Shoeflyer | Shoes, Trends & Reviews

A colleague recently pointed me to a New York Times blog post about Italian designer shoes. The shoes, from a third-generation company in Montegranaro, retail starting at $1,000 and up — way up, actually. In an economy that’s still working to get back on its feet, it was a little hard for me to understand how anyone could justify spending so much on a pair of shoes (heck, I would question the decision to spend that much money on shoes in a good economy, too). Thankfully, here at Shoefly, we have the same amount of taste and style for a much more affordable price. In fact, Shoefly.com is having a 30% off sale, so the prices are even better than before! If you’re in the market for a pair of quality designer shoes with a whole lot of class, look no further.

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Welcome to the second installment of Shoeflyer’s exploration of fall shoe trends.  Yesterday, we welcomed back booties. Today, we’re glitzin’ it up with ornaments.  I, for one, couldn’t be happier that glam rock seems to have invaded the shoe world.  This is another trend that will stretch past this summer.  Sequins, feathers, bows, and ruffles are here to stay, at least for one more season.  To get in on the glam, look for luxurious, Moulin Rouge-esque materials and eye-popping heels.

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I read a blog post this morning from the New York Times. The author briefly discussed her inability to part with a pair of old running shoes she’d worn in high school. The post also mentioned a woman who, despite her husband’s vocal opposition, has managed to hold on to at least 30 pairs of old running shoes she’s used throughout her life. Apparently, the woman has a special bond with each pair. Granted, I personally don’t know much about running shoes (seeing as my experience with the so-called sport is limited to running out of the rain or down store aisles during early morning door-buster sales), but I certainly know a thing or two about designer shoes. And while it’s a stretch for me to understand why anyone would bond with a pair of mud-stained, sweaty-smelling running shoes, I can certainly connect with the fondness one has for a pair of seriously-cute, wonderfully-fashionable heels (like the Charlotte Ronsons pictured right). Who wouldn’t?

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Apparently, Mike Dirnt, the bass player for Green Day, is also a shoe designer. No, I’m not joking, and yes, it’s all right to laugh (I did). Though, I suppose it’s not that surprising given the fact that countless celebrities regularly try their hand at fashion and style — everyone from legendary athletes like Michael Jordan to cutting-edge pop stars like Kanye West and now, I guess we can add Mike Dirnt to the list. According to Shoes4Souls, an international charity that provides free shoes to people in need, Dirnt (with some from MacBeth Footwear) has created a shoe called “45 RPM” from which any royalties he receives as a result of shoe sales will go directly to the charity.

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Seeing the incredible exhibit of Theatre de la Mode fashions at the Maryhill Museum of Art has me thinking more and more about fashion as art.  Personally, I choose comfort if given the choice between killer fashion and killer pain, but I’m beginning to see why some women strap on incredibly fierce (and incredibly uncomfortable) shoes for a few hours now and then.  (Call me a dork if you will, but I don’t encourage it! Wearing poorly fitting shoes, especially for long stretches, definitely causes foot health problems.) Miniature shoes offer all of the art of fierce heels–without any of the pain. Today, I’m exploring the world of miniature shoes, both from the Theatre de la Mode exhibit and the many websites that offer collectible miniature shoes.

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A New York Times article titled “Haute Couture Faces Uncertain Times” summarizes the challenges the exclusive circle of Haute Couture designers face in these days of economic difficulty.  Apparently, for the lavishly rich, paying up to $30,000 for a masterpiece of a dress was more justifiable before the economy tanked. Now, designers like Christian Lacroix are filing for bankruptcy.  Some designers have braved these rough economic seas by scaling back at Fashion Weeks, offering more mid-priced merchandise, and hosting Haute Couture shows in house.  Still, this isn’t the first time that the fashion world has been forced to get creative in the face of economic instability.  In fact, compared with the designers in Paris following WWII, today’s designers seem downright spoiled.  A recent visit to an exhibit called Theatre de la Mode at the Maryhill Museum of Art in Maryhill, WA, increased my appreciation for the creativity and determination of post-war European designers.

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Ever wonder who gets to choose which shoes appear on store shelves?   Those lucky individuals are called shoe buyers, and a whole flock of ‘em will descend on Las Vegas for the World Shoes Accessories show from July 29th through August 2nd.  How I wish I could be there! Here’s my daydream itinerary for a fabulous WSA weekend:

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Although unusual and outlandish shoes have always been a sign of wealth, the recession has retailers scrambling to offer more affordable footwear options. As Stephanie Rosenbloom recently reported in her New York Times News service article, “Retailers switch how they do business,”* high-end stores like Neiman Marcus and Saks are offering more mid-priced merchandise. Furthermore, in a shocking turn away from his typical mortgage-payment prices, Jimmy Choo recently announced that a pair of his shoes will be available for as little as $55 in H&M stores in November. (I never thought I would write “retail” and “Jimmy Choo” in the same sentence.)

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On these long summer days, it’s imperative to have versatile footwear.  After all, you never know when a Tweet or Facebook status update will clue you into a super-hip after-hours event.  Rather than carry around your clubbing shoes, why not marry work and play in a single pair of kicks?  I have a few tips for finding the perfect pair of shoes to transverse your roles as laborer and party animal: (more…)

The current craze for big, brash shoes is making waves in the fashion world.  With the advent of five-or six-inch heels decorated with everything from pearls to pistols, the shoe has come back into its proper role as the “it” accessory.  The demand for deliciously outlandish shoes is even overpowering the economic crisis, as shoe sales, especially for gladiator shoes, are strong.  Still, this trend only represents the new wave of a larger ocean of towering, extravagant shoes.   Shoe history is merely repeating itself; impossibly tall, unusual shoes have enchanted divas for centuries. (more…)