When it comes to shoes, many of us become extremely picky. The right fit has to acompany the right style. The right color has to go with the right fabric. The level of comfort must also go with the style you are trying to achieve. Whether or not we can afford designer shoes, many of us familiarize ourselves with names like Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin and Tod's. These names are the trademark to remarkable style and exquisite presence. But in the midst of picking out the best shoes, do we forget about labels we rarely ever hear? When buying shoes, most of us want a name we are familiar with, not a brand that is forgotten, even if it sits on the shelves labeled 'New Arrivals' in the Neiman Marcus shoe department. Here are a list of some very prominant designers in the field of fashion footwear that you may or may not have heard of. This list is intended to open your taste beyond the logo-obsessed culture that we live in.
Giuseppe Zanotti Design is by far my favorite shoe designer. His creations include exotic patterns, brazen gold accents, dangerously steep lengths, bead and metal work, fine leather and gems as a finishing touch to his masterful art pieces. Giuseppe Zanotti began his shoe designs in 1994 and has since then been selling luxurious women's shoes worldwide. Many celebrities have been spotted wearing his creations from charity functions to the red carpet. Although not considered moderately priced, if taken care of, these shoes can last a lifetime and can serve as a piece of history within your closet and remain an original design years after their production date.
Only a few years ago, Brian Atwood transformed from an FIT graduate into a master of shoe design. Using only the finest materials, Brian Atwood creates his shoes to improve the look and forcefully create the appearance of longer legs. His designs, much like Choo and Blahnik, incorporates a steady and classic base structure for high heels while using unique and sexy shapes with a variety of different materials. His innovative techniques form a never-before-seen combination of style, function, sex appeal and luxury.
Known for it's overt feminine image, Moschino is often forgotten when in search for heels. With a hint of early 20th Century women's shoe design, Franco Moschino formulated an old-meets-new design approach to women's fashion. His designs toy with velvets and dark-colored as well as brightly-colored leather along with other materials to give the perfect accent to any feminine look. His creations, although sleek and sexy, are more fun and silly. After Moschino's death in 1994, his legacy continues to serve millions of women worldwide, offering his slightly-odd combinations of ideas and materials in a well-packaged piece that says, "Fashion design is being mocked and fresh ideas should be silly and should resemble an important part of pop culture history".
Holly Dunlap, creator of Hollywould shoes, is the epitomy of "Hollywood". Dunlap uses light feminine touches to her designs, giving each creation their own star in the Shoe Fashion Walk of Fame. From espadrilles to light metallic straps, Hollywould shoes are an excellent addition to a classic American image. Her dream was to create shoes that would emanate Hollywould Galmour and glitz, all while staying within the borders of comfort and stylishly flirty designs.
Far more classic than any other design team in the world, Louis Vuitton focuses on the details of stitching, stacked heels and shoe shape. When Marc Jacobs became the Creative Director of the French brand, he focused on the traditions of the Vuitton legacy, maintaining an eye on detailing and superb quality with his own twist of a mod look of the sixties and a wide array of colors to heighten the senses. Although Louis Vuitton is often a brand that is well known for having top-of-the-line luggage, handbags and accessories, they have an immensely sharp and classy collection of footwear that will no doubt feature a look that will remind the public that "classic style never fades".
Rene Caovilla is the essence of high end shoe design that is synonymous with evening couture and delicate and elegant design. His designs feature a colorful presence, using gems and hardwear with light fabrics, usually suede and silks. With the fine background of shoemaking from his father, Edoardo Caovilla, Rene took over the family company in the fifties, bringing Parisian wearable artforms onto the catwalk aside Valentino and Christian Dior. His creations are intended to embellish the foot with rich materials, bringing anyone's attention to the accessories of any evening ensemble.
Giuseppe Zanotti Design is by far my favorite shoe designer. His creations include exotic patterns, brazen gold accents, dangerously steep lengths, bead and metal work, fine leather and gems as a finishing touch to his masterful art pieces. Giuseppe Zanotti began his shoe designs in 1994 and has since then been selling luxurious women's shoes worldwide. Many celebrities have been spotted wearing his creations from charity functions to the red carpet. Although not considered moderately priced, if taken care of, these shoes can last a lifetime and can serve as a piece of history within your closet and remain an original design years after their production date.
Only a few years ago, Brian Atwood transformed from an FIT graduate into a master of shoe design. Using only the finest materials, Brian Atwood creates his shoes to improve the look and forcefully create the appearance of longer legs. His designs, much like Choo and Blahnik, incorporates a steady and classic base structure for high heels while using unique and sexy shapes with a variety of different materials. His innovative techniques form a never-before-seen combination of style, function, sex appeal and luxury.
Known for it's overt feminine image, Moschino is often forgotten when in search for heels. With a hint of early 20th Century women's shoe design, Franco Moschino formulated an old-meets-new design approach to women's fashion. His designs toy with velvets and dark-colored as well as brightly-colored leather along with other materials to give the perfect accent to any feminine look. His creations, although sleek and sexy, are more fun and silly. After Moschino's death in 1994, his legacy continues to serve millions of women worldwide, offering his slightly-odd combinations of ideas and materials in a well-packaged piece that says, "Fashion design is being mocked and fresh ideas should be silly and should resemble an important part of pop culture history".
Holly Dunlap, creator of Hollywould shoes, is the epitomy of "Hollywood". Dunlap uses light feminine touches to her designs, giving each creation their own star in the Shoe Fashion Walk of Fame. From espadrilles to light metallic straps, Hollywould shoes are an excellent addition to a classic American image. Her dream was to create shoes that would emanate Hollywould Galmour and glitz, all while staying within the borders of comfort and stylishly flirty designs.
Far more classic than any other design team in the world, Louis Vuitton focuses on the details of stitching, stacked heels and shoe shape. When Marc Jacobs became the Creative Director of the French brand, he focused on the traditions of the Vuitton legacy, maintaining an eye on detailing and superb quality with his own twist of a mod look of the sixties and a wide array of colors to heighten the senses. Although Louis Vuitton is often a brand that is well known for having top-of-the-line luggage, handbags and accessories, they have an immensely sharp and classy collection of footwear that will no doubt feature a look that will remind the public that "classic style never fades".
Rene Caovilla is the essence of high end shoe design that is synonymous with evening couture and delicate and elegant design. His designs feature a colorful presence, using gems and hardwear with light fabrics, usually suede and silks. With the fine background of shoemaking from his father, Edoardo Caovilla, Rene took over the family company in the fifties, bringing Parisian wearable artforms onto the catwalk aside Valentino and Christian Dior. His creations are intended to embellish the foot with rich materials, bringing anyone's attention to the accessories of any evening ensemble.
2 comments:
Ken,
Besides being entertaining and ever so blunt, your writings are beautiful. I knew you liked fashion, but you really do "get" fashion. I feel like people either get it, study it enough to know what looks right on who (Rachel Zoe and the likes) or we've got the people who I feel you made this blog for-someone who is looking for an identity within their appearance and attire. I am so impressed by your writings! I wish I had connections at a Vogue, In Style, or Vanity Fair, because you embody what fashion should be but sadly often lacks. Are you an English major/going on to fashion school (come with me to FIDM in LA!)? Again, I am simply blown away by what you have here, this is brilliant work. Thank you for sharing it with me, this link is now permanantly in my favorites! :)
There is no doubt that the ever growing cult of celebrity in both the UK and here in the US has led to more people wanting to own designer shoes.
Hardly a week goes by without some women's magazine calling for its readers to get shoes like Kylie or like Kate Moss.
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