APRIL 25 FAB FRIDAY WINNER

Olivia Rose Tal
“Grace-2752″
Beige kitten-heel with embroidery and leopard twist.

Retail: $375

Shoe talk with simplysofa from Washington

Q: Why do you love shoes?
A: Shoes are what pulls an outfit all together. If you have the wrong shoes, your outfit is going to look a little off if not completely. For me, if I have on a great pair of shoes, my confidence level soars. Only in the right pair of shoes, do I feel I can pull off a black mini skirt or a satin dress over a tshirt. And let’s face it, we all love shoes because they can never make us feel fat; we can all wear them.

Q: If you could design the perfect pair of shoes, what features would they have?
A: Something more classic than trendy with the perfect sized heel for a woman who’s 5′10 and doesn’t wish to tower of her 6′0 husband; sturdy and a bit pointy.

Q: Who is your favorite shoe designer?
A: Jeffrey Campbell for keeping it realistic.

Q: What shoe trend would you like to see disappear?
A: Platforms. Remember back when the Spice Girls walked around in those on stage? Ugh.

Q: What is your most favorite shoe style of all time?
A: The black stiletto. Enough said.

FEBRUARY 22 FAB FRIDAY WINNER

Gil Carvalho “Rogers Lux”
Leather peep-toe pump with patent trim and covered heel. Bordeaux.
Retail: $490

SHOE TALK WITH RubyBlue from Texas

Q: Why do you love shoes?
A: Oh, because they are feminine, I love my feet, I think that an outfit is merely an outfit without the shoe. A shoe is you personality almost as much as a handbag -except you put your handbag down. I love to cross my legs and casually bounce the pretty shoe on top! Such a statement

Q: What is the worst shoe trend of all time?
A: Anything that boasts comfort only. I KNOW its necessary but its scary. I do not like those wooden dutch looking shoes with the pleather band over your toe. Please no!

Q: If you could design the perfect shoe, what features would they have?
A: The perfect shoe would be black grosgain peekaboo toe with a heel to die for and the strap would be around your ankle once and then I would attach a different vintage stone to each shoe as my mood see fit, yes, at the buckle of the ankle…. YUM!

Q: Who is your favorite shoe designer?
A: Oh dear…its a tie between MADDEN for accessibility and flip flops, Christian Louboutin for sexy, Betsey Johnson for my retro minx moods, and Donald J. Pliner; who designed my fave shoe of all time and signed it…it was a wedge heel in grey and bone python and black pony top. I am pisces - the mood is the moment.

Q: What shoe trend would you like to see disappear?
A: I adore the ballet slipper for fall (ah, to rest the weary foot) and think Tory Burch does this well…however, the knockoff…people it just looks like a hood ornament on a knockoff…pretty much any designer backwards GD versus DG….

Q: What is your most favorite shoe trend of all time?
A: The almighty thong/flip flop…so many ways to make that pretty…and tan feet with polished toes…this is the best time of year for the shoe.

The winner writes

Oh wow! I am the Friday winner and I am so amazingly grateful for my new RUBY slippers!! I know it says Bordeaux for color - but I adore any shade of red!! The peep toe is my favorite too! I will be the diva about town as soon as I get my feet on those shoes! I will write an account and get a pic/video up soon too! This is my first BIRTHDAY present and how appropriate that is from my sole sister!! Look for more Dallas Divas signing up as these beauties hit the pavement!

Thanks a million!!

Solea suede cuff bootie

November 14th, 2008

Suede leather ankle boot with leather cuff and strap/buckle detail with wooden block heel. Taupe. $256 at Asos.com.

Jessica Simpson

September 22nd, 2008

Jessica Simpson “Rhauma” leather-esque patchwork peep-toe pump with padded insole. 5” tapered heel rests on platform outsole. Black. $89

Strutt Couture

October 6th, 2008

Patent leather almond-toe pump with 4″ heel. Purple. $449.95 at Strutt Couture Women’s Lola Pump

Botkier

October 6th, 2008

Leather ballerina flat embellished with logo gem on 15mm stacked heel. Purple. $349.95 at botkier Women’s Halla Flat

As temps drop, be on the lookout for steamy resort shoes…

December 4th, 2008

Sure, it’s cold outside. Warm your insides knowing as soon as temps allow, you can slide yourself into any these fabulous spring footwear. This next few weeks while you’re frantically shopping for your loved ones, saunter by your favorite shoe boutique for a little one-on-one with your favorite designers. It’ll ensure you’re no grinch. And to wet your merry whistle, we’re showing you what you can look forward to:
COLOR COMBO: The bold palette of the Davis by Ruthie Davis Mondrian-inspired pump will no doubt put some pep in your steph and Luciano Padovan’s nod to neon—the orange/fuchsia/blue neon peep-toe patent—will turn the heads, ladies. Calvin Klein mixes rich coral patent with tan-colored suede in a play of color and materials that garner attention. Gigi Favela combines several bold colors for her Ibiza

GOING NATIVE: Homage was paid to our country’s rich heritage from several designers who worked fringe and feathers into their footwear. Bettye Muller’s fringed-flat totally rocks. Angeleigh Anastasio offers a flirty T-strap suede sandal with a girlish grin and this darling flat from resort sandal maker bo’em turns up the fun factor! Born busts out whip-stitched and braided sandals and Pour la Victoire is bringing out a fun beaded moc.

MATERIAL: We’ve been anxiously waiting for Jessica Bennett’s stained green leather boot. Boots for spring show you’re just girlie enough to hang tough. Trust us. you. want. a. pair. Robert Zur’s “true glove” leather drivers feel like your most comfortable slippers. Be on the lookout for Frye’s vegetable-tanned leather whose colors are as yummy as their new silhouettes. Plus you’ll also see elastic straps worked into a few clever designs (think Colin Robertson from this year) and satin, satin, satin.

SHOE SHAPE: Platforms are still the height of fashion, folks. Modern Vintage collaborates with Johnny Wujek for a sculpted strappy sandal. Designer Georgina Goodman offers height with this strappy 130mm leather clog. Claudia Ciuti’s triple-strap crackle metallic leather platform with ankle strap is stunning. Claudio Merazzi who’s always good for a tall, stilt-like creation doesn’t disappoint with his fur and swarovsky collection.

YSL Tribute Boot

August 22nd, 2008

YSL Tribute Boot

WOW!! Just when you thought You had seen the the hottest from YSL they release the bootie and boot version of the “tribute too”. This might be the most fun over the top fashion item of the fall. This boot has at least a 5″heel and the look is killer. The black patent is perfect for all the rain we have been getting and the heel is high enough to walk in most of Florida’s cities this weekend and keep your feet dry. But after the storm seriously these will take you anywhere you want to go. The Velvet rope will open for you tonight with pair of these boots on.
Enjoy-Shoes Bill Dowling
Designershoeblog.com

CO-OP Barney’s New York

June 30th, 2008

Winged Princess two-toned metallic leather peep-toe pump with a collared throat and 90mm stacked heel. Pewter/Gold. $365

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.”