Nineteen to-covet designers including Oscar de la Renta, Manolo Blahnik, Alberta Ferretti and Christian Louboutin are teaming up with Warner Brothers and Swarovski to reinvent Dorothy's ruby slippers to commemorate the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. This time, we're not in Kansas anymore. Based on some of the designer sketches we've seen, we're talking Swarovski-fied, ruby red protect-me-from-the-evil-witch stilettos. Basically what sweet little Anne Hathaway could have used in The Devil Wears Prada.
Each designer will craft a mere two pairs, and the shoes will make their debut September 4 during New York Fashion Week, posing in Saks Fifth Avenue's window before moving on to Miami's Art Basel and further appearances throughout 2009. The iconic slippers will then be auctioned off with proceeds going to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.
The fall line from John Lobb, bootmaker to British royalty since the 1860s and fashioner of what is arguably the world's finest men's footwear, isn't due to arrive in stores for another couple of weeks - but we have an exclusive preview for you. Lobb, founded in 1849, received its first Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales in 1863. Aside from sovereigns and heads of state, Lobbs have long been the favored footwear of fops including Cole Porter, Cecil Beaton, Hugh Grant and Daniel Day-Lewis.
Handmade from the finest quality full grain leathers, Lobb shoes "combine heritage, tradition and modernity" with distinction and elegance. The new ready-to-wear line features classic oxfords and monk straps, jodphur boots, riding boots (like the Hellesdon model in tan brown shire calf pictured here) and suede chukka boots, some available in a striking crimson red. Of course if money is no object, the company (which is now owned by Hermes) also offers bespoke services. See the gallery for more.
We at Luxist love Manolo and Jimmy and Stuart -- their shoes are to die for. And sometimes the pain from a beauty like this makes toes feel like dying too. Here's a solution: YogaToes. Basically YogaToes promises to give toes and feet a good stretch after they've been squashed in shoes all day and at the same time prevent icky and unattractive toe and bunion problems, something that's important at this time of year if feet are to be sandal-ready!
While I certainly wouldn't put this product in the luxury goods category, its seems like something every girl should have if she wants to keep wearing luxury shoes. But I do wonder if an inexpensive set of toes spacers, like used during a pedicure, would have a similar effect ... YogaToes come in small and medium, and in eight colors. $49.95; two pairs: $39.95 each; three pairs: $33 each.
La Tennis Bensimon, the iconic French sneaker that was a favorite of John F. Kennedy and super-cool musician Serge Gainsbourg, is finally arriving in the U.S. for fall. The classic tennis shoes, rendered in cotton canvas, leather and suede, have long been a favorite of stylish fellows who tracked them down in Europe and Japan. Designer Serge Bensimon, whose grandfather began the business by importing American Army surplus clothing following World War II, says that "For me, creation is a sensitive and eclectic dialogue between art, literature and travel." The men's collection, which will now be available at Bloomingdale's, is "classic and simple yet luxurious, reflecting the essence of Parisian style." Canvas Sneakers have been given the Men.Style.com seal of approval for summer. We're partial to the navy canvas version pictured above. See the gallery for more examples.
Our friends at Aisledash recently did a post on some of the world's most expensive shoes but they didn't mention the pair I actually got to see last week. At the Le Vian party in Las Vegas one of the displays included these $2 million shoes from Stuart Weitzman. The silver leather heels feature over 185 carats of tanzanite and 28 carats of diamonds. The front strap features a slim strap of diamonds but the heavy gemstones are designed to curve around the ankle with a 16 carat pear-shaped tanzanite drop surrounded by diamonds that dangles down over the top of the foot. The shoes were behind glass so I didn't get to examine them up close but the stones do seem to be mounted directly onto the leather rather than being immediately removable.
While researching something for Luxist, I came across Styledrops, a fashion site for men, women and children that sells upscale Italian designer goods. For women, select from shoes, handbags, clothing and accessories. Same for men, minus the handbags. Kids get shoes and clothing. The site boasts "the best price you have ever seen on the Internet!"
A sampling of brands: Prada, Gucci, Fendi, Tod's, Hogan, Dior, Fratelli Rossetti, Ferragamo, Cesare Paciotti, Alexander McQueen, John Galliano and Frankie Morello. Check here for the whole list for women, men and kids. Choose by type of item, designer or price.
I haven't purchased from the site so I can't vouch for service or quality, but the site itself is easy to navigate and has some very high-end items.
Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, and Christian Louboutin - these are just a few of the legendary design houses that are able to make a woman's feet the sexist part of the body. You may just want to add British shoe designer Nicholas Kirkwood to that list. Kirkwood's artistic ability to create sculptures of art has enabled him to work with the likes of Phillip Lim and Belstaff for their Spring 2008 Collection. And although he has collaborated with many, his own collection is nothing to shy away from. Kirkwood's collection combines a sense of fashion forward edginess with a sexy majestic quality. Featured here are his silver metallic lizard slingbacks accented with a mirrored butterfly wing detail, open toe, and 3 1/2" heels. Price: $545.
Gallery: Shoe Designer Extraordinaire: Nicholas Kirkwood
The name of a product is an important indicator in predicting it's success, take the cleverly named Gucci HysteriaPurse that lived up to its title quite nicely by causing shopping madness. I'm crazy about the new Extreme CutoutSandals by Christian Dior. However after staring at them for awhile I've realized I don't actually like them, per se, then it hit me, I 've been duped by some marketing gurus into thinking I like them based on their awesome name ( I'm a sucker for all things "extreme"). Oh well! These extreme-ly high (almost 5 inches) and equally sexy sandals kick off the summer shoe shopping season with a bang. Available in silver or black Nappa leather, they feature and open peep toe and trendy stud detailing. Available for $780 at Neimans!
Classic English shoe brand Church's was founded in 1873, but its roots date back to the late 1600s when a Northampton cobbler named Church first set up shop. The traditional shoemaker is known for its elegant footwear, which has been the choice of well-dressed British gentlemen for over 130 years. In 1999 Church's was acquired by the Prada group, and while some traditionalists bemoaned the end of an era, little of the company's core values have changed. Its high-end models, which have names like the Consul, the Diplomat, the Chetwynd and the Gunthorpe, are still handmade in Northampton and cost in the neighborhood of £300 pounds, or about $600.
Prada has certainly set about modernizing the brand however, which is known for durable style. The company recently redesigned Church's historic shop in London's Burlington Arcade, Britain's first shopping arcade, which was built by Lord George Cavendish in 1819 and houses some of the world's finest boutiques. The revamped shop incorporates some modern design elements while retaining the important historical fixtures. In addition to shoes, the store also stocks neckties, gentlemen's accessories and leathergoods. Part of Prada's plan to boost the brand's presence internationally, new Church's shops were also recently opened in Venice and Bologna.
Summer is fast upon us and you are going to need a new pair of casual shoes. For men the options keep getting more and more interesting. I love the look of the SeaVees, a shoe that takes the comfort of a sneaker and adds a bit of classic flair. The sneakers were inspired by California cool in the 1960s and each style is named after a month and year during that era. The model shown is the the 01/68 shoe. It has a perforated suede leather upper with pull-up leather accents and a contrasting toe bumper.The lining is calfskin. They sell for $165. Here's hoping they put out a line for women soon.
Gwyneth Paltrow has been named the new face of Italian luxury goods brand Tod's in the wake of a short film she made for them which just debuted at Cannes. The ad campaign, shot by Mario Testino in Capri aboard dashing Tod's CEO Diego Della Valle's yacht, portrays "the uber luxurious, outdoors-y life of a beautiful Italian aristocrat from the heady days of the jet-set era," Vogue UK reports.
"Italian style is very sexy, very womanly and what I love is that it seems to have so many different inspirations," Paltrow told the mag. She replaces Sienna Miller, who starred in Tod's ads last year. The Cannes short, which was directed by Dennis Hopper, a longtime friend of Della Valle's, portrayed a day in the life of Gwyneth with her favorite Tod's bag. We have long been fans of Tod's classic driving mocs, probably the most comfortable shoes in the world.
'Refusing to let functionality get in the way of exploration,' these shoe designs are more about artistic expression than they are about real life footwear -- they've even been displayed in museums. What do you think, a beautiful form of creative expression or ridiculous design that's trying too hard to be different?
Selectism recently highlighted the Spring/Summer '08 Collection of John Varvatos amped-up Converse Chuck Taylors and Purcell Vantages. Apparently styles are veering away just a bit from the popular laceless Chucks, although they're not gone, with a return to the more traditional laced Chucks. Varvatos also styled hi-tops and added the Purcells.
This collection features shoe-like sneakers (you won't be playing basketball in these) made from a mix of leather and canvas. Hi-tops are lined in a material that resembles mattress ticking, but with better colors.
Try as I might, I could not find these on the Varvatos site, but Zappos sells a few dozen of what might be last season's styles for between $95 - $145. Converse also featured about the same number of styles, although, again, not from this collection. These ranged from $110 - $145.
Looks like you need to find a Varvatos store to be so very this season.
Thanks, David, for this tip.
Gallery: Converse Chucks and Purcells With a Varvatos Touch
Generally, I'm no fan of a sandal on a man, but is it really fair to expect a man to encase his feet in leather prisons in the summer months while I run around in little wisps of footwear? And what about a dinner at a beachside restaurant on a warm summer night, a man should be able to enjoy a nice toe breeze off the water. Luxury men's retailer Gordon Rush has created the dress slide, a type of shoe normally reserved for women but made masculine with rich woven leather details. The slide comes in brown or black and sells for $265. It just might make you rethink mandals.
I can totally justify spending nearly $200 on flip flops when they are this cute! These are the must have thongs for summer, perfect for dressing up any breezy sundress or bikini cover up. They feature faux turquoise stones, varying in size and shape, set on shiny gold metallic straps. All that dazzle is offset by subdued brown suede, and a simple 1/4" wooden heel. Don't you hate how some flip flops hurt more than than high heels? Not these! I tried them on and they are super comfy! Available online, for $175.
The fall line from 
Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, and Christian Louboutin - these are just a few of the legendary design houses that are able to make a woman's feet the sexist part of the body. You may just want to add British shoe designer 
Gwyneth Paltrow has been named the new face of Italian luxury goods brand 
Selectism
