Festive footwear: what to wear at those holidays parties

   

You're probably one of the many women/girls who can't decide what shoes to wear at the parties you about to attend. Don't worry, it happens to all of us! I have prepared a collection of things you should consider when deciding what shoes to wear. Consider them more as guidelines than rules.

The key is to find the shoe that goes with the dress, with the type of party you're attending and with the message you want to deliver. This is up to you, of course, because no one can find the magic solution for all. But I can tell you how I decide what shoes to wear on holiday parties.

Sometimes I make the outfit starting from the shoes, because lets say I bought a gorgeous new pair and this would be the perfect opportunity to wear them. But usually it doesn't happen like that. Usually you buy a new dress and you're driving yourself crazy picking the shoes. Let's face it, it's difficult finding a pair that makes a statement, but also complement your dress and be appropriate for a get together with friends and family or work colleagues. ALL at the same time.

I love very high heels. But since I don't find them appropriate for work (where I spend most of my time) I can't really enjoy this pleasure of mine. Therefore, at every party I tend to wear the highest pair I own, or buy the highest pair possible. Another important factor is the fact that they have to be somehow out of the ordinary: studs, electric colours, special fabric, bows, glitter, a very special cut or a very special heel. You get the idea: something that makes them pop out of the crowd of black shiny shoes. This means of course that I would wear a rather simple dress, because you can't have both of them screaming "look at me!", it would be too much. 

Also, with a holiday party I like to experiment meaning that I have the tendancy to try something new, something I wouldn't wear regularly: animal print, glitter, very strappy sandals, shoes with lots of flowers and bows ecc. It's all about pushing my limits. But, there are times when I go for classy shoes: velvet as fabric, a little bit of glitter here and there and so on. It all depends on where and with who I go to.

This year I have an obsession with red suede platform shoes. They never go out of style, they're classy but daring at the same time and you can pair them with many styles of dresses. So my dilemma is solved!

Now, I thought of showing you some shoes that I find suitable for these events. I really hope they will be useful for you, helping you decide what's best for your feet this year. For today's post I have chosen only Romanian designer shoes. So here we go:

 AloChic Pumps

AloChic Pumps

Chou Chou

 Coca Zaboloteanu

 Coca Zaboloteanu

 Coca Zaboloteanu

 Condur by Alexandru

 Condur by Alexandru

 Lust of Creation

 Lust of Creation

 Lust of Creation

 Mihai Albu

 Mihai Albu

 Mihai Albu

 Musette by Christelen B

  Musette by Christelen B

 Musette by Christelen B

 Oana Vasiloiu

 Oana Vasiloiu

 Pantofi Chic

 Pantofi Chic

 Pantofi Chic

 Pantofi Chic

 Pixie Shoes

Pixie Shoes

 Sepala by Mihaela Glavan

 Sepala by Mihaela Glavan

  Sepala by Mihaela Glavan

How do you chose your shoes for the holiday parties? Which of the ones I chose would you wear?

Tune in tomorrow as there will be a selection of high-fashion designer shoes!

photo source: chouchou.ro, cocazaboloteanu.ro, condur by alexandru, lustofcreation.ro, mihaialbu.ro, oana vasiloiu, pantofi chic, pixieshoes.ro

Cocor Department Store - a month later

More than a month ago, I was talking to you here about the launch of the so much awaited Cocor Luxury Store. The launching event created media (and not only) controversies, as the store turned out to be just Cocor Department Store, no luxury included as promised. 

A month later, I decided to wonder through the store again and see if there are improvements. Join me in this journey meant to show you if it's worth visiting this store and why.

Compared to last month, at the launching event, when half of the stores where empty, I had the pleasent surprise to find all of them occupied. It would have been more pleasent, however, if the stores hosted at least quality pieces, if not luxury.

The only brand which is close to the idea of a luxury store is Guess. Located at the first floor, the brand displays the latest collection in its own store. Other than this, it's just tacky, kitschy clothes that you could find in cheap bazaars. 

From my point of view, their only achievment is the Romanian Designers Gallery. Located at the 2nd floor, the gallery hosts the creations of most of the important Romanian designers of the moment: Arz Wilhelmina, Badala Andreea, Diaconu Mirela, Flonta Otilia, Gaburici Costin Violeta, Glavan Mihaela, Ivan Adelina, Nichita Cristina, Nita Diana, Negulescu Anca&Silvia, Perseil Elena, Radulescu Anca, Rhea Costa, Secareanu Carmen, Stoenescu Florentina, Stoica Norina, Serban Irina, Serban Oana, Serban Silvia, Tincu Andreea, Toma Agnes. 

Apparently, from what I could see for myself, but also from what the store representatives had to say, this gallery is a bit hit. People visit it and look at all the creations, try them on and even buy them. For those of you interested, starting today (!) they even have the beautiful leather dresses (which are even more gorgeous, live) of the wonderful Negulescu sisters that you saw on Thursday at Avanpremiere Gala. 

As for the shoes, the Romanian Designers Gallery hosts the creations of Mihaela Glavan for both Sepala and Mihaela Glavan brands, but also shoes from Papucei.ro. Unfortunately, the store representatives didn't allow me to take photos of the shoes, they said it's not in their policy. But you can take my word for it. For Mihaela Glavan, they have the latest collections and, even more interesting, the Sepala TouchedBy Adelina Ivan collaboration collection which looks amazing.

 Sepala TouchedBy Adelina Ivan

Sepala Fall Winter 2010-2011 shoes you can find in the Romanian Designers Gallery

Cocore Department Store announced at the beginning of November that there will be new designers joining the Romanian Gallery, among which the famous shoe designer Mihai Albu. Pretty interesting!

Another store worth visiting if you are interested in shoes is Authentic. A Romanian business also, it was started in 2003. They have some beautiful quality shoes, most of them for a girl who preffers classic shoes. All made of leather or suede, in red, black, blue, purple, nude, white or other combination of colours, the shoes are very feminine and comfortable. The prices are friendly too, ranging from 200 RON to 400/500 RON. You can find them at the third floor, right next to the escalators.

Besides these highlights, the Cocor Store continues to dissapoint with cheap looking shoes, shoes with red soles - fakes of Louboutins, grandma shoes or incredibly boring shoe stores named "Suzy" where UGG boots are like designer pieces.

What do you think about Cocor Department Store, have you visited it? What do you think about the Romanian Designers Gallery and Authentic shoes that I showed you here?

photos: Sepala, the others made by me.

Ergorapido by Mihai Albu, Kristina Dragomir and Lena Criveanu

The three Romanian designers Mihai Albu, Lena Criveanu and Kristina Dragomir have accepted to be involved in the project called Ergorapido by Electrolux 2010. During July and October, the three designers were given by Electrolux the new vacuum cleaner Ergorapido 2 in 1, which each of them has transformed according to their own style and vision.

The innovating, special design of this vacuum cleaner has offered these designers true inspiration and possibilities to play with their immagination.

Therefore, the one customised by the famous shoe designer Mihai Albu not only reflects the character of this useful item, but also the artist's perspective on it. The shoe designer translated an organic concept, using natural fabrics - snake skin. This is what made the item come to life, leaving the relatively rigurous shape behind and adopting a new fluid and harmonious shape.

The designer Lena Criveanu associated household activities, apparently boring, to fun, using as inspiration the design, the functionality and the vivid colours of the Ergorapido Vaccum Cleaner. The one customized by Lena Criveanu talks about an adolescent, a fan of rock music, who transforms every day activities in fun, fun, fun!

The Ergorapido customized by Kristina Dragomir highlights the seductive design and the verticality of the item. Through the designer's work, the classic household item was associated to a spectacular bird, which speaks magnetism through its looks: the peacock.

These three special edition items which have been transformed by the three amazing designers will be given to the persons who will donate important amounts, with a charitable purpose, of course. This will be done during the Halloween Ball organized by Leslie Hawke and OvidiuRom Association which will be held today, the 30th of October, at the Parliament House (you know, the big communist building everyone knows about Romania). There will be a special guest attending the Ball, the one and only Nicholas Cage! Details for participation here.

For the rest of us who will not be attending the fabulous event, here are the photos of the 3 special items. I personally love all of them! Which one is your favourite?

 Ergorapido designed by Kristina Dragomir

 Ergorapido designed by Lena Criveanu

Ergorapido designed by Mihai Albu