Saturday, April 30, 2011

CHANEL RUMOUR CONFIRMED FOR QLD



I'm delighted to report that the rumour is now confirmed; Brisbane (Queensland) will have it's first stand-alone Chanel Boutique by October this year.

The luxury French label will swing open it's first Queensland doors in QueensPlaza in Brisbane's CBD, the fifth Chanel Boutique to open in Australia.

"All of the stores will be stocking the same collections which are release concurrently globally by Chanel after the collections are launched in Paris," a Chanel rep said yesterday.

Thinking this gold Chanel ankle boot would suit a Queensland winter perfectly. Love!

Want to keep up with the latest from Chanel? Follow them on Facebook.


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ROYAL SHOE WRAP




In the tradition of British designers being selected for royal wedding gowns; Kate looked stunning in British label Alexander McQueen.

The official royal wedding blog reports she worked closely with McQueen head designer Sarah Burton in formulating the design of her dress.

The much speculated on wedding shoes were hand-made by the team at Alexander McQueen and were made of ivory duchesse satin with lace hand-embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework.

The UK's Daily Mail slammed Victoria Beckham for "Her very high shoes, custom-made by Christian Louboutin and costing well over £1,000, were surely as hazardous to her unborn fourth child as smoking 20 Capstan Full Strength." Ouch. Don't even start me on heels and pregnant women. Please!

Nude was certainly high on the pick list with loads of guests opting for the patent leather variety.

Finally, congratulations to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, for stepping out in a pair of Jimmy Choos. They may have been the most boring pair of Choos I've ever laid eyes on but hey, it could have been so much worse.


(Images: Getty + AP)


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Thursday, April 28, 2011

RALPH LAUREN SPRING SUMMER 2011







Ralph Lauren is just one of those labels I adore; especially the Summer Summer Collections.

Timeless and sophisticated elegance are always delivered in double doses of casual Chic.

Spring Summer 2011 is no exception with accents of leather, suede, platinum, ruffles, fringing and embroidery cleverly morphed into a glamorous American Western collection - the epitome of modern style.

Lauren's signature feminine glamour is a surefire winner. Love!


To view the entire collection go to Ralph Lauren or shop now @ Net A Porter

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A LITTLE GLAMOUR-CATION


This super-long weekend we opted to check out of our usually glamorous life and get back to basics.

We’d been working our butts off in preparation for an overseas trip at the end of May and after a lot of long working days and nights (and what seemed like a never-ending stream of parties and events) we thought it best to split our long weekend in two; spending some time relaxing at home and the other half at my parent’s gloriously quiet and serene seaside escape.

What I loved most about this long weekend was allowing Chic to take a back seat and just enjoy the simple things in life. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating throwing in the towel and living like some kind of surfing hippy, I am merely a new found believer in having a glamour-cation.

For the record, there was no abandonment of style. It is true that I may have worn a pair of Louis Vuitton wedges and matching fedora to the Power Boat Club, I did say ‘basics’ not outmoded.

Hilariously the most unbelievable thing I could have reported doing this weekend was fishing. Granted, I’m not fisher-folk and don’t see myself becoming passionately embraced in the past-time but my darling man wanted to revive his love of fishing so I indulged him.

A picture of my engaging is such a past-time uploaded onto Facebook attracted riotous feedback from friends, with the most entertaining being ‘Who are you?’

The answer my friends is, the same person I was last week, just having a little glamour-cation, something I’m now an activist for a little more than before. In the infamous words of Oprah Winfrey, “I still have my feet on the ground, I just wear better shoes.”

Enough reflection, I have a dinner party to prepare for back in my reality.


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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

HOW TO PICK A SHOE



by Manolo Blahnik


A good heel picks you. Don't follow trends - follow yourself, you have to stand tall and proud. Always go with your first choice, your gut reaction. This is what your soul says. You have to pick something that will make you look even more exciting, and feel even more adventurous than you did before.

My shoes are not fashion - they are moods and moments that want to come out and play. Every shoe must excite me, which is why I see every pair, every last, so if it doesn't delight me, it doesn't go through. I spend most of my time in the factory; working. Don't let yourself get distracted by fashion; if you did you would have to change your wardrobe every four months and where's the sense in that? It would make you a style schizophrenic. Be original, look at vintage but do not copy for the sake of copying, have some of your own ideas. Right now, good lord, every day, everywhere I look I am blown away by something inspiring. I always have had an incredible appetite for luxury, and Russia. At the moment I am so excited by Russia, and have just been to Moscow. I had never been, apart from in books, through Tolstoy and the Three Sisters. I say always go to the source always travel to find your inspiration, that's what all the great artists and romantics do.

I was always making shoes... even when it was subconscious. I know that sounds like a cliché but it's true, even the lizards and dogs in the garden didn't escape when I was a child - I would take the Cadbury's chocolate bonbon wrappers and make them little shoes. I was always twisting and shaping forms for the feet. I suppose the moment I really knew shoes were my destiny was when I moved to London. Of course there is the fairy tale about how I went to New York and met Mrs. Vreeland, you know all of that, but it was when I hit London that I think I decided in my heart I would make a go of this.

I think you must always show some toe cleavage. Toe cleavage is very important as it gives sexuality to the shoe. But careful you only show the first two cracks, you don't want to give too much away, you're not that type of girl... As for the heel, honey, it's got to be high. The transformation is INSTANT. It's a coup de théatrè. The height of a heel should depend on how dangerous you are feeling. High high high higher, I say! I am into comfort now: wear nothing less than 90mm. For me, the ultimate shoe would be a wonderful high court, in Spanish Red patent. Something dangerous and provocative.

When you have heels you only need to pack two black dresses, and fill the cases with twenty pairs of shoes. Let the heels do the talking, and you'll be ready for anything.

I hope my shoes are comfortable. I have been working with craftsmen who have been studying traditions that go back for two hundred or so year and after all the time I have been doing it I have learnt a few tricks, too. I don't wear them myself, I am not so into cross-men-dressing - no that is not for me - but I like to work on each creation so it is as comfortable as can be. My shoes are for dancing, for living, for moving; you can't wear things that make you feel crippled, get them off! I don't think you have to be perfect when you are walking in your heels, there is something charming about it being chaotic and precarious. I remember when I first noticed the blonde with big eyes, who I later came to know was Camilla [Morton]. I loved the way she walked in heels. I loved it when she tumbled and wobbled and tried to climb up ladders and over the bad streets in her heels. But now she is quite good, she doesn't really wobble so. She has character, and I think that is what you have to aim for. You can't just be a conveyor belt, you have to be individual.

Now, I am going all bourgeois: crocodile, luxury, expensive. But still the girls and even the granddaughters come - can you imagine? So cute, I love that the little children want to wear my shoes, as I love what I do, I don't change, and I don't look back and neither should you. Be fearless and always put your best foot forward.


Hard to argue with an icon. Go forth people!


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Wednesday, April 20, 2011

ZARA MAKES ITS OZ ENTRANCE




Yesterday Australia's first ZARA store swung open its doors to the public inside Sydney's Westfield, Pitt Street Mall and it did not disappoint.

My gal Sassi Sam tells me the Zara store is three floors, street level is Women’s, downstairs, baby and children and upstairs Men’s.

The store is 1400 square metres of retail space, with six display windows. The Sydney ZARA store also showcases Zara’s updated store image giving it a more streamlined and elegant look for a better shopping experience.

Australia is the 78th country ZARA has launched into, there will be two drops per week of new pieces, Tuesdays and Thursdays, ZARA are very conscious of not having mass market access to their ranges. Orders are sent to head office twice a week and leave the distribution centre within eight hours and arrive in store within 48 hours - incredible.

Anyone that has ever indulged in a little ZARA overseas will know the price point is amazing and the Oz pricing is no different. A must have camel coat for the season is just $219, a covetable beige trench coat, $119 and there’s on-trend shoes galore with black embellished heels @ $169.

If you haven't indulged in a little ZARA, best you get down there. Stat!

See the full store images @ Sassi Sam.


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Monday, April 18, 2011

SPARE £140,000 FOR NEW STILETTOS?



As supportive as I am with lavish spending on extravagant footwear I'm not sure even I could justify these.

British jewelry designer Christopher Michael Shellis has created a £140,000 pair of solid gold and diamond heels which are reportedly the most expensive shoes ever made.

"The aim of this was to create a unique form of jewellery which you can wear on your feet. It's a bit like if you found these on an archaeological dig in thousands of years time they would be regarded as a treasure—a treasure of the feet," explained Shellis in an interview with the UK's The Telegraph.

I don't suspect we'll see these specimens strutting around in Oz too soon but I'm sure they're perfect for someone attending the Royal Wedding?



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Sunday, April 17, 2011

KHLOE'S COLOUR COORDINATED SHOE ROBE





















Apparently reality TV glamourzon Khloe Kardashian colour coordinates her huge collection of designer shoes (above) because that makes it easier to find the pair she wants. Of course it does.

"I love all of my shoes! It is a must to have them colour coordinated, and to be able to see each and every one of them. It makes getting dressed in the morning much easier," femalefirst.co.uk quoted Kardashian as saying.

"I know exactly where each one is placed and I can tell if one has even been moved. It definitely helps to put one shoe facing front, and the other to the back. It saves space, but it is also nice to be able to see the back-side of the shoe. I am an organisation freak!," she added.

So there you go people. Colour coordinate away.

(Image Credit: ELLE)


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Wednesday, April 13, 2011

RED SOLE CATFIGHT ALERT














Here we go again.

Christian Louboutin is not at all happy with a fellow stilt peddler slicking some red on their soles.

While Louboutin seems to be in a constant state of battle with lesser brands mimicking his patented red soles, this time the fight is in the big league.

Apparently there is no room in the market for a second brand of shoes with red coloured soles and this time it is rival YSL.

Louboutin claim they were awarded an official trademark for the red sole in 2008 and have fiercely protected it since.

YSL have declined to comment on the case; although fashion insiders agree that the YSL shoes are part of a range where the soles are merely matching the colour of the upper, rather than various coloured shoes each with a red sole.

Make up your own mind. I don't mind YSL's matching red version.


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Saturday, April 09, 2011

LOVING YSL FOR MEN



While they may not suit all gents I am loving YSL's latest Men's shoe offering.

The iconic Jonny boot's had a makeover with leopard print calfskin and side elastic gores for added flexibility and comfort, a stitched leather sole and the classic 2 1/2 inch heel.

For those who love their kicks the mid top sneaker in white with black and grey trim features the Yves Saint Laurent signature and rubber sole.

Never fear the classics's like the Jailast Moccasin are still there. Why not walk on the wild side?

Love! View the entire collection here.



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Wednesday, April 06, 2011

CAN I GET THEM IN ALL COLOURS?


While we may all feel like slamming down the Amex and requesting one in every colour (and let's face it, a few of us have done that at some point...) the gorgeous Starr has immortalized the sentiment so you can relive that wonder right from the comfort of your own home.

The super-talented Queensland based artist is currently exhibiting @ Sydney's Traffic Jam Galleries in the Urban Passion exhibit.

Starr says; "This show will feature some of my fetish / obsession series - yes the white nudes series with shoes. Ok so my Urban Passion is shoes but what girl doesn't have the same passion for unique foot wear? We all heart shoes."

Love her work.

For more information go to her Facebook page or her Blog.


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Tuesday, April 05, 2011

BIKER WELLIES





















Anyone that's been reading my Blog for a while will know I love wellies. Seriously love.

The Wellington gets a contemporary makeover for Spring Summer 2011 with Burberry's buckle-detailed black biker wellie boots.

Make a splash with skinny jeans for our Australian Autumn / Winter season.

Love!


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PUT ON YOUR RED SHOES


According to UK's Vogue, the female cabin crew @ Virgin Atlantic will today be sporting new red shoes instead of their usual black ones.

Apparently the change was prompted by the success of a television advertising campaign in the UK which sees stewardesses wearing their uniform with red shoes.

"We have listened to our staff's comments and we have been working very hard to develop a pair of patent leather red shoes that will reflect the glamour of our iconic uniform," Steve Ridgway, chief executive of Virgin Atlantic Airways, said. "I am very pleased to see the launch of the new shoe on a day when we launch our new shiny Airbus A330 at Manchester Airport. I am sure the new red shoe will add even more glamour to our female uniformed staff worldwide."

The shoes themselves come in two styles - the three-inch Dorothy and the two-inch Dotty. They are made in red patent leather to complement the uniform, designed ten years ago by John Rocha, and are supplied in a yellow brick box. It seems the shoes are just the beginning of a uniform overhaul.


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Sunday, April 03, 2011

WEDGE LOVE


New YSL Spring Summer 2011.

Pretty heavy artillery in the back there. Love!


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