Finsk update

I hope you all remember my post on the wonderful Finsk shoes. I have recently found that Solestruck is selling some designs that aren't available anywhere else - the joy!

I'm so disappointed however that the designers haven't created their own online store or that they haven't allowed the ones they are collaborating with to sell a wide range of designs, not just the most "tamed" ones. I really hope that they are coming up with a battle plan as we speak and that soon everyone would be able to buy online any wicked design created by this label. Because their fame hasn't come out of the regular-ish shoes that you can buy at this point on Solestruck, Asos or Amelie Boutique. I think that everyone would like to buy the wonderful architectural wedges in pony hair or leather (as worn by Andy, Chiara and Bryan Boy) and this would be a great marketing move on their side too.

Until that moment comes, lets enjoy the new designs you can buy now on Solestruck:

photos: solestruck.com

Focus on: Jeffrey Campbell

Jeffrey Campbell is an American shoe brand founded 10 years ago in LA, California. A family based company, the label creates some incredibly cool shoes that are, as we speak, conquering the world one step at a time. 

The designers use vintage inspirations, runway trending and the grind of daily life to create the amazing cool and laid back shoes which have that special american coolness (same as American Apparel, for example). "Our inspiration comes from the everyday woman, the girl on the street, the lady on the subway, the inspiration is YOU" the designers claim. 

I find the shoes created by Jeffrey Campbell very Woodstock-like, with a retro vibe, but with a modern twist given by the fabric combinations and the shapes. What is best about them is the comfort they seem to be guaranteeing: strong chunky heels, a lot of wedges, strong platforms, kitten heels, all of which are fit for an urban girl on the run, just as the designers said.

They are mainly sold in the US and only recently they have been launched on the European market. Sadly, they cannot be found in any stores in Romania, but be thankful for the internet! You can buy them at several online stores that ship to Europe and Romania too: www.solestruck.com, www.modcloth.com, www.shopbop.com, www.stylebop.com. The offer does not cover every model, but you would be able to find the most popular ones. Solestruck is the most well-stocked store of them all and they even sell the very famous Lita shoes.

Bloggers all over the world have been going crazy about the Jeffrey Campbell shoes. I've seen these amazing shoes on the feet of Chiara Ferragni, Rumi Neely, Louise Ebel and Alix. My guess is that they will be soon as popular as the Finsk shoes, for example, which is another shoe brand that the bloggers have brought in the spotlight. I find it amazing how bloggers can promote a product this fast and this well.

I will leave you to some designs I have picked that I find relevant for the label. Feel free to share your opinions!

Fall 2010 Ad campaign

Lita shoes in taupe and navy blue suede (photo by Rumi for fashiontoast.com)

 Well-furnished Boot

 Tick Open Toe Bootie in Nude

Veronica

Boot Camp in Khaki

 Foxy Wood

 Lady K

 Mariel

 Pixie Fur

 So Smart

 Tick

Tick in Tribal print (very Givenchy 2010)

 Miramar

 Abierto

 Shield

 Clinic

 Denmark

 Voom

XXL

credits: Jeffrey Campbell, www.solestruck.com, www.modcloth.com, www.shopbop.com, www.stylebop.com

fall report, B to C (part 2)

Hello Lovers,

I hope you like the improvements I made (so far). Please bear with me while I make this a better place for more articles on wonderful shoes. Also, I have started promoting the blog and, if I am fortunate, I will have some great things for you soon! 

Now, lets go back to our review of the next season's essentials and highlights (please notice that I have not used the word "trend" as I feel it has been used too much and we need to refresh our vocabulary).

The next collection in the spotlight is BCBG Max Azria. My favourites are the wedges which come in great shades and with a funky sole and heel. Also, the sleek platform booties in neutral shades are the perfect choice as they sum up some of these seasons's essentials: minimalism, neutral colours with a touch of the rigidness.

Blugirl has showed some really wonderful fierce shoes. The designer, Anna Molinari has mastered the animal print in all its forms: snakeskin, croc, leopard print and, this season's king, poney hair. With tall platforms and wooden sole, the designer seems to remember the clog frenzy that has had girls all over the world walk in uncomfortable, ugly shoes (there you have it, my opinion on clogs). Also, please notice the knitted tights which will be a hit for this season, again.

The shoes we have seen at Bottega Veneta as not exactly my cup of tea, but I like the idea. The black suede wedges are defintely something a girl should have in her closet this fall - comfortable, classic and yet with a twist to update them. The green ones are a little bit too shiny and cheap-looking for me, especially paired with those fishnets, but I picked them for the color which will definitely spice up fall's shoedrobe (trademark request, please :-) ).

Christopher Bailey for Burberry Prorsum is this fall's wizzard. He has created the shoes that everyone will be talking about and also wearing. He has started what they call the "aviatrix" style and what, in my personal view, is the perfect way to make a statement but also stay cool, modern and feminine. Sherling, buckles, leather, platforms, a little army touch and, there you have it, THE shoes for this season. Also, Bailey has reprogrammed the thigh-high boots making them in longer lenghts, snakeskin, platform stilettos.

You will be seeing remakes of these shoes everywhere: from the retailers such as Zara and Mango to every little local brand. Don't be amazed if you'll see them reproduced by the chinese and sold at small prices.

Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel has suggested we should bring out the Yeti in us and let our feet get as furry as can be. These will surely be the most warm and comfy boots for winter. I'm not exactly the number one fan of them, but I think they have a great potential. Plus, they are so fun!

The Chloe collection has shown some really comfy and classy shoes: amazing camel-coloured booties and wedges in automuns fav colours such as burgundy. They both represent the return to minimalism and classic colours.

John Galliano for Dior has proved, once again, that he is a fashion god. The shoes in the fall/winter 2010 collection are mind-blowingly amazing and they sum up all the tendencies in shoe fashion, at every level: color, texture, style, material, lengths, ways to wear them. Every girl should find something of her liking in this encyclopedic collection:

-buckle booties in nude or brown-burgundy with a cute heel and a fierce sole

-tall suede booties with corset-like back lace, with the same buckles and sole

- leg warmers on top of booties to keep your feet warm and give a fresh vibe to every styling

-knee-high boots with some patchwork combining different textures and materials, finished with the amazing buckles

-and last but not least, the amazing lace booties with corset-like back lace.They are so fenimine and delicate, but make such a strong statement. They are by far one of my favourites and they make me love Galliano even more.

 

This is so far the second part of the fall report. Stay tunned 'cause there are more to come!

Don't hesitate to let me know which ones are your favourite and which ones you would proudly bring on the streets this fall.

source for the photos: nymag.com

Shoes to die for: Finsk

I thought of writing a post about the craziest, funniest and coolest shoes out there. It's about the finnish brand FINSK and, like everything that comes from the northern countries, they are arty and one of a kind. Finsk shoes are on everyones lips right now, but on few people's feet.

My Facebook friends have already had a preview, but I thought of writing a complete post about this brand.
You can find their site here. The brand is so exclusivist that they only sell in selected boutiques in few cities like Paris, London, New York ecc. Asos has some available on their site, here, but they have selected only the most "normal" designs, unfortunately (there were more pieces available, but they're sold out). You can also find them in another online shop, called Amelie boutique, see their selection here.

Now, are you ready to treat your eyes to some incredible shoes?

Architectural blue platform pumps
grey wedges
grey sandals with coral lace (available on asos, here)
some very architectural wedges, for those who want to make a statement
these are the best ones - wedges made of pony skin (poor ponies, but they can be happy they created such an amazing shoe)
Snakeskin platform cut-out pumps. They're a little more "tamed", but they still have the edgy vibe going on

The designer collaborates with different fashion designers, creating the shoes for them. The ones below are made for Ports 1961, in a very extremly fresh, clean and wearable design:
Here are some pieces made for Basso and Brooke, with a rainbow theme and prints:
If you have one of the shoe gods say anything like the following words about you, it means that you really are something:
"I am captivated by her work. It is like nothing anybody is doing at the moment, exquisite, devine, perfect." Monsieur Manolo said about her in W Magazine.

I think great things are still to come from this designer and this brand. We just have to wait and see.