Manolo’s Shoe Blog

Here you see the two pairs of shoes from the Roberto Cavalli, shoes which properly capture the Robert Cavalli aesthetic, which the Manolo might describe as “Long Island Russian Mafia Gun Moll”.

And yet, for all of that, the Manolo finds these shoes “almost”. Almost worth wearing. Almost beautiful. Almost super fantastic.

The problem is that the Manolo, who believes that true fashion lies on the border between the trashy and the classic, thinks that these shoes are located just across the fashionable border into the land of the trashy, which means these shoes are “almost”.

Of the course, this tendency to keep adding the junk to the shoes until they seem too much is not merely the major draw back of the Roberto Cavalli., it is also undoubtedly his greatest selling point, making his shoes perfectly suited for the flashy and unsophisticated market he has captured.

Do not get the Manolo wrong, the Roberto Cavalli is talented, it is just that he needs to be restrained.

Look here is the picture of the Cavalli at the Costume Institue Gala.

Clearly, this is not the celebrity endorsement which the more sensitive designer would be happy to have.

Update: The Manolo’s internet friend Nicole disagrees.

Manolo says, Pepe, don’t forget the hedges!

**

And now the Manolo must clarify the few things.

Yes, the Manolo likes to gently mock the John Galliano, mostly for his theatrical dress and his outrageous runway behavior. And yet, even as the Manolo mocks, he must also acknowledge that, more than any other current designer, John Galliano has the ability to be sublime.

Indeed, he is one of the few working designers whom the Manolo is willing to call the genius. This judgement, long held by the Manolo, has been further confirmed by his most recent Parisian show, the Fall 2007 prêt-à-porter collection.

There are pieces in this collection that the Manolo finds beautiful, and smart, and filled with character and charm and individuality and movement. And it is not just the individual clothes, but the entire gestalt of the show, with its detail and whimisicality, which impresses. Even the shoes, although ultimately unwearable, look good.

Manolo says, one of the Manolo’s internet friends has asked the Manolo the question.

Hey Manolo,

Just want to preface that I absolutely love your fashion blog (but I bet you hear that all the time)! But anyway, as I was perusing the latest issue of Vogue, I ran into a little article about how platforms are coming to an end ( A New Altitude p352). Is this true? Will my 5′ 3/4″ frame never again surpass the average height for women?

What are you thoughts?

Carmel

Fresh from the internets this very morning, the Manolo gives you the John Galliano’s Fall 2007 ready-to-wear collection from the Dior.

Yes, the platforms they are not completely yet out.

Although, to judge from the height and the color and the excessive strappiness we have moved from the restrained and classical period of the platforms into the final decadant period before they leave the scene for the few years. You have until perhaps the end of the year to enjoy them.

The Manolo has spoken.

Manolo says, this is very witty, if you are eight.

Manolo says, be still the Manolo’s beating heart, for it is yet another visit from the Manolo’s favorite funky little fashion troll, and he has arrived bearing the post-apocalyptic fashion treats!

In both cases, it is the man purse that makes it work.

“Galliano says, Admit it, big boy, you want what Galliano has.”

Manolo says, one of the Manolo’s many internet friends has asked the Manolo the question.

I’ve bought a fabulous black wrap dress. I wear it with stilettos for an evening dinner, but I’d like to dress it down a bit with boots. I want to wear that super fantastic dress at work too!

What type of boots would you suggest ? High boots ? Mid-calf ? Leather ? Suede ?

Thank you very much,

Julie

First the Manolo must compliment the Julie on her marvelous taste. Every super fantastic girl must have at least one of the Diane von Furstenberg wrap dresses in her closet. They are the very definition of the word “classic”.

Beacuse the shilouette and fit of the DvF wrap is very soft and feminine and pretty and because it is also the very practical garment, the Manolo would recommend that the feetwear should have these same qualities of softness, practicality, and femininity.

Thus he would suggest this black knee-high suede boot from the Michael Kors.

Normally, the Manolo is not the fan of the chunky chains on the boots, but in this case, because of the black-on-black combination of the boots and the dress, the chain adds the needed flash to the ensemble.

Manolo says, for some reason, this picture makes the Manolo sad.

Manolo says, the Kathleen at the Fashion Incubator she has posted several lengthy and quite impressive pieces connected with the latest Carnivale of the Couture. If you are at all interested in the creative process and how the aspect of technical complexity figures into the production of the pieces of fashion, you must go now to her site and scroll down to read all of these interesting items.

P.S. Because of the Manolo’s very busy schedule of travelling the Manolo has decided to temporarily put the Carnivale of the Couture on the hiatus, until the first week of the September. (Although, if the volunteer would like to relieve the Manolo of this duty during this period…)

Manolo shouts, Galliano!!!!!

P.S. Of the course, in the absense of the Manolo, the Izzy had already made the hilarious comment.