Manolo says, here is the most beautiful and elegant black patent and gold shoe from the Pucci. Yes, it is something different from the Pucci, as it does not employ or make reference to colorful Pucci pattern. But it is so beautiful, and look, the soles are made of gold!
Or perhaps the golden metallic leather. In any event, Pucci makes the smiles!
Manolo says, it is Friday, and what better way to celebrate being the Disco Queen of Suburbia than with the exuberantly purple, metallic, platform peep toes from the Dolce and the Gabbana?
Manolo says, here is something bright and cheery with which to begin your Thursday, the red snakeskin pumps from the Maestro Manolo Blahnik.
If this does not get your day off to the good start, nothing will.
Manolo says, here is the Rock from Donald J. Pliner, in the black suede and the brown antique “gator”.
The Manolo finds this shoe ever so faintly Marie Antoinette-ish, but in the good ball-gowns-and-frippery way, not in the “Let-them-eat-cake” while-being-dragged-to-the-guillotine way.
Manolo says, Yes, that strikingly handsome man who asked you out this morning at the coffee shop is at least ten years older, but how could you not say yes?
His eyes were blue, the hair at his temples silver, and his Hermes tie yellow. When he suggested dinner at La Goulue, it was all more than you could resist.
But now, what to wear?
Look! Here is the beautiful burgundy D’Orsay pump from the Charles David!
Manolo says, her is the unusual and attractive shoe from the Delman, one that would be suitable for wearing into the place of employment. And yet, even as these shoes are suitable for the professional wearing, the combination of the patent and the suede gives the shoe just the right quantity of fashion drama.
Manolo says, this platform peep-toe pump from Stuart Weitzman is not unattractive, indeed, it has much to recommend it. Unfortunately, this does not include the name..
But, as the readers of the Monolo know, the shoe designers sometimes go off the rails when naming their shoes.
Manolo says, yes, it is only Wednesday, but it is not at all too early to think about what you will wear this weekend. And what could be better than these super fantastically vibrant, racy red shoes from the Betsey Johnson?
Va Va Va Vooooooooooom!
Manolo says, the fall is coming, and it is time to prepare with shoes such as this simple, suede, sling-back peep-toe pump the Kate Spade. Not only is it elegant, but the Manolo thinks it is very smart in these two rich colors, the ruby and the navy.
Manolo asks, whose shoes?
When the Manolo saw the picture in this morning’s news feed, he immediately knew who it was, as only one person insists on wearing such over-the-top-shoes at any opportunity, however inappropriate, or whatever the cost in personal foot pain.
Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post.
Dear Manolo,
I love the shoes you recommend, but I’m working girl and too poor to afford most of them. Can you suggest something that would be appropriate for the office, but won’t completely empty my bank account?
Beth
Manolo says, as always the Manolo recommends saving the moneys carefully so that you might purchase the pair of the truly wonderful shoes. It is the eternal truism that nothing compares to the feeling of wearing well-made and beautiful shoes.
But, the Manolo knows that you are desperate, and that you need the new shoes now. You cannot show up for your very important job at the office of the Second Assistant Director to the Deputy Undersecretary of the Department of Homeland Phrenology in the barefeets. Your glowering boss, Madame Second Assistant Director McCracken, would not approve.
And so the Manolo, who understands what it is like to be poor, so poor that you must fashion your own super fantastic shoes out of the office products you have pilfered from the supply cabinet, will make the recommendation.
Look! Here is the Pfenning from the Anne Klein AK in the summery color called “kenya”. This is the professional shoe with the cute kiltie flair that looks good without rupturing your bank.
Manolo says, ayyyyyyy! Say it ain’t so, Miuccia!
Miuccia Prada, as one of fashion’s most innovative designers, is no stranger to being copied. Recently, however, it seems that she’s turned the tables and is doing a bit of copying of her own — or at least a member of her accessories team is. Check out these shoes from Prada’s Miu Miu line:
Not only does the style recall the patent leather, peeptoe pump that the brilliant shoe designer Christian Louboutin elevated to fashion ubiquity over the last few seasons (see both platform and standard versions below), but Miu Miu has imitated the red Louboutin sole as well.
Ayyyyyy! The worst part of this affront is that the Miu Miu version does not look half as good as the Louboutin.
Look, here are the two shoes together, the Miu Miu on the left.
This side-by-side comparison shows the clear influence of the Louboutin.
It is also is demonstrative of something the Manolo often talks about, of how the slight variations in shape and material can reduce the sublime form to something more pedestrian.
In all, the Manolo is sadly disappointed with the Prada, something which has been too common of late.
P.S. Many thanks to the Manolo’s internet friends the Susan for spotting this, and to the Ella for alerting the Manolo to it.
