The End Of The Stiletto!

Zoraide Bootie

 OK, well, the title may be a bit dramatic... There will always be a need for a sexy nail thin stiletto heel out there, and even if the chunky platform heel is trending right now, I don't expect to see Charlize rocking that fatty heel Zoraide bootie with her bias cut Dior to any premiers. That being said, The stiletto seems to have become a cop out shoe for every girl, and fashion people are revolting with a chunkier alternative.

Prada Platform

While designers Marc Jacobs, and Miuccia Prada played with the proportion of the heel for fall and went with a 1940's via the 60's with a hint of 90's flashback, some like Phillip Lim put a modern twist with a pointy toe, and ankle strap, and Tom Ford went complete LUXE with a crocodile spine down the front of his gold platforms. 

Louis Vuitton Platform

 While looking at Style.Com's Accessory Index, it was easy to see that the spindly heel wasn't the major story for Fall, and while the designers just showed, and these shoes wont be in stores until at least mid summer, a quick browse around Nordrdstrom's Jeffrey Campbell page, and Aldo Shoes showed that even though this is a huge trend for Fall 2012, the look is totally summer ready! Yes, jacket's and chunky sweaters will finish this look perfectly, but think about the Thicker heeled sandals like Paco Rabanne, or even the Louis Vuitton stud finished platforms with cut off jeans, and a tank top! I LOVE the idea of a cropped slim trouser with Bally's Oxford.
 So even though we will never truly be saying R.I.P. to the stiletto heel, I think now is the perfect time to play with a "new" shape!

Photos From Style.com

Louis Vuitton's Windows Are Brills!

Louis Vuitton Spring 2011 Windows

  I love good displays! Clever is always great, but when they are executed perfectly, it gives me goosebumps! I remember in January of 2000 the Barneys NY windows in NYC were all white, with white furniture, and white mannequins in designer party dresses, lounging about with champagne glasses spilled all over... filled with opaque pink liquid... and Pepto Bismol bottles strewn about... Totally representing exactly how everyone in the city was feeling...

Louis Vuitton Spring 2011 Windows

  Well, the Louis Vuitton windows are totally done that great this season! I wish I were near a major store to see them in real life! My absolute favorite is the ostrich egg display. The eggs are strung up, and the cracked ones have accessories stuffed in them, all in front of a padded fuscia background! LOVE! The actual ostrich with it's neck extending through the wall, and piled with LV "Lockit" bags is no less clever, and so great!

Louis Vuitton Spring 2011 Windows

  And finally the Giraffe is just Great! I love the exotic cartoon quality of this theme! They are so cute, and so funny, if I were there, I would have to stop in, just based on the windows themselves, even if I had no idea what the store was... Does that person even really exist!? Anyway, I hope you like them too! If you are in NYC, send me some pics of the windows, I would love to see more!

You Know That Moment?

  I can actually point to 2 of them, you know, those life altering moments when you discover something. The moments you realize that something has you, it has you, trapped... Mine was Fashion!
  I have to say "Thanks" to my great Aunt Larille. She is my Grandfathers sister, and one of the defining moments in my life, and definitely the start of my interest in fashion. The Moment? The First Time I said the words "Louis Vuitton". In 1980, LV was simply a luggage company that made well constructed, and coveted handbags as well, and actually represented Luxury. It still has those connotations, but is geared to a much younger, and massive market.

Although Not Larilles Speedy, This Image Reminds me of
Those Days!

  Larille was down visiting my Nano, from Los Angeles, and I remember clearly noting that her bag (I know now it was a Speedy probably 30cm) had L's and V's on it. When I asked about the markings, she explained the concept of the luxury goods company. That it was called Louis "Wuitton", and that the monogram basically meant that the purse would last forever... Larille explained it for me, in a way a 5 year old could understand, I wish I could remember her words, because I one day want my child to feel the excitement I felt!
  That excitement still happens to me whenever I see a collection I love, Springs Prada did it to me, as did Gucci for Fall... I think that, even then, I knew that fashion held the excitement, and has the exclusivity of a secret club. A way to explore my differences from other boys. A way to escape...      
  Larille was like an angel to me then, the mass of platinum hair swept high on her head... The white convertible Volkswagen Beetle, and she spoke articulately, and with just a hint of an accent, which I still don't know where it came from. She is my childhood fashion icon, when she bought me a dolly, and taught me a really basic stitch. She would always sit and watch my fashion shows for the wardrobe I created for the toy. I wonder if it would be weird for her knowing what she created! I wish I saw more of her down here... She is very old, but from what i hear still a character, riding around her neighborhood on her bicycle. It has been a while, 15 years, I think, since our branches of the family have gotten together, but, no matter how long it has been, she is definitely my moment, and Icon #1!
  I think I am gonna spread these out! More "Fashion Moments In Ian's History" to come!