FOOTWEAR
Clashing prints, maxis, cropped tops, John Lennon sunnies, wide brim hats, and cross-body bags in the sun can only mean one thing! Hello Festival Season! The festival that started it all was Woodstock of '69 but now you can find a music festival no matter what part of the world you reside in. Almost every leading retailer has a festival fashion segment on their homepages and high fashion designers such as Dsquared have created a collection inspired by festival fashion. It is time to channel your down-to-earth, inner hippie, and frolic around the grass fields to your favorite music.
It’s the absence of color that has taken the runway by storm this fashion season. The best footwear and handbag designers are using this crystal clear trend to project a mix of elegance and sophistication with stylish and innovative shapes and sizes. While slight hints of color are employed to make a shoe pop and handbags stand out, it is the lack of color that make these accessories a hit for spring. Not to mention, it offers a versatility that allows for easy pairings with almost anything in your closet.
Singer/songwriter Shontelle is branching out! The talented songstress is showcasing her design skills with her new CAT x SHONTELLE footwear collection, which debuted during New York Fashion Week. Joonbug had the opportunity to chat with the gal of many trades about the inspiration behind the collection, her plans for the future, and more.
What made you want to get into fashion? And more specifically, footwear?
I guess the default answer is because CAT Footwear makes just that. SHOES! And beautiful BOOTS! I actually wore CATs throughout most of my school life. Not only because they were perfect with my school uniforms but they lasted forever (I only replaced them when I outgrew a size) and they were waterproof. So of course my parents loved that! In Barbados, if the bottom of your school shoes didn’t flash yellow, you weren’t cool. So thanks to CAT I’ve always been a “cool kid." Always been an Earth Mover! My grandmother was also obsessed with shoes and apparently, according to my family, she passed that on to me. They feel as though this line is Ms. Delia, living through me...
How did you come up with the name for your collection?
The collection itself doesn't yet have a name because the project just started out as a one time collaboration. So for now it's called the CAT x SHONTELLE collection. Or simply CATs by Shontelle. But it felt so fun and so right that CAT Footwear decided to continue the collection for another season. Hopefully we can keep this going for a long time and eventually develop a full SHONTELLE line with its own established department and name. However, the names of the boots were all inspired by and derived from places in Barbados that were special or significant to my childhood. "Bridegtown" - The capital city of Barbados and also where I was born and first lived; "Bajan" - self explanitory; "Xtreme" - The name of my favorite night club where I most frequented. Unfortunately its now closed; "Sandy Lane" - My favorite Beach/Club Resort in Barbados.
With so many options out there it can be hard to pick just one thing to do in NYC. Luckily for you, we've narrowed it down to some awesome upcoming events and specials that you should not miss!
Gotham Burlesque is at it again...this time with special guest star Dirty Martini. September 1st at 10pm brings you the spiciest Labor Day Weekend around with New York's sexiest show. Headliner Angie Pontani is sure to bring the house down with her sultry moves, along with fellow dancers Peekaboo Point, Bettina May, Nasty Canasta, Medianoche, Pinkie Special, and Albert Cadabra. The show will be hosted by *Bob*, with special appearance by Dangrrr Doll. Head to The Triad for a night to remember. Ticket prices range from $35-$45 and can be purchased here.
Shoe lovers—especially vintage shoe lovers—will revel in this collection of twentieth century footwear. Over one hundred years of shoe design, explored decade by decade, are bound into Vintage Shoes. The most collectible and influential shoes from the past century are chronicled through stunning imagery and specially commissioned photography, curated by Caroline Cox. Vintage collectors benefit from the shopping, sourcing, and caring guides for vintage footwear. A glossary of the shoe designers from Salvatore Ferragamo to Vivienne Westwood will expand even the most dedicated shoe lover’s knowledge on the history of footwear. Most excitingly, Vintage Shoes features a forward by the purveyor of scarlet soles (who’s designs will soon be coveted vintage pieces in their own right)—Christian Louboutin.
Vintage Shoes by Caroline Cox; $29.99
After establishing a much sought-after ready-to-wear line, Rachel Roy, and seeing the success of her Rachel Rachel Roy diffusion line, the designer is ready to tackle the next fashion frontier: a footwear line.
“Here’s the thing about me and shoes....I really feel like it’s the one item that, no matter how much you make, it is worth saving your pennies for," offers Roy in a statement to WWD. Further, the designer adds, “I don’t want shoes unless they are strong and sexy. I don’t want them to be just strong or just sexy...my collection is just that - strong and sexy. It represents the woman I want to be.”
As a man the right pair of shoes can be hard to find. It seems like the line between garish high-end shoes and well-made, wearable footwear can be very thin. That is where Maine-based designer Quoddy comes in. Though it is by no means a new company, it has recently been gaining the recognition it rightfully deserves.
Started in 1909 by Harry Smith Shorey the company is named after the Passamaquoddy tribe that lived in the area and was known for their handmade moccasins and sturdy basket weaving skills. These days, the company is run out of Perry, Maine, an area marked by its harsh weather conditions and heavily wooded surroundings.
Those who have a fanciful addiction to footwear usually appreciate a little elaboration in their shoes. Someone who uses Louboutin, Blahnick, and Choo synonymously with exemplar, divine, and gallant, a boring black round-toe pump isn't going to cut it. The more extravagant and grandiose the better.
Any footwear fashionista is going to understand the importance of putting your best foot forward as a statement piece to your outfit. A leopard sling back, a patent stiletto, or snakeskin boot are all fabulous options. But when does footwear meet artistic masterpiece?
Footwear choice for designer Marc Jacobs on the runway for the Fall 2010 fashion show was surprisingly, kitten heels. A bit unusual considering most fashion shows are a feat of physical and anatomical defiance as designers put their models in stilettos towering well above five or six inches. Why the sudden change in heel height? Wall Street has a theory.
According to the Wall Street Journal, there is a belief that there is a "relationship between sinking heels and the stock market". Apparently WSJ theorizes that designers feel that Americans would better forage through economic uncertainty in kitten heels than stilettos and that heel height should reflect economic stability. Does anyone actually believe that that was going through Marc Jacobs' mind while creating his fall line? Profit margins and sales might be a better explanation.
Whatever the cause, enoy the break ladies. Your feet will thank you.
Never one to bore, Miu Miu brought excitement to the runway with this season’s shoes. The underlying silhouette of the shoes draws inspiration from the 40s, with classic elements such as the peep toe and ankle strap. However, they are anything but classic vintage due to bold color blocking and sculptural heels and platforms. The designs are completely wearable, but as always with the Miu Miu brand, they make a statement with their innovation.
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