All this week at Shoeflyer, we’ll be reviewing and predicting shoe trends for this fall. Why so early? Partially because we like to be proactive. Also because, let’s face it, the stores are all going autumnal, too. (They’ll probably break out the Christmas stuff any day now…) And finally, I’m writing about fall shoes because the dog days of summer have me yearning for a crisp, refreshing fall. Today’s Fall Fad: Booties.
Yes, it’s an audacious title, but it’s true. Shoes are incredibly powerful, especially these days. Sexy stilettos convey cat-like confidence (and given today’s towering designs, you’d better be as nimble as a feline). Luxuriously shiny loafers immediately mark a man of power. Where does your first impression begin and end? At the feet, if you’re like me. Given the power of shoes, it’s no surprise that people are searching for new ways to wear wield them. In his last show, designer Eric Tibush turned the fashion world on its head by sending his willowy models out on the catwalk with heels as hair accessories. No, seriously. He somehow strapped stilettos onto those poor girls heads. Here’s the strange thing: the models made it look totally fierce.
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.
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:
The quandary is inevitable. You’re attending (or in!) a wedding on the beach — sometime, somewhere, somehow – and a reception with dancing in a ballroom is scheduled to follow. Now, of course, you realize the dilemma. Your pair of Joy Chen pumps that perfectly compliment your stunning black cocktail dress are not exactly beach-friendly. At the same time, the fabulous flip-flops you’d normally wear in the sand aren’t exactly going to cut it on the dance floor. Great. What now?!
Yes, I know we’re only halfway through summer, but talk of what’s going to be hot next season has already begun. The Boston Globe recently interviewed fashion director Julie Gilhart on what she anticipates to be “the shoe” of the fall season. Her answer? Keep reading…
Over the last three days, Shoeflyer has featured Gentle Souls shoes. Featuring such a comfort-oriented shoe maker has 
brought to mind the importance of finding wearable shoes. Sure, I’ll climb onto a pair of fierce heels for a couple of hours at the show, but I’ll probably sink into the tub and treat my feet at the end of the night. Most days, my shoes are certainly chic, but they’re also comfortable. My demand for comfort arose from a couple of years as a shoe saleswoman in Gottschalk’s during high school.
Fashion week has come and gone, and the critiques are up. To give an overview of the week, I’m summarizing the shoes from the top five shows, according to The Fashion Time Magazine. Today’s designer: Alexander Wang. Mr. Wang expressed the edgy side of the dark economic times in his designs, which included “bondage leggings” and variations on a universal theme given the economic meltdown: black. Until the economy turns around, black will continue to be chic. Add interesting textures, throw in a few sequins, and you have the Wang show. The designer chose mid-calf boots with buckles and laces to complete the cyber-punk theme.
Friday the 13th is a day long associated with strange happenings and bad luck. 
This is the worst day of the year for paraskavedekatriaphobics, who suffer from a fear of Friday (in Greek, paraskevi) the 13th (dekatreis). Why fear a superstition that’s only been on written record since the 1900s? Well, numerology provides one reason. Twelve is considered a complete number in numerology, since there are twelve months in the year, twelve signs of the zodiac, twelve apostles, twelve hours on clocks, twelve gods of Olympus, and so forth. Thirteen seems odd and out of place after such a complete number.
