Designer Shoes

Archive for November, 2009

As celebrity status becomes easier to attain than a bus pass, more and more designers seem less interested in making good shoes and more interested in getting free entry to the biggest fashion events on the planet. What’s more, the link between comfortable shoes and fashionable shoes seems more stretched than ever and, as Victoria Beckham found out recently, the results can be catastrophic!

However, luckily for those of us who don’t particularly enjoy suffering to look good, there are still designers who have their feet on the ground. In 2005, former ballroom dancer and engineer Anyi Lu combined her knowledge and eye for style to create shoes for “confident and independent ladies of discrete luxury”. Unlike many fashion shoe designers, Lu’s focus isn’t on taking style to the limits at the expense of comfort; her shoes have comfortable rounded toes and her range included flat and pumps, as well as “sensible heels”.

Having said that, Lu is a creative mind and seizes to the opportunity to “express [her]self anew” with every season that passes. Her line of designer shoes has been successful in America so far, so hopefully we’ll be seeing more of Anyi before long!

After the revelation that David Beckham has asthma, I thought the Beckhams had had their fair share of ill health recently. However, in a somewhat ironic turn of events, Victoria Beckham – whose new venture into the world of designer shoes we reported not long ago – has been told she needs to have an operation on her feet, to repair the damage that years of wearing stiletto heels has caused. In true die-hard Beckham fashion, however, Victoria is attempting to avoid the surgery to remove her bunions by doing daily exercise and bathing her feet in ice! Goodness knows whether this will help, but 10 points for trying!

As sorry as I am tempted to feel for Mrs. Beckham, I think perhaps we should consider the lifestyle she leads. According to spies (with not much going on in their lives), Vicky B has close to 1000 pairs of Louboutin’s in her wardrobe; with evidence like this against her, I wonder if this isn’t karma’s way of delivering some kind of poetic justice. I think most of us would happily have an operation on our feet if it allowed us the kind of life Victoria Beckham has led!

With shoes like this, is anybody really surprised to hear she has ruined her feet? Anyone care for my shares in Victoria’s shoes company?

Jimmy Choo shoes normally cost hundreds of pounds, but the company is set to soon release a brand new range of designer shoes for the less-hyper-wealthy consumer. The shoes will go on sale in 19 H&M stores across the UK and will cost a more reasonable £69.99 for sandals and up to £179.99 for leather boots. I know what you’re thinking and you’re right; it’s still not cheap, but it’s Jimmy Choo – what did you expect?

President and founder of Jimmy Choo, Tamara Mellon, said she “wanted to create pieces that would reach a cool and young customer with a fashionable and independent sense of spirit.” With Christmas just around the corner, the timing might just be perfect, as people get be certain to make an impact on a loved one this Christmas day when they receive some Jimmy Choo shoes! That’s not all the Choo that H&M will be selling either; the range includes clothes, handbags and men’s shoes too. According to Mellon, “H&M is full of fun, one-off items with an accessible and glamorous identity made with stylish materials, emphasised with colour and embellishment”.

Sounds great! I’ll be there on Friday when the doors open!

Without a shadow of a doubt, Doc Martens are back. Just down the road from my house in Shoreditch, you can find a veritable slaughterhouse of yellow plastic, filled with footwear stamped with the infamous name – they’re being worn everywhere and by everyone!

However, as far as trends in designer shoes go, I’m not sure I approve of this new fashion. You see, Doc Martens have always been a sign of rebellion…and I’m not sure this has a place in the world of designer shoes. However, unlike most fashion writers, I’m uncertain about this whole situation because I love rebellion! I absolutely hate seeing the spirit of Doc Martens compromised by spineless indie-kids, who wouldn’t know anarchy if it took their girlfriend on a date to their own overpriced vegan restaurant!

So my feelings are mixed; I’m pleased Doc Martens are back, but I’m disappointed that the market they now appeal to comprises of everything the original market despised. Any thoughts?

The new Nike Women’s LunarGlide shoe marks a breakthrough in running ‘technology’. Apparently, when women walk, they pronate their foot more than men do (their foot rolls inwards slightly more). By including extra foam under the heel in the women’s model, as well as an archbridge to support the midsole; Nike have cleverly designed their shoe to cater for the differences between way that men and women run.

What may be even more important than these layers of foam and support, however, is what these shoes do for another key difference between men and women – confidence. What these shoes also offer women is inspiration and motivation to run; they are exceptionally light, extremely comfortable and, most importantly, they look great! Sure, designer shoes are meant to look great, but it’s not often you entirely at ease in your running shoes, is it? In fact, the black versions look smart enough that you could wear them to work!

So, if you’re looking for something to inspire you to keep in shape around Christmas time – consider investing in some of these! Alternatively, they’d make a great Christmas present to help a friend of family member lose that New Year flab-feeling.