Manolo’s Shoe Blog

Manolo says, Monday+January+Nasty Weather=Wicked Bad Depression

Louboutin Sandals+Crystals=Super Fantastic Happiness!

Manolo says, over the next few days, the Manolo will be giving his forecast for the coming years shoe trends.

This next trend, which has been developing over the past year, has now fully arrived, and it is the brightly colored shoes. Currently we are seeing shoes which are saturated with color, not the primary color, but rich variations in the purples, the oranges, the yellows, the greens, the blues, and the reds.

In fact, the Manolo goes so far as to call this the “Year of Color”

This trend to color is visible at all levels of the market. Look, here are affordable shoes from Enzo Angliolini in bright orange and yellow.

And in the more expensive prices, here is deep purple satin slide from Ralph Lauren.

Yellow-ish platform shoes from Bruno Frisoni.

Two varieties of red from the Christian Louboutin.

So, add some colors to your feets this year.

P.S. Shoe Trends for 2008, Part One.

Manolo says, the Manolo cannot recommend everything that comes from the atelier of Christian Louboutain. In this case, it is the Anemone, the Louboutin shoe with too much junk in the trunk.

P.S. Here is the Manolo’s internet friend Poochie expressing her disappointment with these shoess.

Manolo says, in case you may have missed this last week, the Manolo caught the shoe designer Steve Madde stealing the designs of the master Christian Louboutin, and also the photos used by the Saks department store to promote the Louboutin shoes.

Over the weekend the Manolo’s internet friend Susan, at the Counterfeit Chic, dissected this case, and notes the irony that the photo stolen from the Saks website has more protection under the law than the design of the shoes, themselves.

Of the course, for the Manolo the greatest crime is that Steve Madden is attempting to defraud his customers, by making them believe his shoddily made shoes are exactly like the masterful original upon which they are based.

P.S. The Manolo’s friend Julie, also had the few erudite words to say about this case at her new shoe blog, Almost Heeled.

Manolo says, on the left you see the beautiful Miss Fred Tacco Boot from Christian Louboutin which the Manolo mentioned earlier today, retail price $695.

On the right you see the Steve Madden Becks patent leather bootie which was spotted by the Manolo’s internet friend Carrie, and priced at $149.95.

Clearly, the Louboutin has inspired the Madden shoe, although, if one looks closely, as our internet friend Cassandra has done…

Is it just me or is the picture on the Steve Madden link Carrie posted the same exact picture of Louboutin’s shoe, but with the red sole photoshopped out?

And that is indeed the exact conclusion of the Manolo, that the graphic designers at the Steve Madden have simply stolen the Saks Fifth Avenue picture, applied the computer, and… hey presto! It is now the Steve Madden shoe!

Of the course, the other Steve Madden Becks Booties, in the different colors, required slightly more complex photoshopping mad skillz…

(more…)

Manolo says, the more the Manolo looks at this black patent leather bootie from Christian Louboutin, the more the Manolo has come to like it. For the Manolo it is the gold piping and the gold heel that have been both troubling and endearing.

“Is it too much? Maybe… No… Yes… Maybe… It is cute.”

Such are the internal deliberations of the Manolo.

As for the name, the Miss Fred Tacco, the Manolo has no idea.

Manolo says, the words “Christian Louboutin Over-the-Knee Boots” shout SEXY, but here you see Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez demonstrating that there is the fine line between sexy and ridiculous. Mimi simply looks ready to do the Pretty Woman stroll on Hollywood Blvd.

As for the J-Lo, all the Manolo could think about was this…

Which is clearly not what Christian Louboutin had in mind.

Manolo says, after the most recent shock to system of the Manolo, the Manolo has the need to reaffirm his belief in the abilities of the Chiristian Louboutin. Happily, this was not difficult.

Here is the Hyde Park, the beautiful gold and black t-strap sandal that will cleanse your palate of the distasteful flavor of bad fish.

Manolo says, Ayyyyyy! The Manolo is frightened!

Frightened not by the fishy shape of this ugly, $1000 dollar shoe, but by the idea that the maestro Christian Louboutin could design such monstrosities.

When your attempt to be whimsical results the green python fish shoes that appear to be regurgitating the wearer’s toes, do not be surprised if others question your judgment and taste.

The Manolo would put this shoe into his Gallery of the Horrors, but he is too dispirited. He must now go lay down with the cold compress on his forehead.

Please discuss this among yourselves while he is gone.

P.S. Via the Manolo’s internet friends at the Fashion Police