Silver Saturday Shoe: Past to Present

Sex and The City S 6 Episode 83 "A Woman's Right To Shoes"

Fashion's Past ALWAYS serves to inspire fashion's future. It makes me laugh when women roll their eyes at the thought of a "Vintage" piece and how "un-modern" it is.  I recently sourced these amazing Silver shoes for the Holiday 2012 offerings at Evolution Vintage. 

It reminded me immediately of the Modern Manolo Blahnik designed silver Sedaraby d'Orsay pumps I purchased in a slingback (c. 2007)  

and were made famous in another style in the Sex and The City Episode where Carrie's shoes were stolen 

 BUY "Carrie's Shoes" $755

Shoe Story: d'Orsay style pump is a shoe in which the vamp (or side) is cut away to reveal the arch of the foot. The front or back portion may be open or closed. They were named after Count Alfred d'Orsay; a 19th c "dandy", artist and friend of Lord Byron. This style of shoe was worn by men at the time and the cut out sides were introduced to accommodate a wider foot.

The buckle detail is the past-present connection. 

The shoes from the 1960's are rhinestone encrusted in a similar buckle shape.

The Manolo's are encrusted with crystals.

The materials and design have evolved and obviously the Manolo's are much higher end but the basic concepts have been there for the better part of 45 years.

Are you ready for your Silver Cinderella Moment?

Manolo's come in a range of sizes.  (34-42 EU or 3.5-4-11.5-12 US) Order a half size larger than what you wear normally as this style runs small.

Are you a Size 7.5 AA? Rock your holiday party in this amazing piece of fashion's past.

$40

and in Black from HouseOfWorwa $30 (Sz 6)

Sole Sister Sunday: André Perugia

The designer looking for the perfect size among his 100,000 lasts (1951)

Long before Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik there was André Perugia. He was the first "celebrity" shoe designer.  born in 1893 to a shoemaker father he wasted no time joining the family business by opening his shop at age 16. He began creating unique shapes and introducing a new heel that exceeded his fathers artistry and price points.

He used unusual materials for his custom creations and high society women flocked to the French Rivera were dazzled by his designs.  The world famous couturier Paul Poiret assured his success and hired Perugia at the end of WWI. 

He transformed Josephine Baker trademark turban into a quilted kidskin sandal (AKA "The Turban Sandal - 1928 which is also MY personal FAV!).

Jospehine Baker in costume Ziegfeld Follies 

Turban Sandal, 1928

"Homage To Picasso" 1950 

He continued to experiment with unconventional material, shapes and adornments throughout his career. His career spanned 50 years and associated himself and worked for (with) I. Miller,Charles Jourdan, Jacques Fath, Hubert de Givenchy. He also worked alongside Elsa Schiaparelli in the 1930's.   

Heel-less Shoe 1937

In his book "From Eve to Rita Hayworth" - A collection of psychological portraits he theorized that the way to discover and unmask a woman's personality was to study her feet.

1931

Patent 1956 Shoe Design

He was known for "talking to his shoes" as he created them and earned the badge of eccentric along with genius as many great artists do. He was a technical genius and a true innovator for the Sole Sister.

Corkscrew Heel 1952

The designer passed away in Cannes France in November of 1977.

1958 | André Perugia helps Jerry Stutz
(president/director of NY's Henry Bendel
and former I.Miller vice president)

IMAGE SOURCE: http://www.ipaddock.it

"The wealthiest woman in the world could not pay me to make her an ugly pair of shoes"

Source: Book: p. 46 Shoes - Linda O'Keeffe

Sole Sister Sunday: 4 Birds & Vintage Shoes

1970's Platform with Wooden heels - Sz 9/10

What was once old is always new again in Fashion if you wait long enough. I love Vintage clothing and accessories AND SHOES! For today's Sole Sister feature I turned to my friend, Christy Parent - Owner of 4 Birds Vintage.  She has the most AMAZING collection of Vintage shoe's in her shop (49 Pairs).

I chatted with Christy about her affinity for fashions past and her Sole Sister Status.

Christy wearing a modern remix of vintage & classic modern pieces. A 1930's hand-embroidered peasant blouse, bakelite button earrings from A Blast from the Past, Cartonnier high-waist trouser jeans, bakelite bangles (her thrifted collection), and her 1940's favorite navy platform shoes.

LG: What is your FAV pair of Vintage shoes & why?

CP: My favorite pair of vintage shoes is a 70 year old pair of navy blue suede platform shoes ~ 70+ years old! ~ with high ankle straps & cutouts. I purchased these and six other pairs of 1940's shoes from one owner ~ all in my size and all in fabulous condition. And yes, most of them will never leave my closet!

LG: Where does your love for vintage clothing / style come from?

CP: My love of vintage shoes first began over two years ago when a family shoe store closed its doors after a century in business, and I was able to acquire more than 50 pairs of shoes from the 1890's - 1930's that had been old stock in the shoe store's basement. Most were still in their original boxes with original price tags. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to open the box of 1890's boots and smell new shoes. Handling and photographing that shoe collection was most certainly a highlight for me.

1960's Red Mule Platform

LG:  Tip's for Vintage shoe shoppers?

CP: Handling so many pairs of vintage shoes has made it obvious to me that only the most expensive designer shoes today can rival the quality of most shoes from the 1960's and back. Shoes from the 1950's and earlier are completely handcrafted of high-quality leather ~ kid leather, suede, etc. The soles are leather, the body of the shoes leather, and the shoe linings leather too. Most will be good for another 50 years after a cleaning & a trip to the cobblers for minor repairs for some. A loose or soiled insole, wobbly heel, missing heel tap are all easy fixes by a cobbler. Even though I can't afford designer shoes, I can afford a small bill from the cobbler.

To find a fabulous pair of vintage shoes that fits your personal style and size, I recommend measuring a similar pair of shoes that fits you well to get an accurate idea of the length and width of your foot. Most shoes from the 1950's onward are labeled with a size, but shoes earlier than the 1950's are often not marked, so measurements are a must.

Some of the FAB selections from her shop. Exclusive to Evolution Revolution Readers: - 

ENJOY 20% OFF in her shop using the code: EvoVtg 

 1960's Red/White/Blue MOD Dress Shoe (7)

 1960s Red Sling Back Sandal with Knot details - 1940's Style (7)

 70's Green "Snake" skin - Fredrick's of Hollywood (10)

 80's Mustard Vintage Kenneth Cole w Lucite Heels (9)

60's Navy Vintage Fredrick's of Hollywood Sling back (9/10)

What's your FAV pair of Vintage shoes??? 

My Picks from Evolution Vintage

 Vintage 1950's Gold Metallic Mules w Kitten Heels (6.5)

 Vintage 1972 Stuart Weitzman for My. Seymour (8/8/5)

 Vintage Salvatore Ferragamo Burgundy/Black Shoes w Bow Detail (7.5 AA)

1970's Metallic Sandals (w matching clutch) (7M)

Patriotic Pairings for Spring/Summer

Patriotic pairings are a trendy choice for Spring / Summer 2011 ~ for us residing in the USA/U.K. embrace your RED, WHITE & BLUES with a little nautical twist and glam gold accents. To be Canadian CHIC, get rid of your blues and rock your red & white!! xo

*Trends are suggestions and not to be taken literally really. They are intended to be interpreted by you and your own unique and personal style. The color pallet can serve as inspiration. For example one of the colors is white - nothing is as chic as an all white ensemble with great accessories for Spring/Summer*

I got this fabulous R/W/B striped Vintage coat yesterday and it was instinctual that I immediately LOVED it for this season.

I then cruised by my p.o. box to pick up my mail and was greeted with the latest issue of Harpers Bazaar to find the following reinforcement (Click on images to ENLARGE):





CHIC confections from Evolution Vintage (SHOP: http://www.evolution-vintage.com/ )

SHOP: http://www.evolution-vintage.com/

No matter what flag you live under you can ROCK YOUR VERSION of the above or perish the thought all together, wear what YOU want for S/S 2011 and let your Fashion Forecaster Freak Flag FLY HIGH!! I will personally be waving BOTH flags this season.