Seduce Me With Your Shoes: April 2012

Friday 27 April 2012

Hello shoe lovers and happy Friday!

Sorry for the post delay this week but I have been working on exciting things which I can’t wait to share!

For those who don’t know, I am a dancer and have been for 21 years. Although shoes are my passion, dance is my LIFE and always has been. A day without dance is like a day without breathing; It’s impossible.

Exciting enough my two passions are coming together in May!

Next weekend is America’sNext Top Model Live!

The ultimate fashion and shopping event of year is happening from May 4 – 6 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Myself and 9 other dancers brought together by T.D.O.T. The Dancers of Toronto will be performing at the Schwarzkopf Professional Main Stage Show choreographed by the fantastic Leon Blackwood.

You can learn more about the performers here.

Also, I just found out that a former Rye-high friend of mine will be speaking at the convention!

Kendall Donaldson (who btw inspired me to blog) will be speaking at the event next Friday on behalf of French Connection. She is part of the blogging panel and will be speaking on the Style Stage. Be sure to hear her speak at 7:30pm!

Along with performances and speakers there will be a runway show. So don't worry I will definitely be taking notes of the fashion and the shoes ;).

So if you’re in Toronto be sure to check out this great fashion filled weekend!

Friday 20 April 2012

Manolo Mania

For those who aren't in my close circle of friends you might not know that I am obsessed with Manolo Blahnik. The man, the shoes, everything. And because of my elephant memory I can tell you exactly when the passion began.

I was in grade 10 and watching a Sex and the City marathon. It was season 3 episode 47: What Goes Around Comes Around. While Carrie was devastated over the latest 'Big" fiasco she gets mugged and the robber takes her bag or 'bagette', jewelry and Manolo Blahniks. While this would be horrifying for any woman, the hilariousness of this scene is Carrie begging the robber not to take her Manolo strappy sandals

she got at a sample sale. Check out the link below. Excellent comedic timing HBO, excellent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl73_Agg7YY

Not knowing what Manolos were I Googled them and it was instantly love. I find that his shoes are so wildly different and creative. I feel they are art for your feet rather than an ordinary shoe. My absolute favourite pair is the blue Hangisi Jewel Satin Pumps. I kind of have a strange ritual but when I go shopping at Sherway Gardens (basically the only mall I shop at) I always visit these shoes at Holt Renfrew. Yes I know I'm odd and I have now exposed my quirks publicly, but whatever, in Lady Gaga's words - I was born this way. It's just a constant reminder to myself that one day I will own these blue satin beauties (that are $981.95 before tax).

Now for the actual reason for my post today. At my university graduation last year my mom (who's the best of the best) gave me probably the sweetest gift. It was a Manolo Blahnik shoe made by TOUS that she found in New York City. TOUS is a jewelry store that has been around since 1920 and they have a line:

Manolo Blahnik for TOUS

High Heels Go Higher

They are miniatures of M.B's Mary Jane shoe. They come in gold-plated sterling silver and sterling silver pendants. My hilarious mom said she would always buy me my first pair of Manolos and now it was up to me - an adult - to buy a real pair.

This was the day of my graduation. Although it's hard to see but I'm wearing my Manolo TOUS necklace.

Thanks mom :)

Monday 16 April 2012

Arc Angels

Can you only imagine?

This product has not yet been created, but wouldn't it be amazing to see bun heads around the globe doing pirouettes and fouettes in these pointe shoes.

As a former ballet dancer I know my dance friends and I would have rocked these!

The Arc Angel is a footwear solution that will reduce the impact on dancers feet while in pointework training. The Arc has major support provided by installed elastic bands, which will encourage proper technique of this form of art. Traditional pointe shoes usually last 8-10 weeks. Using durable materials, the Arc angels will last the dancer for a longer period of time.

Design Brief

Target

Ideation 1

Ideation 2

Final

Thursday 12 April 2012

The End of an Era

" Era: a period of time marked by distinctive character, events etc."

When you think of Fashion Television the first thing to pop into Canadians minds is Jeanne Becker. When you think of Jeanne Becker, the first thing that will pop into their mind is Fashion Television.

Today is the end of an era. After 27 years of being on-air, Fashion Television announced that production has been suspended.

Since April 1985, Jeanne Becker has introduced viewers to some of the most powerful and influential fashion houses, photographers, stylists and models. She has met and interviewed legendary designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, John Galliano, Gianni Versace, Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney and the late Alexander McQueen. She has reported from fashion weeks in New York City, London, Milan and Paris.

Growing up I loved watch FT and seeing what was happening in the fashion world. This show really opened my eyes to another world and I couldn't get enough! This is where my passion for the fashion industry came from. If it wasn't for FT I wouldn't have been exposed to this world that is very much apart of my life today.

My favourite time of year was Jeanne Becker reporting from Paris Fashion Week at the Coco Chanel show. Every year Karl Lagerfeld would transform The Grand Palais into a spectacular arena of brilliance.

Jeanne Becker tweeted this morning, "The dream is over: After 27 glorious years, FT production ceased today. So sad to see some of my closest colleagues move on"

Today is a sad day for FT lovers all around, but I know something will be brewing for the future.

Fashion Television will live on through other forms

Saturday 7 April 2012

Petite Feet Shopping

So if you've been keeping up with my blog you will know that this weekend was the Petite Feet Shoe Sale. Of course I went bright and early Thursday morning for their VIP day. For the average woman this was shoe chaos, but for a shoe fanatic it was shoe heaven. Racks upon racks of designer heels, platforms, flats and sandals.

However for those with extra petite feet the shoes were limited. Having a size 5 foot often limits my options when it comes to shoes, so as much as I wanted to buy everything in sight I sadly couldn't. BUT I did manage to snag 2 lovely and super comfy flats from BCBG and Naturalizer. Both are nude/beige and the BCBG pair have black patent accents. They were $60 each (a steal especially for BCBG) and with my VIP discount I got them for even less.

On Friday I brought my mom who is the opposite of me and is a size 9 1/2 and to my shock she bought 4 pairs! I was super surprised as I refer to my mom as a 'safe shopper'. She got 3 from Naturalizer (1 flat and 2 heels for work) and to my astonishment a pair of red patent heels from Franco Sarto. I've never been more proud of my mother. My shoe habits are rubbing off...and I like it!