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Celebrity Shoe Designers

Written by on December 7, 2011

You, too, can walk in celebrity shoes.

Celebrity shoe divas are working hard this season to increase their mega ka-zillion dollar businesses with every footstep that we take. Whether they jumped from fashion design to graphic designs for their branding strategy, to beauty products, or whatever, they inevitably lure us in with their shoe designs.

Let’s take a look at just a few of them who have ventured into the female footwear pond:

  • Ivanka Trump
    • Fashion style icon and one of NBC’s The Celebrity Apprentice stars, Trump most definitely has defined footwear and shoe trends this year. As winner of the FN 2011 Achievement Awards Launch of the Year, Trump launched her fabulous, affordable shoe line at Macy’s New York earlier this year.
  • Jessica Simpson
    • Shoes and boots, handbags, jeanswear, coats, dresses, eyewear, swimwear, accessories, luggage, beauty, and fragrance. OMG…, is there anything else? Soon she will publish a fashion style report on her website. In the meantime, check out Simpson’s Look Book and videos.
  • Lauren Conrad
    • Former FIDM student Lauren Conrad and star of MTV’s The Hills recently launched her shoe designs. Available at Kohl’s, the shoe collection is called feminine, fun, and affordable.
  • Adrienne Maloof 
    • 5’3” star of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Adrienne Maloof has plunged into the shoe business. A recent episode showcased her shoes at a fashion show featuring the extraordinary fashion creations of FIDM Alum Kevan Hall.
  • Paris Hilton
    • Media personality and celebrity socialite Paris Hilton made the word “hot” even hotter. She and Antebi have a licensing agreement for her signature footwear line which features stilettos, wedges, platforms, and flats.

Categories: celebrity shoe news, Trend Posts

Eco-Friendly Shoes

Written by on December 7, 2011

Did you know that more than 17 billion pairs of shoes are produced each year? A 2011 survey showed that we American women own an average of 17 pairs of shoes. Recently, I’ve been wondering what our individual shoe-loving, footprint (pun intended) is on our fragile environment.

According to National Geographic, many shoes contain harmful glues and synthetic, petroleum-based materials, ranging from polyurethane to PVC. These may release toxic chemicals into the atmosphere during the manufacturing and production processes.

Sustainable shoes. Eco-friendly shoes. Recycled shoes. Organic shoes. Environmentally friendly shoes. Vegan shoes. Whatever name we shoe design consumers choose to use, product developers worldwide are striving to meet the demand. So the question arises–is it possible to find ones that are fashion-forward and affordable?

Let’s take a look at some of the shoe brands that offer us some viable choices.

Colourful Grass Shoe Company. Company official Angele Miller said she wanted to make environmentally friendly, vegan shoes that would appeal to a broad audience, fashion and budget wise. Many flat slip-on men’s and women’s styles are under $80 and available online. Her Colourful Grass shoes are made with hemp, recycled rubber, coconut shells, and water-based glue.

Neuaura. Shoes made entirely free from animal products. This shoe brand features such styles as wedges, stilettos, and cowboy boots.

Naya. This company also makes Via Spiga and Franco Sarto shoes. Their flats, sandals, and wedges range from $110 to $130.

Melissa. While collaborating with such fashion designers as Jean Paul Gaultier and Vivienne Westwood, this Brazilian brand produces shoes from recyclable PVC.

The Vegetarian Site: Vegan Shoes. Online shopping for men’s and women’s footwear include styles such as athletic, hikers, boots, sandals, and clogs.

PUMA. Last year PUMA replaced their much loved, but carbon intensive, shoe box with a new sustainable shoe bag.

Categories: shoe brands, Trend Posts

Legwear, Socks, and Hosiery

Written by on December 7, 2011

Get a leg up as you move fashion forward! The desire to adorn our feet with fabulous footwear design is a passion–true enough. But what happens when we want to cover our feet and wrap our legs in legwear luxury?

This season has brought out some of the most spectacular looks we’ve seen in years. Even though black leggings or tights are a staple in almost every wardrobe, our yearning for colors and patterns has lagged far behind. That is, until now. This fashion season, we shoe-vanistas have finally been met full fashion force by the creativity of hosiery and legwear manufacturers and designers.

The legwear landscape is becoming almost as bold as we shoe-obsessed consumers are. So whether you classify yourself as chic, classic, elegant, or hip, the legwear marketplace has something for everyone of us trendsetting divas.

  • Bootights: Check out this made in the USA “socks + tights” that equals bootights. By Leg Up, these are the only tights made especially for boots. Whether you’re looking for cable knit, argyle, fishnet, or grey flannel pinstripes, there’s something here sure to please.
  • HerLook: Another recommendation is Commando Legwear. Whether you’re looking for fabulous fishnets, sexy stripes, leopard legs, opaque matte tights, big dot sheers, or dazzling diamonds, you’re bound to find something here out of the ordinary.
  • MeMoi: This site has it all. Socks. Leggings. Leg Warmers. Tights and more. They even carry bodywear, and shapewear.
  • Curvaceous Boutique: This is the number one source for trendy and fashionable plus size clothing. Check it out for an array of leggings, including green newspaper, cover girl, writing on the wall, and many more.  Priced from $29.99 up, the size range is 1X-3X.
  • Shoe Buy: Hundreds and hundreds of socks.  Patterns from Nordic strips to bows and ribbons. This site offers trendy and fun legwear for the non-faint-of-sole.

Categories: socks and stockings, Trend Posts

Shoe Shopping Survey Report

Written by on December 7, 2011

We’re truly head over heels for our shoes, aren’t we?

I decided that it might be interesting to share a shoe survey that outlines the statistics and analytics about our insatiable shoe shopping habits. The first one I came across was from ShopSmart magazine, which is published by Consumer Reports. It polled over 1,000 women 18 years old and older.

Would you believe that thee and me are in an alternate universe relative to Imelda Marcos’ shoe obsession! If I remember correctly, she is reported to have owned over 3,000 pairs of shoes. Now that’s what I call a shoe shopping diva.

The report found the following:

  • American women own an average of 17 pairs of shoes.
  • We wear only 3 pairs on a regular basis.
  • Women in the USA buy 3 pairs of shoes a year.
  • The average purchase price is $49.
  • Only 31% have spent more than $100 on a single pair of shoes.
  • 60% say they’re willing to tolerate pain for the sake of fashion.  (Well duhhh…)
  • Almost 20% go shoe shopping to cheer themselves up.
  • 24% have fallen because of their shoes.

And this is the finding that I love the best… 46% have bought an ugly pair of shoes because they are comfortable. Shoe love hurts, huh? But let’s go shoe shopping anyway.

Categories: shoes etc.

Runway and Catwalk Shoe Details

Written by on December 6, 2011

Shoe design is about the style, fabrication, color, heel, purpose, and decorations. Just like the forever fashionable LBD/little black dress is about the silhouette, what causes it to stand out are the details and accessories. And, of course—the shoes!

So what are the features that make this season’s runway shoes more than a flash in the pan? The details.

After viewing a variety of sites showing this season’s catwalk shoe designs, I’ve compiled a list of runway shoe details that are vital for the bona fide shoe-vanista. So while you’re shopping for that must-have pair of sole soothers, look for one or more of the following:

  • Snub-nosed platforms
  • Clunky platforms
  • Cut-outs
  • Zippers
  • Buckles
  • Narrow spikes
  • Edgy wedges
  • Patent leather
  • Laser-cut suedes
  • Lace-printed leathers
  • Color-blocked with bold colors
  • High heeled loafers with tassels
  • Sparkle Plenty heels with metalwork
  • Reptile skins: Python, lizard, crocodile, or even faux versions
  • Boots with collars that can be folded up or scrunched down
  • …and peep-toed anything!

Categories: catwalk and fashion runway shoes, Trend Posts

Shoe Accessories–Jewelry and Spats

Written by on November 16, 2011

You never have to wear plain shoes again! How about a shoe makeover! Let’s change up that comfortable, broken-in pair of your favorites with a new fashion accessory. Whether that pair is sneakers, athletic shoes, ballet slippers, stilettos, or boots, add an accent to personalize your footwear favorite.

Ah, you could spend all day just touching, feeling, and trying new fashion trends and styles. Jewelry, shoes, purses, scarves, and more. Hum. Well, what if we mixed a couple of those? Like shoes and jewelry. Voila, shoe jewelry. A little research revealed a ton of possibilities: shoe jewels, boot jewelry, shoe bows, crystal shoe clips, sneaker jewelry, shoe ornaments, shoe charms, shoe tags, and shoe spats.

Yes—you read that right! Shoe Spats! But let’s begin with the shoe jewelry sites.

Absolutely Audrey Shoe Clips. Vintage, casual, evening, and bridal shoe clips from $9.99…buttons, buckles, and more. Bejeweled or leather flower shoe clips. Tulle fabric or satin, peacock feathers or enamel, $9.75 and up. And don’t forget to check out the Sale Section.

Hot On My Heels. Want to drape your feet in stiletto swagger. $45 and up. Beads, chains, and cross details, as well as studs and crystals.

Jibbitz. Decorate your Crocs. Women, men, girls, and boys. Over 700 items from $2.49 up. Mythical creatures, careers, music, sports items, flags, flowers, and fashion accessories, etc.

Kickbars. Express your personality. Decorate your sneakers with the real thang! Custom hot rod, midnight, fruity, and princess KickBars. White gold with black diamonds, pink sapphires, emeralds, or rubies. You talk about “kicking it”? WOW!

Shoeworthy. Enhance or embellish your heels with rhinestone ornaments, rosettes, bows, or bracelets. The bridal collection offers gorgeous clips for transforming basic bridal shoes.

Now for the shoe spats for women. FYI: Spats were primarily worn by men in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, they’re frequently part of gangster costumes worn at Halloween. Etsy offers an assortment from Victorian bow spats ($30) to tucked flower spats ($69).

So, no more Plain Jane, right?

Categories: shoe accessories, Trend Posts