Manolo says, at last, something to put on the dashboard of your car…in Hell!

Already an icon in his own right, Karl Lagerfeld is becoming a collectible, too. The designer has collaborated with Pixi on a miniature lead figurine of himself in his trademark regalia. The doll is being issued in a limited run of 1,000 figures and is on sale exclusively in Paris at Colette for 200 euros, or about $300.

Skull Island, Secret Lair Playset not included.

P.S. Many thanks to the Manolo’s internet friend Genevieve for alerting the Manolo to this keepsake of evil.

Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post.

Dear Manolo,

In March I’ll be accompanying my husband on a business trip to Australia. After three days of work in Sydney, we’ll then be free to do our own thing. What would you recommend for lots of walking and sightseeing?

Jennie

Manolo says, ayyyy! The Manolo loves Australia! Or perhaps, more correctly, the Manolo loves the idea of Australia, as sadly the Manolo has never himself made the trip to the land of the antipodean marsupials, where kangaroos and Crocodile Dundees roam the land in impressive herds.

Yes, the national fashion stereotype is of the rustic “swagman”, or “jackaroo”, in the khaki shorts, dirty singlet, and cork hat, the giant can of Fosters in his hand, and work boots upon his feets.

But the Manolo would suggest, to the contrary, that any nation that has produced the celebrities Hugh Jackman, Baz Luhrmann, and Dame Edna Everage clearly has much to offer in the way of the super fantastic.

As for his friend, the Manolo recommends to her the Cole Haan Air Gabi Boat Shoe in the color called Cranberry Satin. It is the pretty little reinterpretation of the classic that would be prefect for the casual sort travelling that she proposes.

Manolo says, ayyyyy! The Manolo has been travelling this week and tonight he has landed at the hotel whose television system does not have the Bravo channel, and tonight is the Project Runway!

Do not worry, though, the Manolo will watch it tomorrow and give you his report tomorrow evening.

Manolo asked, whose shoes?

Manolo answers, it is the Mariah Carey!

Congratulations to the Manolo’s internet friend Cat, who was the first to correctly guess whose shoes.

Let the Manolo be the first to say, somewhat sadly, that the Mariah is wonderfully talented, and yet possessed of the terrible, trashy, inappropriate fashion sense.

Manolo says, this pretty, low-heeled dress sandal, the Copley from the Anne Klein New York is on sale, 24% off of the usual price, the savings of nearly $60 of the American dollars!

This is the sort of shoe that would become the staple in your closet, something you could wear on many occasions and never be out of style.

Manolo asks, whose shoes?

Manolo says, this sandal from the Dolce and the Gabbana is sort of item that rides the very thin line between utterly tacky and completely stunning, and for that reason the Manolo loves it! For as we know, the true fashion is found on the border between the classic and the trashy.

Manolo says, it is Tuesday, time to see what the Manolo is…

Reading…

Watching…

Listening to…

Manolo says, here is the simple, elegant, evening sandal from Stuart Weitzman. What more is there to say, except that it is indeed most gorgeous!

Manolo says, here is the best of the week from the Manolosphere.

Twistie…

Some of us aren’t religious, but still feel that a wedding where a woman is pledging her life, her heart, and her devotion to one person for the rest of her life isn’t necessarily the place to wear almost nothing above the nipple line.

Mr. Henry…

Although he has spent most of his good thinking hours trying to penetrate the minds of women, Mr. Henry has come to believe the task beyond the feeble abilities of man.

Never teh Bride…

After reading that, I was sorely tempted to rip out all my counters and cabinetry so I could start fresh with all manner of wonderful tables and cabinets.

Plumcake…

KNEE SOCKS! I almost died. In fact, since I live in Texas I “liketa” died.

Spirit Fingers…

If she gets bored of making movies, perhaps she can turn her attention into being a turbocharged investment guru with her own tv show.

Francesca…

Francesca imagined herself only slightly more lean and fit for doing more exercise and laying off the cookies – and with happy, happy insulin!

Raincoaster…

Now, we’re all for a healthy amount of recycling, redecorating, and re-purposing, and well aware of the (slightly muffled) ticking environmental time bomb that is disposable diapers.

Glinda…

About seven months ago, the Munchkin was in an extremely all-encompassing pirate phase. Everything had to be pirate, from his toys, to his movies, to his clothes.

Izzy Gallant…

It looks strangely familiar, and not in a good way.

Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post.

Dear Manolo,

A very fashion forward friend of mine asked the question yesterday, “With regard to shoes for this spring, is beige the new black?” I said I would consult the Manolo who is the only person I trust to have the correct information about the shoes for any season.

Deborah

Manolo says, there is no “new black”. Black is black and it shall never be replaced as the most essential color (or non-color) in the wardrobe.

This is not to say that there are not important color trends now at work in the world of feetwear, only that the Manolo has grown extremely weary of the phrase “such-and-such is the new black.”

As for these current fashion trends, beige shoes will be prevalent, but the more striking trend this season will be bold colors, and indeed, the Manolo has already declared 2008, the “Year of the Colorful Shoe”

We are already seeing festive shoes that are saturated with bright colors, rich variations of purple, orange, yellow, green, blue, and red.

Look here is the Jade from Via Spiga, the round-toed slingback shown here in the purple patent leather, but also available in yellow and orange. Is this not infinitely more fun than beige?

Manolo says, here are the few links which may perhaps amuse…

I will miss that you were the first one this season to use the shoes that I now officially nominate as The Patron Shoe of Project Runway 4:

I won’t lie — I’m a huge camper fan. I love the crazy old school ones that look like silver pill bugs!

Since I have gotten a bicycle, I’ve been rethinking my style.