HOTTEST BOOTS FOR 2010

When it comes to boots this season we have loads of options.

Shoe Addict frequently gets requests asking for opinions on what’s hot & where to get it, so due to popular demand, here are this season’s pick of boots for 2010.

Peep-toe boots, ankle boots, thigh-high & knee-high boots are all hot, & no matter what you're heel preference or endurance capacity is, there's something for everyone.

Here are some of the hottest trends to look for & where to get them:

I am loving peep-toe boots, given I did flat equine & ultra high dominatrix last Winter (not to say I don’t plan on adopting both again in addition), I plan on jumping into peeps this season - & besides, if they’re hot enough for French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld front row at Paris Fashion Week, I’m all over them! Love Giuseppe Zanotti’s canvas ankle boot (Net-A-Porter), Alexander McQueen’s fold-over canvas boot (Net-A-Porter) & Jimmy Choo’s cut-out ankle boot (Jimmy Choo).

Ankle boots are hot again this season with some fresh takes on last season’s specimens. For a cute take on the classic brogue these Minx Hoochie Mama boots are fun (Izabel). On my wish list are the Chloe’s super stylish Muttone ankle boots (Jean Brown) & for a choice that’s easier on the budget, go for Sportsgirl’s Rennie Wedge boot (not pictured) in Camel.

Thigh-high & knee-high options this season are abundantly available in killer heels or flats. For a little Pirate Chic opt for Chloe’s black leather flat knee fold over boots (Jean Brown) or my favourite’s this season to date, Vivienne Westwood’s Pirate boots (Net-A-Porter).

Great thigh-high & knee-high all-rounders are Wittner’s V Vivienne over-the-knee flats & their Vada over-the-knee heels (not pictured) – check them out, great buys!

My picks are Tilly Rose’s gorgeous casual Chic flat knee-high boot in light tan (High Heels) & YSL’s easy boot in black (Jean Brown).

That’s a wrap ladies, hope this answers all of your questions!

(All boots pictured from top to bottom as mentioned)

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ARMANI STILL CLOSED FOR BUSINESS

Emperor of elegant shoes & couture, Giorgio Armani was due to open his first hotel in Dubai’s Burj Khalifa today & rumour has it, the project will be delayed by more than a month.

Residing in 10 floors of the world’s tallest building, the luxury hotel is now scheduled to open on April 22, said people close to the project, who declined to be identified because there hasn’t been an official announcement. Neither Armani’s company nor Emaar Properties PJSC, the building’s developer & manager, would confirm that the opening won’t take place today.

The troubled skyscraper was opened in January 2010, more than 12mths late complete with light, water & firework displays. Within a month, the observation deck on the 124th floor was shut after a high-speed elevator stalled, stranding visitors inside & still remains closed. Armani Hotel’s last public statement, on Jan. 4, said the 160-room hotel would open today.

Bloomberg reports: “Emaar isn’t in a hurry to open this hotel,” said Majed Azzam, an analyst at Al-Futtaim HC Securities in Dubai. “They want to make sure everything is working properly because the Armani brand is on the line here.”

Emaar’s managing director, Ahmed Al Matrooshi, declined to comment on the delay when contacted by telephone, and e-mailed questions to the company’s public relations firm weren’t answered. A spokeswoman for Milan-based Giorgio Armani SpA, who asked not to be named, also declined to comment.

Designed by Armani himself, the hotel will include eight restaurants, a spa & a lounge, in addition to chocolate & flower shops.

(Source & Image Credit: Bloomberg)

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AUSTRALIA GOES GAGA

When I first set eyes on Alexander McQueen's mammoth hoof stilettos I did pose the question – who the heck would wear them? Answer: Lady Gaga.

In her latest video, the eccentric singer sports the super-high hoof heels, marking the first time these crazy creations have been donned by a celeb.

24yr old drag-queenesque Gaga has landed in Oz kicking off her Australian tour in Sydney last night.

With numerous costume changes, rumours that one of her props has its own plane, & a two-&-a-half hour set – revelers were not disappointed at Sydney’s Entertainment Centre last night.







To celebrate the arrival of Lady Gaga in Australia here are just a few of her extreme shoe moments!

(Image Credits: Getty, NY Daily)

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LOVING CHANEL Spring Summer 2010

The new Spring-Summer 2010 collection is now available in CHANEL boutiques.

Gorgeous. Love! Discover the first online brochure "Latin Lover" photographed by the amazing Karl Lagerfeld at www.chanel-latinlover.com

Images to die for & shoes to match!

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IT'S JESSICA SIMPSON'S TURN...

It’s good to know that while she hasn’t had as much success recently with her music Jessica Simpson is keeping herself occupied.

Simpson started her design endeavours with shoes making sassy ‘quality’ footwear at a price that didn't reflect her superstar status. Apparently she has the most successful celeb shoe line in the US, & has since expanded her line to include handbags, dresses, outerwear, luggage & plans to move into denim's.

Jess may not be so lucky in love, music or her acting career right now but she may have found her forte for now in the design department.

The US can catch her on new reality show on VH1 The Price of Beauty & if you’re keen to get your hands on her wares, department stores Macy’s & Nordstrom will have you covered. Prefer to do so from the comfort of your Mac – shop online @ JessicaSimpsonCollection.com.

Not bad, I'm down with affordable Chic.

(Image Credit: Getty)

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OSTENTATIOUSLY HIDEOUS ZANOTTI

I have no idea what the folks at Giuseppe Zanotti were thinking but these garish stilettos are distressing.

The 3½-inch-tall dollar sign encrusted with Swarovski crystals embellishes the 4½-inch high-heeled gold leather strappy sandal. One way to ‘pimp your ride’ I suppose.

Just to show that having cash does not guarantee good taste, the dollar-motif footwear retails at $995USD at the Italian shoe designer's Madison Avenue New York boutique.

Tawdry, crude & ostentatiously hideous, sorry Zanotti, really dislike!

(Image Credit: New York Post)

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LIGHT ME UP JIMMY CHOO

Here is the star in Jimmy Choo's Spring Summer 2010 Ad campaign; introducing the Zap Catwalk Sandal.

The Zap Sandal by Jimmy Choo features a five-inch heel that lights up when you dance (& I presume when you walk). For a price tag of $2,495USD one wonders how many will be on the wait list?

Do we love or hate? Why leave the light-up shoes to the kids!

To join the wait list email: stockupdate@jimmychoo.com

(Image Courtesy of Jimmy Choo)

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MADDEN'S MATERIAL GIRL

Steve Madden is rumoured to be the designer charged with providing shoes for Madonna's new Material Girl ‘ juniors’ collection in association with Iconix.

Madonna continues her assault on global domination by launching MG Icon LLC. The series of Madge-branded businesses kicks off with the Material Girl juniors line, launching exclusively at Macy's in August & will rely heavily on shoes which are cited as a teen favourite.

Can't argue with that, & can't argue that NYC based Madden is just the man to create popular fast-fashion footwear for a celebrity partner.

(Image Credit: Getty)

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AMY WINEHOUSE - FASHION ICON...?

Preppy US fashion company Fred Perry is tarnishing its reputation by doing a fashion line with Amy Winehouse. No, that is not a typo... Amy Winehouse.

Women’s Wear Daily reports that the collection will be in stores in October 2010, featuring “a girlish twinset; slim, thigh-skimming pencil skirts; capri pants, a mini bowling dress, & Fred Perry’s signature polo shirt” in a palette of mostly black and pink.

I’m sorry, did I miss something? Has Winehouse suddenly cleaned up her act & returned to her glammed up retro-rock look of old? A great look for her prior to the insanity of the downward drug induced spiral she’s currently on.

I know this Blog reported Winehouse’s $10,000 bender on shoes in an afternoon but a fashion authority this does not make.

Maybe it’s just me but images of her running through the streets of London in 2007 with bloodied ballet shoes during a fight with then-husband Blake Fielder Civil, don’t scream fashion icon.

Good luck Fred Perry, I just don’t see it!


(Source: WWD – Image Credit: Xposure)

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OSCARS 2010 SHOES - TOP TRENDS

Platforms, platforms, platforms it seems, were the favourite of the night with most stars opting to don a pair.

More on Oscars shoes – after all, the Academy Awards are all about fashion.

Though spectacular, the capacious dresses hid some of the most stunning shoes. Best Actress nominee Carey Mulligan (“An Education”) made her Oscar debut in head-to-toe Prada, donning sky-high black heels.

Despite the shocking overall picture of Mariah Carey, I did love her nude Christian Louboutin heels. Demi Moore’s choice were towering satin stilettos by Versace; and presenters Amanda Seyfried and Cameron Diaz wore Brian Atwood.


Jimmy Choo & Sergio Rossi were popular picks this year, offering Hollywood glitz and glamour with satin, crystal and metallic details. For Team Jimmy Choo were Best Actress winner Sandra Bullock (“The Blind Side”), funny lady Tina Fey, Best Supporting Actress Mo’Nique (“Precious”) and 16-time Oscar nominee Meryl Streep. Turning to Sergio Rossi were Best Supporting Actress nominees Penélope Cruz (“Nine”) & Anna Kendrick (“Up in the Air”), presenters Rachel McAdams and Elizabeth Banks, attendees Paula Patton (“Precious”), Michelle Pfeiffer and Zooey Deschanel.


Jennifer Lopez kicked a goal in her heavenly Giorgio Armani Privé gown & satin Salvatore Ferragamo pumps.

Ferragamo was big for the gents, including Matt Damon, who was nominated for his role in “Invictus,” presenter Jake Gyllenhaal & “Star Trek” star Chris Pine.

Some chose to keep it real with "Avatar" star Sam Worthington in Payless dress shoes with his Brioni tux.

(Source: WWD – Image Credit: Just Jared)

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OSCARS HIT & MISS

Elizabeth Banks is my pick for Oscars Best Dressed in this stunning floor length Versace gown.

Grey is always a big call at the Oscars, but I love it, teamed with super-hot platform stilettos this is a winner!

Honourable mentions must go to style-myster SJP (Chanel Couture) & Demi Moore (Atelier Versace). Loved!

Not to disappoint, Mariah Carey wins Worst Dressed hands down for this dress & shoe combo. What was she thinking? This beautiful Valentino gown may have been lovely - on someone else. Cover it up Mariah, we've seen it all before.

Thankfully Oscar winning Mo'Nique either shaved her legs this time or spared us all the sight!

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STOCKHOLM STUDENT BRILLIANCE

Naim Josefi and Souzan Youssouf of Stockholm's two most prestigious design schools, Beckmans & Konstfack, have collaborated to produce these architecturally awe-inspiring & completely wearable shoes.

3D printed in polyamide, they formed five pairs for Naim's "Melonia" Collection, shown during the Stockholm Fashion Show earlier this month.

The concept for the shoes call for further exploration in ever-developing rapid prototyping processes. The pair envisage a world in which we could produce and recycle such objects in a closed loop.

Images from Naim's own homepage. Well worth a look & remember this is a student!

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WHAT A DOLL

It seems women never grow out of Barbie, & if they did, Christian Louboutin sorted that right out!

Undoubtedly a master of fabulous footwear, Louboutin has collaborated with Barbie to craft a Chic line of limited edition dolls.

Following the Über success of Cat-Burglar Barbie comes the 2nd installment in the collectors set, the Dolly Forever Barbie, available from this week @ Net-A-Porter.

She takes inspiration from Spring Summer 2010’s military enthused collections in her khaki tunic & dons a magnificent pair of fuchsia fringed boots. As an added bonus she comes with pink retro sunglasses & three additional miniature pairs of signature red-soled shoes.

Net-A-Porter says, “Dolly Forever Barbie arrives complete with everything she needs to stylishly navigate the urban jungle.”

Love it. However, I am wondering how she will ‘navigate’ little Miss 6 playing mermaids with her in the bath…? While I adore the concept, I’m not sure I could part with 100 pounds for my Louboutin Dolly Forever Barbie to end up in the aftershock of this dishevelment.

If you’re not quite ready to invest in the exclusive red slicked soles to adorn your own feet, perhaps this is the way to go?

Being a minimalist in the abode, I’m also unsure as to what I would do with them post procurement. Unlike my mother, who is a maximist, displaying every single trinket she’s acquired in her rich life – I don’t really operate in this manner. Maybe this is a purchase I can resist…?

Who the heck am I kidding? What the hell else am I going to do with that white floating Ikea shelf sitting in the useless broom-cupboard yet to be installed…

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FAB FIND: HIGH HEELS SHOP

I love to discover little shoe treasure troves where I least expect them.

Not that I don’t consider the Sunshine Coast a great place for a spot of fashion shopping, quite the contrary, what I didn’t expect was a sassy little shop of this nature on the strip @ Mooloolaba.

At the base of the gorgeous Oceans resort resides High Heels, an endearing little boutique touting all things shoes, handbags & a splash of easy to wear staples (think Wyse).

Good mid-range brands like Sambag, Nat-Sui, Guess, Peep Toe, Nude & Sachi to name a few, are delicately arranged on glass shelving amongst endearing up-to-the-minute jewelry & accessories.

Whilst the fitout lacks a little in sophistication, their online presence & brochures hint at what is to come for High Heels.

Shop in person or online, this store has what it takes to be a winner. Love!

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"BLOGGERS ARE THE NEW BLACK"

Bloggers are the new black, well, according to Marie Claire & who'd dare argue with a fashion bible?

Marie Claire says; "Meet Fashion's New Front Row: Once seen as outsiders, these fabulous nobodies are now feted by editors, courted by advertisers and flown around the world by designers. No longer reporting news – they're making it. To put it in fashion speak, bloggers are the new black."

Congrats to the dedicated Australian Front Row Bloggers Matt Jordan & Patty Huntington!

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THE STAR & THE SHOEMAKER

In 1927 a twenty-nine-year-old Italian shoemaker called Salvatore Ferragamo met a Swedish lady called Greta Louvisa Gustafson and a friendship began. The Swedish lady was better known, of course, as Greta Garbo or “The Face”. On that occasion Ferragamo designed a pair of shoes for her and she did not forget him.

Ferragamo, born in Bonito, Avellino [Campania] in 1898, had left Italy for the USA at the age of sixteen. In America he first set up a shoe repair shop but was soon making made-to-measure shoes which were coveted by the rich and famous. Ferragamo earned the title of “shoemaker to the stars” and returned to Italy later in 1927.

In 1949 Garbo visited Ferragamo’s shop in Florence and told him that she “wanted to walk”. She had come to the right person, for in America Ferragamo had studied anatomy so that he could be sure that his shoes would not hurt their wearers. After five sittings he designed a collection of beautiful, low-heeled shoes for Garbo, including a pair of red calfskin sandals which she adored. The actress purchased seventy pairs of Ferragamo’s shoes during this visit.

In 2008 Garbo’s great-nephew, Craig Reisfield, visited the Ferragamo Museum in Florence and told the Director, Stefania Ricci, about clothes and accessories of Garbo’s that were in his possession. Thus the idea for an exhibition was born.

“Greta Garbo – Il mistero dello stile” runs until 4th April at the Triennale, Milan. The exhibition tells the story of Garbo’s relationship with fashion and visitors will be able to see costumes from some of her films as well as some of her signature raincoats, hats, trousers and gloves in a section called “Everyday Elegance”.

Tailored jackets designed for Garbo by the Russian-born Valentina, who lived in the same apartment block during the actress’s retirement years, are also on show. The overall impression is that of a woman who, perhaps ahead of her time, dressed for herself, but elegantly. The exhibition includes film clips and a section devoted to photographs of Garbo’s face.

The Ferragamo autumn-winter collection for 2010 – 11 includes clothes inspired by actresses of Garbo’s era and Garbo-style shoes.

“Garbo – Il mistero dello stile” is at the Triennale, Milan until 4th April. Admission is free.

The exhibition will transfer to the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum in Florence in May and will run there until September.


(Story & images via Italy Magazine - words by Pat Eggleton)

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SHAPE UPS? NOT SO MUCH

For a multi-billion dollar sports brand, there's a lot to love about ‘toning’ footwear with potential annual sales of $1 billion & growing, (shoes selling at exorbitant prices that look aesthetically questionable), & a huge market of walkers looking to shape-up.

The principle; they slightly upset the wearer's balance & force muscles to work harder while walking -today's fastest-growing athletic footwear category.

According to Reuters the toning category's dizzying growth -- from $17 million in 2008 to $245 million in 2009, according to research firm NPD Group -- is in sharp contrast to the 1.4 percent decline in overall athletic footwear sales in 2009.

And although toning shoes make up just a small part of the overall $18.6 billion U.S. athletic shoe market, they drove sales gains over the holidays. This month it was estimated $1 billion in toning shoe sales in 2010.

Interestingly with Reebok, Sketchers & Adidas all onboard, Nike - the global leader in athletic footwear – is nowhere to be found?

"They should have been on this sooner and they're playing catch-up now," said analyst Matt Powell of research firm SportsOneSource. "Clearly, Nike is losing significant market share."

Powell estimates that Nike took a 20 percent market share loss in women's footwear in the fourth quarter due to what he called a "lack of focus on the female customer."

But others say Nike's absence is 100 percent deliberate.

"They're about pure, raw sports," said Brian McGough, an analyst with investment research firm Hedgeye Risk Management. "I don't know that a toning shoe fits there. That screams Reebok."

I’ve tried the Sketchers Shape-Ups & while the promotional material claims the wearer will lose weight & tone while doing normal activity, I remain skeptical. You can definitely feel the difference in posture but I think the main difference was that I was far more conscious of how I use my body when wearing them. (As well as being self conscious, these shoes are NOT pretty)!

They’re sure hard to miss in the US, every sports store we entered or walked past seemed to be dedicating significant shelf & window time to these specimens.

It seems these shoes are marketed to primarily women, who aren’t actually interested in breaking any kind of sweat whilst exercising, with the likes of Reebok touting "EasyTone" shoes, meanwhile, help you "get better legs and a better butt with every single step."

However unattractive, this is definitely a growing market with both men & children ripe for the picking.

Don't take my word for it - strap on a pair & make up your own mind.

(Source: Reuters)

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CHANEL'S VICE HEELS PACK HEAT

Unsurprisingly, Madonna caught some heat for wearing Chanel’s gun heel shoes to the NYC screening of her film “Filth and Wisdom” in which the music icon made her directorial debut.

Chanel’s creative director Karl Lagerfeld was inspired to create the gun toting stilts by an image of a gun he saw & gave to Chanel’s shoe designer Laurence Decade, asking him to make the heat-packing shoes.

Lagerfeld’s killer heels seem to be mocking women for their love-hate relationship with heels with the creation of the “Miami Vice” shoes.

The Vice heels debuted at the Chanel resort presentation & are lethally yours when they hit the stores this month.

Want more Chanel? Join their Facebook Fan Page

(Image Credit: Trendhunter)

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