Fall Shoe Trends and Must Haves

We are currently in this awkward shoe purgatory where you feel bad buying full-priced Summer sandals (even though the temperatures are still 100!), but the new Fall/Winter 2011 trends aren't fully released in the stores yet. At this point, we have seen Fall runway shoes and the stores are getting early release styles.

Because I cannot wait for the reveal of the new styles of boots, pumps, and booties, I am going to give you a preview of my fall favorites as of right now! Though black is the most common color for boots, I am waiting for a new neutral to surface (taupe was the favorite last year) this fall that I love and still works with all the fall looks.

Here goes!
First up, Nicholas Kirkwood for Erdem













Next up, Charlotte Olympia Eve Ankle Bootie












Diane von Furstenberg Ombre Bootie
Miu Miu Crystal Pumps















Reed Krakoff- I must say this fall collection had a lot of great styles to offer. Kudos to an emerging designer who has come far since Coach.















Reed Krakoff Suede Lace Up Booties
Fiorentini and Baker Slashed Boots- I would wear these boots everyday!












Nicholas Kirkwood Booties- There is something so simple but sexy about these.













And Charlotte Olympia again- What can I say? I am a little hooked...


I will report back when the leaves begin to change and it is true Fall- unfortunately in this heat it feels like that day will never come!

Favorite Couture Pieces

As most people know who follow fashion, couture runway shows are some of the most exciting events of the year. You get to see the designers produce beautifully crafted pieces that we could only ever dream of seeing in person. The items are generally innovative in design and are meticulously crafted items that look even more exquisite up close than far away.

Just wanted to show you my favorite looks from the Fall Couture Runway 2011. Enjoy!


MAXIME SIMOENS

Um, exaggerated feather shoulder pads? Yes please!


JEAN PAUL GAULTIER

Have you ever seen a trench coat dress done so flawlessly? And have so much movement and grace?







GIAMBATTISTA VALLI

Such a beautiful structure finished off with soft, light, white feathers. Super feminine and chic.



ELIE SAAB

The most interesting thing about this piece to me is that it looks so weightless, when I'm sure with the beading the dress is very heavy. The dress also has a huge key hole shaped opening in the back that goes down to the low back. Such an amazing touch.



CHANEL

In the show there were tons of these disconnected sleeves. Whether they were made in a tweed like this one or in a silk overlay, the sleeves were edgy but elegant. A perfect detail.








ANNE VALERIE HASH

I am obsessed with this one piece smoking jacket!!!! SOOOO chic.



ALEXIS MABILLE

I would die for a dress like this with spikes all down the sides!

What makes a successful shoe designer?

What makes a successful shoe designer? In the past year or so I have been searching for the newest and hottest shoe line, and if it were not for ShopBop and Kelly Ripa on Regis and Kelly, I would not have discovered my two new favorite designers. If you look in fashion magazines, it is all the same designers- Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin, Gucci, Balenciaga, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Giuseppe Zanotti, Miu Miu, Alexander Wang, Alexander McQueen, Brian Atwood, Versace, Pierre Hardy, Nicholas Kirkwood... and the list goes on. And as beautiful as these designers' shoes are, I am tired of seeing the same shoes in which I can always pin point the designer before looking at the caption. Give me a sexy, inventive shoe that has me frantically scan the caption, waiting to be woo-ed by a new, exciting brand that begs me wanting more.

On that note, I have been also trying to figure out why certain brands are so popular over the rest. For instance, Louboutins have the red sole that is coveted across the world. Blahniks have dainty designs and the shoes feel weightless. Brian Atwoods are sky high stilettos.

Then, we have my most recent coveted designers signatures- Charlotte Olympia and Camilla Skovgaard. Charlotte Olympia has the heavy, but chic and sexy platform. Camilla Skovgaard has the saw bottom signature. Both designers have that simple, but edgy touch that to their pumps that makes them stand out. They make the outfit.


My question is when do we get to see the young, hip, emerging new brands in the top fashion magazines? Don't we want to see fashion to evolve and to see other designers thinking outside the box, regardless if they are a well known fashion empire? I know a few fashion magazines do articles on emerging designers, but during the editorial shoots, the shoes are back to our standard designers.

So, who is the next great emerging shoe designer that we all must know about and deserves that place in Harper's Baazar?