I have a confession, I own a pair of clogs-- they are from Tod's and in butter soft saddle leather with hand stitched detailing. I wore them often when I lived in LA in th e'90s; it was so easy to slip on with jeans or cut off shorts! Though I'm not entirely on board with the latest slew of clogs, I do like the Greta Woven pair from Elizabeth and James. It's inspired by clogs but with a very chic twist of its own. Loving the woven leather and sling back strap which will keep our feet from slipping out and possibly twisting our ankles (the perils of slip on clogs!). And it looks like an actual pair of shoes so when the clog trend has blown by you can still wear them with jeans and not feel so last year. Elizabeth and James Greta Woven Pumps $425.00 at Shopbop.com
Recently in Platforms Category
My heart skipped several beats when my friend Sasha (aka Fashion Director of US Weekly)
forwarded photos of these new shoes from YSL spring collection. We are busy moms with demanding careers yet somehow, we always find time each day to discuss our mutual shoe and bag obsessions (don't tell the hubbies!). Everyone needs a friend like Sash, she tells it like it is and always seem to know what will work better for me than myself sometimes (especially when I get blinded by the excitement of the moment!). I was contemplating a pair of very expensive shoes with chunky heels and she talked me out of it-- she said I am more "refined defined" (once you know her you are able to decode Sasha language) and sent this pair as a more "Tina" option. And you know what, she was right! This is more my style and something I'd wear often to luncheons and cocktail events. For some reason YSL shoes just fit my feet well and this boasts 5 inches with an almost 2 inch platform so I know it will be (fairly) comfortable!I'm also dying over the rose and the vine heel, so insanely chic! I don't need to explain why this color will go with everything in my closet, do I? Plus the flesh tone will make the legs look longer, it's the perfect shoes for spring! Don't bother looking online for it, it just arrived and will probably sell out quickly. Call our boy Eddy at Bergdorf Goodman 212-872-8940 and he will gladly send them to you (tax free if you're not in NY). Or email him if you're anti-social and hate talking on the phone.
I'm obsessed with Lucila Iotti shoes! The super sexy shoes are designed by Iotti in her hometown of Buenos Aires where her father, Jorge Iotti, began his tailoring shop in 1920 (the designer has a boutique there as well...can't wait till March when I'm in Argentina to check it out!). Iotti uses a variety of colors and textures (patent leather, suede, satin, vinyl...) -- her shoes are definitely not for the shy. They're bold, loud, and demand attention, but paired with a LBD and some confidence they're simply magnifique! On a side note, Patricia Field has been a vocal admirer of this brand, so I wouldn't be surprised if one of these shoes make an appearance in SATC II:-) So far the shoes are only sold at the boutique in Argentina, but email info@lucilaiotti.com with the name of the style you like and they can mail it to you via Fedex (prices start at 710 pesos which is around $540).
I popped into Gap's New York showroom yesterday to preview their upcoming collections and, much to my delight, discovered that it's all about "Brand Americana" for summer (think floral, folk rock, homegrown and white-on-white)! It makes particular sense given the brand's American roots (not to mention they're sponsoring this year's Costume Institute Gala, whose theme is "American Women: Fashioning a National Identity.") But my eyes were immediately drawn to the shoes, and I was happy to learn that Gap's partnership with Pierre Hardy continues on! What do you think of this first-look at the summer collection? The capsule includes three wedge styles and one flat denim gladiator version. The scarf-tie wedge is pretty cute to wear with an eyelet dress or skirt while the denim ones would like quite balanced with a thin motorcycle jacket and cigarette pants. Needless to say, these aren't the works of couture art Mr. Hardy does for Balenciaga, Hermès or his own line, but they continue to be a great way for every stylish girl to get herself a little bit of French-infused design!
$98 available at select Gap stores May 4
I had a moment of insanity and almost took these boots instead of my new Givenchy tote but luckily my friend Judy from Atlantishome.com talked me out of it. Judy felt that 2010 will bring a new direction in shoes and that I wouldn't wear these more than a season (and for $1550 they better last years!). She is a total shoe snob so I knew if she thought this silhouette is going to be over soon, it must be. I still love these cutout boots-- they are so fitted and tapered which is ultra flattering. But that doesn't mean I am willing to shell out that kind of dough for it. What I will do, however, is wait for it to go 70% off :)
Gucci Helena boots $1,550.00
What do you think of them?
I am officially stalking Diane Kruger, I pined for her killer Bottega Galuchat clutch earlier this week and now I'm drooling over her Pucci cutout gladiator sandals. Yes, my snobs, these studded, strapped and sky high platform bad ass heels are not Gucci, Zanotti or Prada. They are from none other than Pucci (of the multi hued and multi swirled fame). Surprised? I sure was, albeit pleasantly so. This is a departure from the usual kalaidescope of colors from the brand and I for one and pleased to see the new direction. What about you?
This is the perfect strappy sandals for me and all I'll need for the whole season. There is nothing you cannot wear with this, the khaki is the perfect neutral to wear with brights as well as black. The braided straps dresses it up a bit but wear this with jeans and little dresses for day and you will be hotter than the summer heat. And with all those straps, you will not need to worry about the stiletto heel, which is the trend now, no more clunky heels, the slender and sexy is back (again!). Yves Saint Laurent Hamptons Braided Sandals at Net-a-Porter for $895.
Balenciaga ready-to-wear, as much as I think is genius thanks to Nicolas Ghesquière, is admittedly not for every woman. The shoes Pierre Hardy designs for Balenciaga, however, are another story. My reaction when I see them in the showroom or on the most fashion-forward of celebrities is always the same: OMG. Simply put, they're the shoe equivalent of a Damien Hirst work of art: cutting edge, modern, and in-your-face bold. To wit, take a look at the beige-and-black suede booties ($2,165) the lovely Jennifer Connelly--a former face of the French brand--wore to a taping of "The Late Show with David Letterman." They're straight off the Balenciaga Spring 2010 runway and add just the right amount of edge to her ensemble--a decidedly less flashy black knit turtleneck and red, turquoise and black pleated nappa leather skirt combination. The colorblock design coupled with a peep-toe and curved wooden heel definitely do look extraterrestrial, but the slight wooden platform and subtle vertical stripes keep the overall look down to earth. I could honestly watch these shoes go clop-clop down the street forever. Yes, they're über-trendy. And long, thin legs are a must. But then again, ladies, Badgley Mischka this is not.
Image via Just Jared
