Shoes buzz

Sunday, August 3, 2014

The Windsor Smith and The Chunky Platforms Frenzy

Trying my new platforms at Magma Milano store

Shopping selfie with my new "chunks"

Windsor Smith "Puffy" in white

Jeffrey Campbell "Scully" Platforms

Stella McCartney Kristy Pumps - mmmh, maybe for next Fall :-)

Street Art in Milan (Sant'Ambroeus and Attila The Hun) - Corso di Porta Ticinese (just in front of Magma Milano)

Chunky platforms are this season must haves. Some of the coolest "chunkies" are the ones by Stella McCartney, really stylish, but pretty expensive for a rubber shoe, in my opinion, and the ones by Jeffrey Campbell and Windsor Smith, still cool but much more affordable. This last Australian shoe brand is having a rocket growth in the past few years under their new, innovative and brave design team (their head designer is said to be only 21-years), and it is now super fashionable among young girls, fashionistas, bloggers, socialites over the globe... as you probably noticed.

As a true fashion victim and serial shoe collector :-), I couldn't miss this trend... and just went for Windsor Smith's "Puffy*" platforms in white. I'm more a super sleek stiletto kinda girl, but I like these platforms: they are fresh and fun. Morevover, their high sole bring you some additional height (I'm tall, but I hate walking too close to the ground...) and they are quite comfortable to walk in. I chose these platforms in white to sport them with my summer outfits, they are perfect with a pair of shorts and a basic tee or with some super short dress or skirt (as you can see in my pics above, even if they are quick selfies, not super polished professional photos, sorry for that). To be clear: I'm not throwing away or encouraging you to throw away all your stilettos...but I think these platforms are a smart and trendy option for your off-duty, more relaxed time.

Other notes: they run a little bigger than their size, have an acceptable quality for their price (their leather straps are soft) and their high sole can help you to stand any weather (like this super rainy summer in the North of Italy), just be careful if you buy them in white since they can get dirty more easily... I bought them at Magma Milano**, a nice store with a large selection of Windsor Smith, Jeffrey Campbell, Steve Madden, Ugg (one of the best in Milan)...a little paradise for a shoe addict like me. You can find this model also at many e--commerce sites (Windsor Smith official site, which is shipping to many countries, including Italy, and others).

And you? do you like this trend?

Spikey V.

Gli zatteroni sono tra le scarpe da avere in questa stagione. Tra i piu’ interessanti ci sono quelli di Stella McCartney, fantastici, ma piuttosto costosi per essere delle scarpe in gomma, a mio parere, e poi quelli di Jeffrey Campbell e Windsor Smith, sempre trendy, ma molto più abbordabili. Quest'ultimo e’ un marchio di calzature australiano che sta avendo una crescita pazzesca negli ultimi anni sotto il nuovo e innovativo team di design (il brand ci tiene a far sapere che il proprio direttore creativo ha solo 21 anni), ed è letteralmente esploso ed amatissimo dalle giovanissime, dalle appassionate di moda, blogger, vippine varie, anche in Italia ... come avrete notato.

Da vera fashion victim e collezionista compulsiva di scarpe :-), non potevo perdermi questa tendenza ... cosi’ ho scelto gli zatteroni di Windsor Smith "Puffy**" in bianco. Che sia chiaro, non sto pensando di abbandonare tutti i miei tacchi a spillo per questi zatteroni, ma li trovo una soluzione fresca e divertente per il tempo libero, un’ottima alternativa ad esempio alle sneakers. Sono infatti molto comode, ma non rasoterra (sono alta, ma proprio non mi piacciono ballerine ed affini, trovo che i tacchi donino molto ad ognuna di noi). Ho scelto la versione in bianco, che mi sembra la piu’ giusta e piu’ adatta all’estate, la trovo perfetta con degli shorts ed una semplice t-shirt o canotta o con dei mini-abiti o minigonne (come spero possiate vedere nelle mie foto qui sopra, anche se sono dei selfie veloci, non ho avuto il tempo di scattare delle foto piu’ professionali).

Altre note: calzano un po’ più grande della loro misura, hanno una qualità accettabile per il loro prezzo (le fasce in pelle sono morbide e la calzata complessivamente buona), fate attenzione se le prendete in bianco perche’ possono sporcarsi più facilmente ... Dove si trovano? Io le ho prese da Magma Milano**, un negozio con un vasto assortimento di Windsor Smith, Jeffrey Campbell, Steve Madden, Ugg (uno dei migliori a Milano) ... un piccolo paradiso per una super appassionata di scarpe come me. È possibile trovare questo modello anche in molti siti di e - commerce (tra cui il sito Windsor Smith ufficiale, che pare consegni in molti paesi, Italia compresa).

E tu cosa ne pensi? Ti piace questa tendenza?

Baci

Spikey V.

*Corso di Porta Ticinese, 22 Milano +39 02.83.73.924
** Also the Lily platforms are very fashionable, but I think they are better for teens and twenties. Anche il modello a sandaletto a gabbia Lily e’ super-trendy, ma lo trovo piu’ adatto per le giovanissime.

Monday, July 21, 2014

Tom Ford Is Back To His (Super Sexy) Best - The Padlock Shoes Line

Tom Ford FW14 - Advertising campaign

Ayers Snake Strappy Padlock Sandal - photo tomford.com

Calfskin Strappy Padlock Sandal - photo tomford.com

White Padlock Pump - a style sported by many celebs and jet setters - Google images photo

As a blogger for heels addicted (like me), I need to talk to you about Tom Ford padlock shoes. Do you know them? The padlock is a classic line by Tom Ford, very sophisticated, sensual and playfully fetish, with the addition of the brass padlock and of the delicate ankle straps*. All other details are looked over maniacally, such as the golden covered stiletto heels or the low-dipped vamp that elongate the leg. Btw. the team working with Tom Ford reported to me that he is always asking for the best and most exclusive leathers, snakes, prints, accessories... they also mentioned he doesn't like flats at all... I love you, mr. Ford!

For next Fall, Ford introduced some new sexy strappy sandals, on stores now, to his classic padlock pumps line. He is really back to his super sexy best for next season, as highlighted by his advertising campaign (first photo from the top). Unluckily the price tags of Tom Ford's shoes are really expensive (from 750 EUR /1000 USD for the padlock pumps, to more than 1.100 EUR/1.500 USD for the padlock sandals). Okay, maybe next sales season...

* Probably Jimmy Choo was inspired by this line for her past season "hand-cuff" line, read more about it in my previous post.

Love.

Spikey V.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Hedi Is Doing It Right...

Vintage Leather Jacket: PINKO
Red Dress: FLAVIO CASTELLANI
Shopping Tote: CHANEL
Printed elaphe pumps - Saint Laurent (via Net-A-Porter)

A short post to tell you about my latest pumps by Saint Laurent.... Hedi is really doing it right in freshening up the Saint Laurent brand and making most of their products so cool. Unluckily, Saint Laurent ready-to-wear is still very expensive, while shoes and bags are more "affordable" and a great choice to add a glam and luxurious touch to any of your basic looks, in my opinion.

So during the current end of season sales I went for these pointed printed elaphe pumps. I find them very sexy and feminine, with a rock-chic accent, very high quality and quite comfy too (for being some 11-cm /4 1/4-in stilettos...), much more comfy for sure than Loubies (ops, yes, they are super feminine too, but usually much more hard to wear from day-to-night as I'm used).

Last week I wore them with a red dress and leather jacket, I love them also with skinnies or flared jeans.

Feel free to ask if you want any additional info about these pumps (their pointed-toe shape is the same of other styles in different colors/prints = Paris 105 model). Ah, they really run true to size (which is not usually the case for pointed toes shoes).

Love
Spikey V.

Monday, February 24, 2014

Those Heels (Dsquared2 Women's FW14 Show)

Dean and Dan: bravo!

Dean and Dan and their multi-color, multi-texture creations

Dsquared2 white "nurses"

White, graphic, animalier, glitters...

All pics are mine except for this one (a regram by @fsfashiondesign)

Great show and great heels today at Dsquared2 Women's FW14 Show in Milan... high, glittered, glamorous, lady-like, sixties, hypnotic, funny, no platform heels... Here for more.

XX

Spikey V.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Perfect Ripped Jeans

Leather biker jacket: BALENCIAGA

Denim shirt: GUCCI

Tank: TEZENIS

(Perfect) ripped skinny jeans: JBrand by ShopBop

Woolen scarf: CAMERUCCI ARCHIVIO

Guerrillera cap: memory of a trip to Cuba
Bag: BOTTEGA VENETA

Booties: MIU MIU

This post is to talk you about my new ripped jeans and why I had to copy Chiara Ferragni (the iper-famous fashion blogger, ndr). Yeah, the truth is that I bought these skinnies after seeing her wearing them... I hesitated for a while (of course I don't like to copy like a dummy), but then decided to buy them, they are too perfect not to have them in my fashionista closet.

As an excuse for this guilt of plagiarism, you have to know:

1) I have been looking for a pair of ripped skinnies for a long, long time, I have some slouchy/tom boy distressed jeans, but, as you know, I do prefer a more feminine style.

2) I also have a crush on JBrand jeans, their fit is fantastic: slimming but very, very comfy (pretty a rare balance to be found).

3) I like to show you in my posts what I really like and I'm wearing in my daily life, not only something really original but working well just for a photo post.

4) ...it's almost impossible not copying Chiara from time to time, voluntarily or not, she is very good in wearing everything is new and trendy (and in a massive variety... thanks to all the fashion collaborations/promotions she is doing as part of her job)

Last Sunday, I styled these skinnies with one of my favorite scarf and green "guerrillera" cap (from a trip to Cuba) plus my leather biker jacket.

More for you, if you mind: I found these skinnies online at ShopBop (they were less expensive than at Net-a-porter), their delivery from US to Italy was really fast (3 days) and without any customs problem... (which is not always the case when ordering online on a US site for a delivery in Europe).

I hope you like this outfit and my brave outing... ;-)

XX
Spikey V.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

The Red Mouth Trend - Lauren Moshi Cig Lip

"Cig Lip" tank: LAUREN MOSHI

Leather Biker Jacket: BALENCIAGA PERFECTO

Faux Leather shorts: TEZENIS
"Twenties" Micro fishnet stay-ups: WOLFORD

Clutch with detachable chain: GIVENCHY Obsedia

Spikey pumps and booties (SS13): JEFFREY CAMPBELL

Probably you noticed the current revival of tongue/lips prints in clothing/accessories, this is an hot trend in the past seasons. These graphics are deeply rooted into our pop/rock culture as a sign of rebellion, anti-conformism and/or sex appeal. Think about the Rolling Stones "tongue and lips" logo (click here for more about this topic) or Andy Warhol lips prints in the late '50s. Well, many designers are revisiting the "tongue/lips" graphics (i.e. it's not a case that the trend-setter Hedi Slimane re-edited some '70s Rive Gauche lips print for his last SS14 collection, here for more, or that the famous blogger Chiara Ferragni included some lip shapes in her new Caia jewelry line).

One of the modern “lip and tongue” reinterpretation I like the most it's the "Cig lips" print by Lauren Moshi, an emerging LA artist and designer. As a true fashionista I "had" to add this graphic to my closet ;-). You can see it in the pics below (this was the outfit I wore last Sunday), styled with a leather biker jacket and with my Jeffrey Campbell shoes for a rock/grunge look. I really like it, don't you?

XOXO

Spikey V.