Foot Fetish

Shoes shoes shoes...I love shoes, la lala lala. If I could only buy one thing for the rest of my life, it wouldn't be clothes, it wouldn't be bags, it wouldn't be jewellery, it'd be shoes- a girls best friend! These are my favourite shoes shown throughout fashion month. There were certainly other shoes I was impressed with (think Chanel's cut in half heels, Galliano's insane wooden platform things, etc), but these are the ones that I would actually wear.

Above, clockwise from top left: Hermes, Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony, Carolina Herrera, Dior, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Pucci, Alexander

McQueen x2.

Judging by the first set, you can certainly see my love of lace-up and buckled shoes. The Hermes pair are rather similar to my own Kurt Geiger shoes, except they have a peep-toe. The Chloe Sevigny for OC pair are actually wedges, and have a hell of a lot of buckles. I freaking love them. Next up, something a bit more feminine and romantic, the Caroline Herrera pumps have rather lovely copper rose embellishments. The Diors have an interesting horn shaped heel, a hidden platform (which I don't think I own an example of yet), and they lace-up, therefore, they are an automatic win. Lim's booties are a combination of all things I love in footwear. The Pucci stilettoes leave me speechless. Its refreshing to see a shoe without a platform, there's nice brogue style perforations (always a good thing), patent leather and oh.my.god look at the buckles on them! If I had to pick a favourite, I'd choose these. They'd be a pain in the arse to buckle up and un-buckle again, but oh so worth it. Moving on...McQueens shoes featured amazing little curved platforms, and the boots had really sinister rivets along the black seam and down the heel. Just what I need.

Below, clockwise from top left: Dolce and Gabbana, Chloe x2, Louis Vuitton, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Zac Posen x2.

I finally found a picture of the Dolce and Gabbana wedges I mentioned in yesterdays post. I know I saw a clearer picture somewhere else, but I can't find it so this one will have to do. One of the handbags is also shown. The Chloe shoes are adorable. Nice to see no platform, and bows on shoes is always nice. Something about the triple tiered nature of the bows and embellishment is winning me over. The Vuittons I like from behind, but to be honest I'm not sure if I'd like them from the front, as I can't find a clear enough picture. The velvet ties, conical heel with gold balls, and lace over satin is all looking very promising though. The black and blue suede pumps by Lim are nice, but in reality I was probably swayed by the overall image of lace socks and nonchalantly cuffed trousers. From what I can see, the shoes appear to have a steel capped toe, which makes them extra special, and in all probability I would wear them. The final two pairs are by Zac Posen. The first red satin heels are pretty standard shoes with ankle ties. It's the little leaves on the ties that make the shoes just that little bit more special and covetable. I wouldn't normally go for this type of sandal, but the leaves really do if for me. Finally, a little bit odd, but in a good way...burnt orange velvet, clear plastic, and crystal embellishment. Sounds wrong, but they're really rather endearing. Oh wow, thats a lot of writing. I didn't know I could talk about shoes so extensively.

images from style.com, dazeddigital.com and jakandjil.com/blog.

Feeling Surreal

Dolce & Gabbana isn't a label I'd normally draw inspiration from. Sure, they have in the past piqued my interest with certain items, but I'm not exactly a fan. I guess one way I can relate to their work is that both Dolce & Gabbana and I don't exactly follow the 'less is more' ethos. They sure like to create a visual feast in their outfits, and so do I. Their fall 09 collection was on the whole rather good, and I found myself coveting several pieces. The collection was purportedly inspired by Elsa Shiaparelli and her surrealist glamour. This was best demonstrated in the accessories, with amazing shoes and bags. Oh...and pairs of gloves attached to the head, waist and neckline. 

images from style.com

So, in homage to the collection, I tried my very own watered down version of the looks presented. One of the main features of the collection is glaringly obvious: the big round shoulder. Whilst I may not quite be able to reach the epic catwalk proportions, this top of mine is a good start. I've had it years and years, and haven't worn it in, well, years and years. Many of the outfits were black and white, and many featured polka dots....hence the choice of skirt and shoes. Finally, gold necklaces were needed. Lots of them. There was also some turquoise thrown into the mix (on Elsa Sylvan, top left on the first photo)...so I wore some too. Anyway, I'm waffling. Looking back at the photos, I get more of a Frida Kahlo vibe than Shiaparelli.....or maybe thats just me?   

Shoes (Viktor + Rolf), bag (Vivienne Westwood), fur stole (M&S), top (?), skirt (Hurwundeki), belt (Topshop)

Sentimental

My boyfriend will appreciate this outfit, as its what I wore on our official first date. It was a very very good evening, as we went to see one of our favourite bands perform live in the amazing setting of the Royal Albert Hall. We also got heinously drunk on £5 glasses of wine, missed the last train home, wandered about lost, and I fell over and ripped my favourite trousers....but forgetting all that, it was a mega fun night. It was around this time last year that I bought this jacket, and started to incorporate more colour into my life. I don't know what made me put the top, jacket and scarf together, but its a combination I used to wear a lot. The grey socks were chosen to echo the silver top, and the shoes to tie in with the red scarf.  I don't think I'll ever get bored of wearing these shoes, they give me a  5" boost in height AND they are comfy. In addition to the sentimental outfit, today also heralded the return of my trench. Yes, it is finally warm enough to forgo wool coats. I'm clearly very happy about this...

Trench (Zara), shoes (Office), vintage blazer, vintage t-shirt, trousers (H&M), vintage scarf. 

We can do it!

I've been thinking about wearing little bobby socks with these shoes for a while, and had the chance to try it out yesterday. I tried white socks but the contrast was too much with the black tights, so opted for grey instead. This dress doesn't get much wear, but it fits in nicely with the theme going on...its sort of utilitarian in a 40's war-time way. With the scarf, the dress and shoe- sock combo, I felt like a dedicated Land Girl, hence the the Rosie the Riveter pose above. Alas, I probably wouldn't be much use in a war, and don't quite exude the hardiness given off by Rosie, but lets hope thats never put to the test. P.S more opaque hosiery would have looked better, but its still bloody freezing in England. 

Shoes (Urban Outfitters), cardigan (Topshop), dress (Topshop), vintage belt, scarf (Tata-Naka)

Old dress, new look

This is a dress I've had a number of years, and wear on a fairly regular basis. It's a pretty standard dress, easy to dress up or down. It occured to me the other night that I could layer my stripy skirt underneath the top sheer layer of the dress. So I gave it a go, and was rather pleased with the results. Its nothing too spectacular, but its nice to have a new way of wearing both the skirt and the dress. 

Shoes (Kurt Geiger), jacket (Miss Selfridge), dress (Topshop), vintage skirt, vintage belt.

Ode to Lim

As promised in the previous post, here is my 3.1 Phillip Lim fall 09 inspired look. I had to throw my wig on, as much of the swinging sixties vibe felt in said collection comes from the sharp bob hairstyle used. I'm seriously itching it chop all my hair off, but I know I'd miss piling my hair of top of my head and creating huge hairstyles, so I won't be doing it. Outfit wise, I went for a mini skirt (obviously), a ruffle blouse, deep red/plum tights, and tan blazer...all elements lifted from the collection. This shade of orangey tan really was popular in the sixties. I was watching 'On Her Majesty's Secret

Service' the other day (a rather bored Sunday), which was filmed in 1969, and there was one particular busy scene, with lots of extras in the shot, and about 95% of the people were wearing this shade. I'm not sure if it was intentional, but it was hilarious. Anyway, back to 2009...how could I wear a sixties inspired outfit and not wear my Biba shoes?! Any excuse to wear such beauteous creatures is fine by me.

Vintage blazer, shoes (Biba), scarf (Accessorize), top (Warehouse), skirt (American Apparel).

3.1

I haven't been too blown away by the collections shown thus far. I was a little disappointed by the lack-lustre Luella collection, maybe I just expected too much because she's been pretty awesome for the past few seasons? Anyway, one collection that I really enjoyed, and would love to own lots of clothes from, was 3.1 Phillip Lim. Lim has produced some nice stuff before that I've admired, but this collection in particular really appealed to me. There were lots of nice surface details, a good dark colour palette, some gorgeous shoes, lots of fur, and a really cool, subtle 60's vibe throughout. Not normally a decade I look to for inspiration, but I ended up really wanting to recreate some of the looks shown. Yesterday I wore an outfit inspired by this collection...I'll put the photos up later on today.   

Love the grey cardigan

Intricate braiding detail on the cream garment, bottom left. Me likey. 

Just look at these boots!

1. they lace up

2. they are black patent leather

3. there is lace

4. they look mega high

5. they (should) belong to me

Love the look of the collarless blouse...and what looks like chain detailing down the placket.

My wardrobe is lacking a fur skirt; must correct this ASAP.

Everyone needs a brocade suit!

all images from style.com