All posts filed under: Shoes

i want: Calligraffiti by Niels Shoe Meulman x United Nude

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United Nude has another fun collaboration for sale. This time they teamed up with graffiti artist Niels Shoe Meulman. His specialty is Calligraffiti which combines calligraphy and graffiti. You can see some of Shoe’s (he goes by that name) work on his website. While graffiti is his main discipline he also produces sketches, photography and drawings. I love the neon green version of the Calligraffiti shoe but it comes in black and off-white for those that aren’t as adventurous. The laser cut leather upper spells out “Unruly Shoe” which is one of those charming details that I fawn all over. The heel is 5.1 inches and that includes the platform is 0.8 inch platform. You can buy the Calligraffiti Shoe on UnitedNude.com. They are $550.00 which is less than the press release quote of $750. images: unitednude.com

Monika Chiang Zinc D'Orsay Stiletto Metal Heel Mirrored Pointed Toe Pump

i want: Monika Chiang D’Orsay Stilettos

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I love these D’Orsay stilettos by Monika Chiang that are available at Intermix. I’ve recently come to realize the value of the simple stiletto as a complement to an outfit. Crazy fun shoes are important and necessary but I’d always find myself in a situation where the outfit is perfect and my shoe collection just doesn’t fit. Zinc D’Orsay in cobalt and Metal Heel Mirrored Pointed Toe Pump are available online at the Toronto Intermix store. images: intermixonline.com

Cougar Pillow Boot Quilty Pleasures

Cougar Pillow Boot Collection Fall Winter 2012

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Cougar Boots had a mobile installation going around the city showing off the new Pillow Boot collection for the season. I stopped by the King and Brant intersection where they had set up shop one November day during lunch. The installation was there to show off the new Cougar Pillow boot styles to the public. Media was also invited to check out the new styles. I was really impressed with the new styles added to the Cougar Pillow Boot line. The reworked original Pillow Boot is back in different colourways like black, sienna, rust and tan. New styles are a bit more feminine with wedge heels and different textures. I love the tall Pillow Boot called Quilty Pleasures. They come in black and chestnut. They are calf Leather with quilted nylon. These were the boot I received from the collection courtesy of Cougar. I wore them yesterday because it was the first below -10 degrees day. I seriously forgot how cold it could be as we’ve been spoiled with mild winters for the last couple …

I want – I got Holiday Gift Guide – Part 2

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Yup, this gift guide madness is continuing. I’ve got three more days of I want – I got Gift Guides. You might want to take a look at Part 1 of the I want – I got Gift Guide series. This is the part two of four in the I want – I got Gift Guide series. I have so many favourite things I wanted to include. This gift guide is very much I want – I got. You’ll see things I want, things I got and other obsessions. Some things are affordable and some aren’t but I’ve tried to mix it up. The list covers fashion, beauty, electronics, art, toys and booze. Basically, all the items on the gift guide are I want – I got approved. So, join me the second part of this exploration of things I would love to see under my tree at Christmas. Clover Canyon Printed crepe de chine tunic dress ($238) – Net-a-Porter L designed by Linda Lundstrom Indigo dyed red fox Shawl Collar ($395) – designedbylindalundstrom.com RIMOWA …

I want – I got Holiday Gift Guide – Part 1

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So, this year I lost my mind and I decided to create a holiday gift guide. I’m usually anti-gift guides because I’m not much of a Christmas person and gift guides are a shit ton of work. I don’t know what made me change my mind this year but here we are. People have told me this is a good idea, so I hope you find it helpful or amusing. This is the part one of four in the I want – I got Gift Guide series. I have so many favourite things I wanted to include. This gift guide is very much I want – I got. You’ll see things I want, things I got and other obsessions.  Some things are affordable and some aren’t but I’ve tried to mix it up. The list covers fashion, beauty, electronics, art, toys and booze. Basically, all the items on the gift guide are I want – I got approved. So, join me on this exploration of things I would love to see under my tree at Christmas. …

I’m Still Obsessed with the Yves Saint Laurent Tribute Sandals

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Yves Saint Laurent is now Saint Laurent Paris and the new website doesn’t have a Tribute shoe anywhere. There are rumour going around that the Tribute Sandal is being discontinued but according to WWD the Tribute line is being reworked and upgraded. I’m still obsessed with them and I hope they are “reworked” too much. With this upcoming design change the urgency to add a pair to my shoe collection has increased. In 2008 the YSL Tribute Sandals started to become the go to shoe for Editors and Celebrities. In my search for information regarding the Tribute’s entry to the market I came across a lot of celebrity references. Apparently, Julliane Moore was the first celebrity to start wearing them There are so many colour combinations and leather choices that I’m not particularly picky about which ones I do buy in the end. I’m not a hot pink person but these are my favourite of the bunch. The purple Tributes are second. images: lyst.com

geekiviews: Shoe Innovations: A Visual Celebration of 60 Styles

geekiviews: Shoe Innovations: A Visual Celebration of 60 Styles

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Firefly Books contacted me about a new fashion book called Shoe Innovations: A Visual Celebration of 60 Styles: by Caroline Cox. They also provided me with a copy for this review. Shoe Innovations is visual guide to the 60 most iconic shoe designs from the 20th and 21th centuries. Caroline Cox adds important social, historical and cultural context to the shoes in addition to the stunning photography and sketches. This is not just a picture book, Caroline provides meaty descriptions of each design. It’s a perfect reference to modern shoe design that can be read from cover to cover or picked up for reference. There are numerous photos of the shoes from the historical to modern. Shoe Innovations was published in August 2012 so it’s pretty current. I am very impressed with this book. It’s a great reference and guide that provides historical, designer, celebrity and cultural background to each style. It’s also a perfect size for a reference book. You can view some sample pages on the Firefly Books website. It can fit into …

i want: Arien by Dr Martens

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I really want a pair of Church’s shoes but I came across these Dr Martens that I could equally love. The Arien style is part of the Creeper collection with a pointed toe and low profile Airwair sole. They are sturdy looking too and would make a nice seasonal substitute for my Rokin derby shoes which can’t handle the winter. The pink Arien’s are pretty sweet too and add a fun, quirky twist to the shoe. They are $149 available online or at the Queen Street store. images: drmartenscanada.ca

i want: Strappy Booties by B Brian Atwood

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I haven’t had a drool worthy shoe moment for a long time, then I saw these crazy, beautiful booties on the Intermix website.  These exclusive to Intermix booties are from B Brian Atwood which is Brian Atwood’s lower priced shoe line. I love the cognac colour of these shoes but I know the 5″ stiletto heel is just a bit too high for me and the platform is only a quarter inch. I know my limits and I’ll be satisfied with just staring. These are available exclusively at IntermixOnline.com. I’m not sure if they will be available at the Toronto location. images: intermixonline.com

geekiviews: Love Beach Flip Flops

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Flip flops are utility shoe for me. They have their place in my public life and that’s at beach or in a gym shower. Flat leather sandals are my preferred choice for summer footwear. I have no rugs, hardwood floors and two cats at my place so I wear flip-flops instead of wearing the cute knit slippers my cousin made me for Christmas. The knit skippers would just be a dust and hair magnet. The random swag flip-flops I’ve collected over the years were all not very comfortable. I received an email about reviewing flip-flops that had some support features and I said why not. Bonus is that they are Canadian. Love Beach is a Ottawa based company. They are striving to make the perfect flip-flop that can be dressed up or down. The fashion aspect of the shoes didn’t really interest me but the claims of “Gentle arch support, Gel cushion heels for optimal wear-ability, Triple layer EVA soles for softness and durability, Nice “huggy” fit – no floppiness, Supple TPU uppers help minimize …

Louie Gong x Manitobah Mukluks Gatherer Boot

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I have to admit I’m a bit surprised that I’m writing about Manitobah Mukluks. I’m not a fan of Mukluks and I usually cringe whenever I see people wearing them around the city. They are very popular and the Manitobah Mukluks company is as close to the genuine article as you are going to get. I’m a huge fan of Louie Gong though and he’s partnered with Manitobah Mukluks to create a boot even I can love. Louie Gong x Manitobah Mukluks Gatherer Boot is described by Louie: The eagle is a cross-cultural symbol of strength, leadership, and long-term vision. By portraying the eagle on a women’s mukluck with a diving posture, oversized claws, and open mouth, I offer symbolic acknowledgment of strong women of all backgrounds. When wearing this eagle design, each step represents bold movement towards your life goals and leading our families into the next generation. The grey Louie Gong x Manitobah Mukluks Gatherer Boot are pretty damn cool. The boots are available for Pre-order on manitobah.ca for $299 with delivery happening …

Schutz Fall Winter 2012 – 2013 Preview

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Schutz is a Brazilian shoe company I’ve recently discovered. I was eyeing a pair of platform wedge sandals from Schutz from eLuxe which I ended up turning into an i got. The shoe is super light and I’m really looking forward to taking them for a spin. Schutz’s creative director is luxury shoemaker Alexandre Birman. Shoemaking is in the blood and 39 years ago his father founded the Arezzo Group. The company is made up of three brands: Arezzo (lower-priced collection), Schutz(the contemporary collection) and Alexandre Birman (luxury collection). Alexandre started designing Schutz 15 years ago and it’s finally making it was to North American markets. The shoes are all made in Brazil. I attended the Schutz Fall Winter 2012 – 2013 preview and got a look at the extensive collection. See the rest of my photo in the slideshow

i want: Casey Wedge by Schutz

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My summer staple shoe is a platform wedge. It’s my favourite style of platform and probably my favourite style of shoe. Platforms give me the extra height I’ve always wanted and the wedge is an easy shoe to wear. I love the little pops of colour in the Casey Wedge by Schutz. Available online at eLuxe (formely Dealuxe) image: eluxe.com

Holt Renfrew Hosts Bruno Frisoni and Roger Vivier

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The celebration for the launch of the Roger Vivier: Process to Perfection exhibit at The Bata Shoe Museum brought Bruno Frisoni, Creative Director of Roger Vivier to Toronto. The next day he was entertaining socialites and a few media types at Holt Renfrew for a private lunchtime event. There were many Roger Vivier fans in the audience who were loving the women’s Fall Winter 2012 – 2013 handbag and shoe collection. I’ve never seen so many buckles on shoes in my life. Bruno Frisoni is so adorable in this video. I didn’t get a chance to talk to him and just gawked instead. See all of my photos from the Holt Renfrew Hosts Bruno Frisoni and Roger Vivier event

Ecco Fall Winter 2012 – 2013 Preview

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A few weeks ago I attended the Ecco Fall Winter 2012 preview at the Brill Communications head office. Ecco is one of those companies that responded to the changing face of the market. They noticed that customers are more style savvy and made efforts to target that market. I think they’ve done a great job in making Ecco a fashionable choice for many. The Ecco Fall Winter 2012 – 2013 collection has three overall themes. Active Vibration – Active Vibration illuminated the spaces where sport meets fashion. Clean and functional lines, in combination with sporty comfort and colour blocking, describe the shoes in this part of the runway. Shoes from this category are for an active lifestyle, focused on health and wellness. Aesthetic Being -There was much focus on esthetics and elegance and a softer approach to classic minimalism in this part of the collection. “Less is more” and classics featuring fashion trends from several decades. Slow fashion, old school and even masculine styling were key words describing a number of the autumn/winter ECCO styles. …

i want: Mattijs x United Nude Fan

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The Mattijs X United Nude Fan shoe generates a jaw dropping response. I learned about these beauties after my tweets about my United Nude dream shoe purchase. Twitter friend, @TheDIYCouturier aka Rosalind wrote to tell me she just ordered a pair of United Nude because I inspired her to shop (hee hee, not the first time I’ve heard that). That’s right friends, she pre-ordered these beauties and put my Abstract Rome’s to shame. The Mattijs x United Nude Fan shoes are all about glamour. Designed in collaboration with Dutch fashion designer Mattijs van Bergen for his Catwalk show at London’s fashion week. No surprise the shoes are designed with a concept of pleats as Mattijs is considered to be the Dutch King of pleats. Only 120 Pairs total Limited edition were made. Mattijs van Bergen studied at Central Saint Martins in London before starting his brand in the Netherlands. “One of the most promising young designers” (British Vogue), “Crown prince of Dutch Fashion”, “King of Pleats”(Dutch Elle). Rosalind, you are 1 of 120 lucky women.  …

Roger Vivier: Process to Perfection – May 9, 2012 – April 7, 2013

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Roger Vivier: Process to Perfection – May 9, 2012 – April 7, 2013 at The Bata Museum To wear dreams on one’s feet is to begin to give a reality to one’s dreams. -Roger Vivier Roger Vivier: Process to Perfection focuses on the designer who was renowned for the bejewelled and elegantly sculptural shoes that he created throughout his life. Many of his innovations, such as the needle, choc and comma heels are as important in fashion today as when he first introduced them. Vivier’s career was established in the 1950s when he became the shoe designer for Christian Dior. During his time with Dior his shoes were the epitome of mid-century glamour and Vivier’s early training in scuplture at École des Beaux Arts is evident in the sculptural heels and toes he designed for Dior. After Dior’s death, Vivier continued to produce elegant footwear for the House of Dior but in 1963 he set out on his own. Among his many successes include the pilgrim buckle shoe popularized by Catherine Deneuve, which sold in …

i got: Abstract Rome Hi by United Nude

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Regular readers of I want – I got know I have an obsession with United Nude shoes. They will also know that I lament the state of United Nude retailers in the city. The stores that carry/carried them stocked the worst styles of the collection and not the architectural beauties that United Nude is known for. Who really wants to buy these after all. I figured the only way I was going to get a great pair of United Nude shoes would be at the flagship store on my next trip to New York City. Well, my prayers were answered at the media preview of Queen Street pop up shop, Sauvage. Sauvage is behind Whitecrow in the Burroughes Building.  It’s got some really great shoes and handbags.  I anticipate that this will be my go to summer sandal. images: unitednude.com, me  

ALDO Rise Spring Summer 2012 Available March 8, 2012

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I posted about my favourite shoes ALDO Rise Spring Summer 2012 collection. The final production list is out for Aldo Rise and it includes pricing. Not all the shoes from the designer collaborations weren’t produced but a lot of my top picks where. Prices range from $155 – $175.  Canada, aldoshoes.com and the rest of the world receives the shoes on March 8, 2012. image: aldorise.com

i want: Iris Van Herpen x United Nude Spring Summer 2012 Haute Couture Shoes

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Iris Van Herpen and United Nude teamed up to create the most intense footware for her Haute Couture Spring Summer 2012 show. If I was a collector of expensive, elaborate shoes these would be at the top of my wishlist. I can only look with my shoe budget. Models stepped out in “Fang” shoes with ten sharp teeth to each foot – the product of van Herpen’s fifth successful collaboration with United Nude. The shape of the wedge is so complex that each one consists of fiberglass and carbon fiber, made in a slow molding process If you are looking for more information or perhaps you`d like to order these shoes email to customerservice@unitednude.com images: unitednude.com

I want – I got’s BeachMint Top Picks

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So, the BeachMint team are expanding internationally and now JewelMint, StyleMint and ShoeMint are shipping to Canada. Rock-it Promo sent me a sneak peak package from BeachMint consisting of the Victorian Charmer Necklace and the Pauline Wedge in Wine. The jewellery is the quality you would expect for $30.  I have stayed away from Steve Madden shoes since the early 90s but I have to admit I like the Pauline Wedge.  I’m a bit obsessed with e-commerce retailers and packaging.  The packaging for ShoeMint and JewelMint are pretty nice with jewellery box being my favourite. I’ve been browsing the JewelMint, ShoeMint and StyleMint sites more seriously since they started shipping to Canada. Here are my top picks. Shipping costs to Canada are from $9.99 to $19.99. images: jewelmint.com, shoemint.com, stylemint.com