AUG
2005
22

The Donald J. Pliner Speaks

Manolo says, the Manolo’s internet friend the Wayne (who is the veritable fount of the shoe information) has sent the Manolo the link to the excellent article about the Donald J. Pliner. Here is the sample.

Pliner, whose “foot fetish” began as a child, worked as an apprentice to his father Leo, who owned Pliner’s Florsheim Family Shoe Stores. Today, almost 40 years after opening his first retail store, Pliner owns six concept boutiques across the nation, including his store at the Forum Shops at Caesars, one of his strongest locations in the country.

“Right now, I’m in Los Angeles getting ready to design the fall 2006 (collection). I come here and go to stores, restaurants and clubs and get various ideas from watching people,” said Pliner of his creative process.

“I go looking around to see if there’s something I missed, then look at people — especially in LA — and start going through my old sketches,” he said. “Somewhere along the line, I come up with the color idea and start coming up with my themes.”

With styles ranging in price from $195 to $600 for men and $175 to $475 for women, Pliner offers luxury footwear at one of the most affordable prices around. For his fall 2005 collection, his themes involve western flair, innovative design and loads of color. And men will be pleased to know Pliner’s liberal use of color includes them too.

“Between the entertainment industry, music and hip hop industry, (fashion) is changing dramatically,” Pliner said.

“Color has really snuck very quietly back into the wardrobe. There’s been a whole change in attitude in men’s dressing, so the typical men’s shoe is changing.

As a retailer, I’m trying to offer a lot more. One of our new colors is called tomato. It’s an antique red and it’s flying out of the stores.”

Not only has the Manolo been the longtime fan of the Donald J. Pliner, but he has even in the past recommended the tomato colored shoes of the Donald J. Pliner!

AUG
2005
22

The Greatest Living Male of the Species

Manolo says, #100? Below the Ricky Gervais and the Woody Harrelson? This rankings it must be inverted.