Here we have actress Blake Lively on the set of Gossip Girl in a pair of Raphael Young’s blue leopard sparkling shoes from his Spring/Summer 2010 collection and a flowing black and white Jenny Packham gown.  The scene was from “The Undergraduate.”  Young is a growing favorite among Hollywood’s most stylish, and apparently also among some of the Upper East Side’s most fashionable residents. – XOXO

Shoe designer Brian Atwood has teamed up with Jones Apparel Group to bring shoes at a friendlier budget.  The line is called B Brian Atwood and will run between $200 and $500, with boots starting at $600.  Here we have the Brian Atwood Helix Suede Ankle Boots from his namesake collection, it retails for about $850.  If the diffusion line can give us footwear like these raisin colored confections, then this venture will turn out to be one sweet deal.

We already know that turquoise has been declared the color of 2010 by Pantone, but throughout the year I’ve found several inquiries on this site regarding the color shoes one would wear with turquoise.  Here are just a few color suggestions.  First we list a nude pair of Christian Louboutin that would go perfectly with your turquoise dress this season.  They are maryjane peep-toes with just the right amount of femininity.  Then we have the Christian Louboutin Alligator platform pump, it’s a beautiful blue that provides a wonderful contrast.  The bluish green of turquoise combined with the navy is extremely polished.  Pura Lopez’ peep-toe pump in taupe is another great neutral choice in a pretty platform.  Peep-toes are super sexy for summer and they show off those fabulous pedicures.  I’m also partial to metallics shoes with this trend because they’re also a great neutral and can be worn year-round.  Black is too heavy for the spring and summer seasons, but it would strike the right balance during the fall and winter months.

Spring leads us into summer and it becomes a blur of great sunny weather from there on.  It’s also a time when we must be vigilant about freshening-up our pedicures to showcase those fabulous shoes.  The metallic trend is one of the hottest this season; it’s sleek, sexy and modern.  Those are great adjectives to describe confection for your feet.  You can find them in silver, gold or pewter.  I’m loving the peek-a-boo factor in the laser cut-out styles.  Here are a few that are sure to turn the heads of the shoe obsessed.  Go ahead, try them, your feet will thank you.

Versace Spring 2010

Jil Sander Spring 2010 

Versace Spring 2010                                                         

The fashion world woke up to the news that Jimmy Choo had joined forces with Ugg.  To some, the news shocked the conscience.  Is this a good idea?  Thoughts like, ‘don’t Ugg with Choo’ did come to mind.  Jimmy Choo crafts perfectly delicate shoe confections.  Why would Tamara Mellon team up with Ugg who makes not so delicate confections.  Then visions of a comfortable pair of stilettos started dancing in my head.  We know that Uggs are undeniably comfortable, this comes not from personal knowledge, but word on the street.  Further, any woman who wears high heels has had her feet file a complaint or two over said shoes.  Could it be possible that Jimmy Choo could lend its beautiful craftmanship to Ugg to create shoes we’ll actually covet?  We will find out in October when the collection is launched.  The line will range from $595 to $795, apparently beauty and comfort does not come cheap.

“I think high heels empower women,” says Christian Louboutin.  The famed shoe designer believes women are obsessed with shoes, and that’s why heels are getting higher and higher; of course he wouldn’t have it any other way.  Mr. Louboutin appears to have a good grasp on his clientele and their desires, and this skill likely started early while growing up in a house full of women.  He grew up with three sisters and his mother.  When speaking of his beginning, he states, “I wanted to design shoes for showgirls because, at the end of the day, a showgirl is like a bird of paradise.”  That would probably involve making allowances for the grace and movement of a woman.  Thankfully he does not buy into the belief that you have to suffer to be beautiful, comfort is actually a priority with Louboutin.  Take a few minutes to watch this video, it will give you insight into the man and the designer.

Burberry wants to do for shoes and bags what it’s done for the trench.  That is a good thing for the company’s bottom-line as well as its customers in terms of variety.  During these challenging financial times, leather goods have been the savior of many fashion houses.  “There is a huge momentum in this sector (of leather goods),” says Bailey.  Their new emphasis is especially important now that Burberry has reported a profit loss of over $90 million dollars during the first half of the year.  Accessories currently make up a third of the company’s revenues; shoes, bags and belts will be taking on a much larger role.  The shift is among other changes that were recently announced, namely the promotion of Christopher Bailey from creative director to chief creative officer.  It looks like Burberry is making all the right moves to maintain the 153 year old house’s relevance in the 21st century. 

Burberry to expand in shoes and handbags [Reuters]

Burberry Profits Slide 24 Percent [WWD]

The shoes for spring 2010 are definitely not your mother’s shoes.  Some are like sculptures you would find in a museum, while others are as delicate as the shoes worn by a ballerina.  The one thing they have in common is that they are incredibly sexy.  They are works of art crafted by some of the best artisans in the world, and they come in various inches.  Some of them are as high as eight inches, talk about elevation.  When a woman walks into a room with these shoes, she is making a statement.  I can’t help but feel that she is saying that she’s in charge.  Who would dare to challenge her?  It may be a challenge to walk in them, but their beauty is undeniable.  Besides, a little balancing act has never harmed anyone, especially when you get to prance around in these stunners.  If you want to see more, take a look here at all the other shoes you will be coveting for spring.

100 Favorite Shoes for Spring 2010 [Coutorture]

Kenneth Cole has done it again with his fall campaign video.  He is infamous for his controversial ads, but this time it is just thoughtful and clever.  Take a look at the video and have a smile.  Please pay attention because a bit of reading is involved, but that’s where the fun comes in.  My favorite lines are :

- ”The times are changing, ([a]nd so are we).”

- “Throw caution to the wind.”

- “Don’t let your baggage hold you back.”

- “Expose yourself to something new.”

- “Find your sole mate.”

When you think about it, those are words we can all live by.  Besides who isn’t looking for their sole/soul mate?  By the way, I’m loving the accessories and the woman’s black coat featured in the video.  My interest has been piqued and I look forward to viewing the collection.

Take a look at this video of everyday women daring to walk in the shoes from the runways of fall 2009.  It leaves you with an appreciation of the ‘balancing’ act the models must do for each show during fashion week in front of the cameras and a packed house.  These shoes definitely pose a challenge, and that’s saying the least.  They range from Manolo Blahnik, Christian Dior, Nina Ricci, John Galliano, Rodarte, and Herve Leger.  Of course many of these shoes are for the theatrical effect on the runways, and will never hit the stores for the consumer, or is that wishful thinking?  Either way, it was well worth seeing these contraptions, I mean shoes up close.  I’m just happy that no one was injured while filming this re-enactment.