

“it’s a real fantasy for women,” said Joanne Konstantinakos, 36, founder of the Destination on Location a new york-based travel company. “they still talk about this show all around the world.”

don’t have the 24 large? here’s one for forty! dollars, that is.

Giuseppe Zanotti “E80320″

June 18th, 2008

Soft leather strappy sandal with two-tone satin rose detail and 4″ heel. White.
$749.95 at couture zappos.com

Shannon Britt “Olivia”

June 18th, 2008

Satin pointed-toe skimmer with feathered vamp and 1/2″ heel. White with Silver Metallic. $453 at zappos.com

BCBG Max Azria “Inas2″

June 18th, 2008

Satin slingback sandal with bow detail and 3 1/4″ heel. Ivory. $209.95 at endless.com