Shoe Trends 2008, Part 3

Marc by Marc Jacobs Mary Jane Buckle Pump   Manolo Likes!  Click!

Manolo says, above you see the handsome dark navy and cream, mary jane pump from the Marc by Marc Jacobs.

And yes, the Manolo has already announced that 2008 will be the “Year of Color“, but as is so often the case, there is the counter trend to the main trend, running in opposition. So, for the example, the vertiginous platform heels of the last spring were countered by the Torey Burch ballet flats.

This year the counter trend to the colorful shoes are the shoes which combine white with black (or navy and cream, or other variations).

Here are the other example, the Stuart Weitzman peep-toe pumps.

Stuart Weitzman Peep-toe Pump    Manolo Likes!  Click!

Previously, Shoe Trends 2008, Part 1, Shoe Trends 2008, Part 2.

JAN
2008
30

Bury My Heart In The Wooden Nike

Manolo says, how to go in style.

Plain rectangular caskets are so passé. For the past four decades, the Ga tribe in Ghana have celebrated the deceased by designing “fantasy coffins”. These resting places are made to symbolize the livelihood of the person inside of them — a fisherman is laid to rest in a giant wooden fish or a seamstress is tucked away in a sewing machine.

As Ghana imports more and more from the western world, these fantasy coffins have begun to rely more heavily on modern tastes and wealth. Now you can find coffins made to look like a Mercedes-Benz or as a Nike sneaker as seen in this photo taken at the Brooklyn Museum.

Of the course, the Manolo would never be buried in the Nike, not when this masterpiece is available.

Whose Shoes Wednesday…The Answer!

Manolo asked, whose shoes?

Manolo answers, it is the Johnny Depp!

Congratulations to the Manolo’s internet friend the Carol, who was not only the first to get the correct answer, but also the first respondent.

Giuseppe Zanotti for the Wednesday

E80391 from Giuseppe Zanotti    Manolo Likes!  Click!

Manolo says, here is something new and beautiful from Giuseppe Zanotti. the strappy, high-heeled sandal with the unusual crystal ornamentation.

This is perhaps one of the most stunning shoes the Manolo has ever seen from Giuseppe Zanotti, truly among his best work.

Whose Shoes Wednesday

Manolo asks, whose shoes?

JAN
2008
29

Winter Boots for the Young Professor

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

Dear Manolo,

I am a young professor. My campus is hilly, the winters are brutal, and the laptop and books I lug to class are very heavy. Is there a pair of black winter boots out there for me? They have to withstand the long walks and the winter storms. They have to look good with black pants. And they should convey innate authority while subtly reminding the world that even professors can be super-fantastic.

Thank you,
No Corduroy Patches

Ayyyy, winter! Is it over yet?

It is no secret that the Manolo is the fan of the La Candadienne boots for the bad weather wearing, especially if one must maintain some level of decorum and professional appearance, even while tromping through the arctic tundra of the frozen northern campus.

And so the Manolo would recommend one of the following two boots as being suitable for his patchless friend.

Terry by La Canadienne    Manolo Likes!  Click!

Here is the Terry from the La Canadienne the retro-stylish, low-boot that is supposedly impervious to the elements. This is the sort of boot that one can wear profitably under the black-on-black urban chic pants.

If the Manolo’s friend were to broaden her wardrobe, with the addition of skirts and tights, the tall boot would be more appropriate.

Katrina from La Canadienne    Manolo Likes!  Click!

This is the Katrina from the La Canadienne, which like the Terry is reputedly weatherproof.

Of the course, the Manolo is assuming that his friend is employed at the place where the bulk of the snow is removed by the appropriate authorities, thus allowing her to wear the heels.

If it is otherwise, where the ice and snow accumulate until the first thaw, and the hills are Himalayan in aspect, the Manolo would recommend something more technological in nature, with stout laces and perhaps crampons.

What the Manolo Is…

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

Reading…

Watching…

Listening to…

Based upon Andrew Morton’s new biography of Tom Cruise the most charitable thing the Manolo can say is that Tom Cruise is well-intentioned. Although he is also so self-absorbed, callow, solipsistic, and ignorant as to seem very unpleasant indeed. But, in his favor, the same could probably be said of most major movie stars.

JAN
2008
28

Bargains Galore!

Manolo says, the Manolo reminds you that the Manolo’s bargain maven, Twistie, has been posting many exceptional deals for your consideration over at the Manolo’s Basement of the Bargains.

Christian Louboutin for The Gloomy Monday

Christian Louboutin Crystal Trimmed Sandals    Manolo Likes!  Click!

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

Louboutin Sandals+Crystals=Super Fantastic Happiness!

The Fabbies!

Manolo says, the Manolo pleased to announce, at long last, the arrival of the Fabbies, the first awards devoted entirely to the fashion blogs.

The Fabbies are the first-ever, blogger-organized awards to recognize the top Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle blogs from around the world.

Various prestigious blog awards have existed for some time, but they repeatedly snubbed the Lifestyle Blogosphere, deliberately ignoring the growing power, influence and prestige of this group of bloggers. So, in typical entrepreneurial style, three bloggers decided to take action: The Manolo of Manolo’s Shoe Blog, Tina Craig of Bag Snob, and Lesley Scott, Fashiontribes…with crucial assistance from Christina Jones of eBeautyDaily and Sam Francois of Papierdoll.

One of the best features of the Fabbies is that it’s a democracy. Rather than a few judges determining which blogs are “best” in 12 different categories (which showcase the impressive breadth and depth of the Lifestyle Blogosphere), it is the real experts – the blog readers, fans and supporters – that determine the winners with their votes, highlighting the deliciously freewheeling spirit of blogging.

There will be the big nomination ceremony this Thursday, which will be live-streamed.

But, while you are waiting, go now and preview the nominees, and perhaps cast your vote for your favorites.

JAN
2008
26

Project Runway 4, Episode Nine

Manolo says, after studiously avoiding the internets and the television, the Manolo was finally able to see the latest episode of the Project Runway without having heard any results. And now the Manolo can give you his impressions of this moderately amusing episode.

In short, this was yet another good challenge, to take the sack full of Levi’s jeans and jackets and turn them into the “iconic denim look”. Although, what is meant here by the word “iconic” the Manolo does not fully understand.

The truly iconic item appears only rarely, when design and culture achieve perfect symbiosis, and so to ask the designers to produce the iconic item is to ask them to compose the musical masterpiece of enduring importance and popularity. One might be able to maybe, possibly do this, but only if all of the stars are in perfect alignment.

And so it is with the clothing. Clothing designers produce hundreds and thousands of different designs each year, of which none ever become “iconic”. Indeed, if one is very lucky, one might produce one such item over the course of the entire lifetime of design.

Perhaps what was meant was “iconish”, meaning that the final piece was to be vaguely reminiscent of the truly iconic Levi’s 501s.

But, whatever. The Manolo quibbles, as the obvious intention was to produce the piece that could be creditably sold by the Levis Company, something much more achievable than “iconic”.

And so, after being given their instructions, the designers were off and lumbering across the dirty warehouse floor, grabbing up the denim and preparing for the challenge of making this blue-jeansy item.

(more…)

JAN
2008
26

Ayyyy!

Manolo says, ayyyy! Hugh Jackman celebrates Australia Day in the most super fantastic manner possible!