shoes

WHY HELLO THERE

Just had to share these dashing sneakers made by Kathryn Wilson for New Zealand brand Ruby. Seriously, every shoe this woman makes is covetable gold!

Although I think the anchor motif is a little dated, it’s still irresistible in this bare-ankle context. As an aside, I vote for a new icon – something to replace the anchor, the cherry, the horseshoe (which still has some life left in it), the swallow, and the skull… Suggestions anybody? Camels?

The striped low sneakers will probably go with most things, but especially some of the pretty white lace dresses I’ve seen coming through. What makes Wilson’s shoes so appealing is the fact they’re accessible for everyone – not too chain store, not too conceptual – just right and ready to wear. I never really appreciated the true straight up meaning of that term till recently… Summer a-hoy-hoy!

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IN A PERFECT WORLD

These shots of Cybèle‘s latest range make me want to forfeit all of my savings for the rest of the year and become a one designer clothes pony! Named Utopia, there are two collections based on the theme; one for us lucky southern hemisphere girls with summer 2008-2009 and for the northern 2008-2009 winter.

She’s built on the bones of her last collection (which I fawned over previously), taking the draping silk and injecting fresh colours like electric blue and oily sea greens. Cybèle has also introduced a lotus motif to the range. From the gowns to singlets, it’s a really dreamy range, the sort of clothes that whisper at opulence and conjure images of beautifully unruly gardens at dusk.

The shoes showcased with the collection are from Sarah Riley, an up and coming footwear designer. I am feeling very smug right now, having just done a search on TradeMe (the NZ version of ebay) and found – a pair of these as per the Cybele shoot. In my size! I’ll have to take my chances with the bidding but I do foresee a summer of storming around in these gladiatorial heels.

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SPORTING CHANCE


[Image from Adidias. This will totally be me in 3 months, wearing Lontus and looking hot!]

So, I’ve joined a gym. This may come as a surprise as I am the girl who previously stated “I will never participate in organised religion nor organised fitness”. We’ll just have to see how long it lasts! In any case, I see it as a grand opportunity to get some hot sporting gear. Specifically what I need is some trainers, so here’s a round up of some of the most stylish sports kicks!

I pretty much love everything Stella McCartney comes up with, so no surprises I found some fancy sneakers that made my heart beat faster from her Adidas range: the Lontu boot.

The shoes are not only flexible sports shoes, they have the ability to transcend single occasion wear. considered pretty enough to be featured in a Vogue spread, worn by Kate Bosworth as a mad ethereal ballerina, I can definitely see them worn casually to brunch or a dance party.

While not strictly sporty, these Marc Jacobs sneakers are incredible – they’re for men but that will not stop anyone. Candy floss or gun metal? How could I ever decide between the two? I am seriously considering canceling my gym membership to buy a pair. They’re around US$424 and would look marvelous with pretty much everything. I’m imagining wearing them with a singlet and some denim shorty shorts for summer, the casual basketball look. Dear loved ones, I will swap me birthday presents for the next 3 years for these, okay?

Next up, a recent offering from the ubiquitous sporting god Nike…

This is a bold wee number, Nike Air Max Plus for the ladies illustrated by Oliver Hibert. Hibert is a designer and illustrator who creates some very funny psychedelic work. These sneaks were inspired by Paris Fashion Week and come in 4 colour variations. I imagine they are completely legitimate shoes (as in, sports friendly) to wear at the gym!

Ah, there’s nothing like stylish clothes to inspire you into doing something you never really wanted to do! After looking through the options I will probably seek out my nearest Adidas store and try on the Lontus. Here’s hoping they sell them in New Zealand!

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CLICK YOUR HEELS TOGETHER

I’m sure every girl has dreamed of wearing their very own ruby red slippers at some time. Impressively, Swarovski is making your dreams possible! 20 iconic designers are collaborating with the luxe crystal company and Warner Brothers to create fresh and sexy new interpretations of the slippers.

The well heeled group include: Amedeo Testoni, Abaete, Alberta Ferretti, Betsey Johnson, Botkier, Christian Louboutin, Diane von Furstenberg, Giuseppe Zanotti, Jimmy Choo, L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani, Lisa Pliner, Manolo Blahnik, Moschino, Oscar de la Renta, Roger Vivier, Sergio Rossi, Stuart Weitzman, Tibi, and Tuleh.

After exhibition around the States, including Art Basel Miami, the shoes will be auctioned off in support of an Aids charity in (the northern) autumn 2009.

I’m really interested to see what will be designed by L.A.M.B – the Wizard of Oz look is a key part of Gwen’s style – but it would be wonderful if she took it to the next kooky level. My favourite of the sketches above is the darling Moschinos, with the split bow (I’m all about pretty bows at the moment). However, were you to give me any of them I would be in love! What would be your pick?

[via CLV]

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MAYAN KICKS

These are all over the shoe blogs this morning, and with good reason! Made by Visvim, a Japanese brand, these sneakers have been inspired by the colour, texture and patterns of Mayan culture. I really like the faded navy colour but as shown, it comes in black and white too. Far more interesting than your average pair of Converse! Available from Nos Japan.

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GIRLS TOTALLY LOVE SHOES

Tired of trawling ebay for vintage boots? Despairing at the local op-shops’ lack of everything your size? After designer vintage shoes that will delight and cause people to stop you on the street? Try Girls Love Shoes New York’s cool online shoe store, run by the two Ziprin sisters.

Above are some of the shoes that I picked out as winners, reflecting my current tastes for anything shiny, and shoes with cut-outs. I imagine the Andrea Carrano’s (on the left) would be awesome for late summer/early autumn hijinks. Apparently GLS have an incredible 2000 pairs of vintage shoes in their archive! A couple of them are pictured below, yes – drool worthy! I figure even I (with my exceedingly large feet) would be able to be find some stunners if I was to visit their LES store.

Photo credit: NYMag

On the basis of this collection the Girls are currently writing a book on notable shoes of our time. Sweet! In the mean time, shop online and check out an interview in NYMag, where Zia Ziprin discusses her fine tastes.

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Gram Design

Gram

Check out these awesome sneakers by Gram – I want them! I can imagine the green colourway being paired perfectly with black skinny jeans, while the crimson kicks could be matched with a simple white summer frock. Gram is a Swedish brand designed by Alexis Holm and Anna Stenvi, founded in Stockholm circa 2005.

From their design statement:

“In the weight of a shoe lies all it’s properties, expression, material, construction and quality. Weight reflects the simplicity of Gram, and also gives the impression of a shoe made to be used, designed to enhance the wearers own style without dictating or stealing attention.”

I have to disagree with one tiny part of this – Gram shoes are sure to grab attention! Available from several global stockists such as Bloomingdales, and online from 111Vox.

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