Saturday, May 24, 2008

What the Heel?

If you read my previous article on Chanel's show in Miami, you would have noticed the gun shaped shoe in the first picture! Here is a closer look at that pair of heels! I don't quite like it!


Well, at least the Chanel shoes gave me the idea for this little article! You see, shoes are in abundance. Ladies love their shoes and designers are always coming up with fabulous new shoes to match that every outfit but along with those spectacular art comes the slightly wackier side of the heels. As such, today, we shall have a look at shoes that makes you go, "What the heel?" Yes, I am ONLY exploring the wackier heels category. There are more shoes that just gets you scratching but that will be for another time. So, let's start with platform shoes and wedges! The first one is from Alessandro Dell 'Acqua. To me, it looks like ocean liner from Barbie in Titanic. The pink is horrendous and I have a feeling that it weighs as much as a Titanic. Oh yeah, so avoid the shoes when you go on a cruise or to the beach. It sure will drown you.

The next one is kinda expected especially when its from Alexander Mcqueen! I mean, you can only expect over the top drama from Alexander Mcqueen. The shoes look like they are meant to be placed in the showcase at the Ancient Civilisation Museum or something. Its definitely a killer to walk in them. And do you know what else it reminds me of? The geisha shoes in Memoirs of a Geisha, the scene where Ziyi Zhang danced on the stage! Somehow the shoes give me that oriental vibe.
Now, this Giuseppe Zanotti heels are for the lady architects as this shoe is known as the architectural shoe. Its quite nice for the fact that is clean lines and a nice beige color. However, I wonder if there is any support for the wearer! I wonder...
Red thigh high platform shoes are not for the everyday women. It is for that superheroine, maybe Wonder Woman's classmate? And the designer remains a mystery too...hmm...Bare beauty. I do watch that show on Arts Central at times and I wonder if the next pair of shoes should be featured in it. After all, its a bare naked women at the heels. Then again, I think not since it doesn't quite fall into the category of beauty. More like barely there!
And the next few pictures will show you shoes by Prada. The first one I like. The diamonds on the heels. Fabulous! Reminds me of Louboutin! The rest of the shoes that you are about to see, I have no idea why they are created, especially the last one. The grotesque purple flower heels which at first, I thought was heel stuck in dog-poo, is totally horrendous. The others are still bearable or perhaps, even wearable! What do you think?



The following few are from Miu Miu. The Second one, the baby blue diamante heels are quite nice actually, but it takes some time to get used to it. Although, I think, if you were to look at it even longer, you might just find it a little bit too gawdy. The tea cup heels, on the other hand, are pretty cute. It looks like its from some fairy tale! Its a fantasy shoe! Nice to look at but maybe not too practical to wear. The rest of the shoes, well, I just don't know what's happening with them.


Christian Dior, what do you first think of? Sophistication and elegance? Perhaps, until you look at this slingback. As a whole, it looks classy enough but the heels are just weird. Yes, they do look lavish and luxurios but I just don't get the heels at all. I am not sure if Marc Jacobs was drunk when he got this shoe into production or it simply is just a reject cause isn't the heel attached at the wrong place?
While Marc Jacobs isn't sure where to place the heels, I wonder if the designer for the next shoe, whoever he or she is, forgot to place the soles. Hmmm...
Since everyone seems to be making mistakes with heels, Antonio Berardi thought that he can make no mistake when the shoes just don't have heels! Well, think again Antonio! Perhaps, he wanted ladies to have that feeling of walking on air in his shoes! Apparently, Victoria Beckham ordered a pair for herself! She doesn't need this shoes to be walking on air. With that stick figure, I am sure she can just flies off anytime she wants!
So, you have seen a few weird and a couple of nice heeled shoes. Which do you prefer or do you have anything else to add to this selection? By the way, some of the pictures are from Fashion Police. You can find their website under links!

Monday, May 19, 2008

Chanel Cruising

Who would ever think of Chanel when we mention Miami? Well, now I do. It seems that Karl Lagerfeld and his Chanel studio cruised to Miami Beach on Thursday for a perfect poolside production.

The production is definitely not something that you would expect. Everyone will think of summer chiffon and swimsuits, bikinis and sundresses when we talk about the Miami beach. However, that was not the case for this show as inspirations ranged from Brian Jones, the Rolling Stone guitarist who died at 27, to Coco Chanel's creations for Alain Resnais' 1960 film, "Last Year at Marienbad." Obviously, there were plenty of great accessories, like this heart-shaped handbag that incorporates the double-C logo, bold cuff and shoes with gun heels, worn with HotPants.

Oh, by the way, those gun shoes will be released in 2009. Yes, I know, its very costume-y, slightly dramatic and slightly james bond-ish. (pun intended) I am not so thrilled with those shoes and I cannot believe that they are actually releasing them! As in, selling them! I will definitely NOT wear them even if I am a lady. Maybe, for costume parties?

The pool shouts Chanel all over with a not-bad looking lifeguard perched above the Raleigh pool, double-C logoed beach balls and life preservers scattered throughout the venue! And the runway? Its like a journey of a cruise ship on the big ocean, meandering from left to right and come back a full circle!



Nonetheless, the show is quite spectacular with really cute syncronised swimming team spelling out Chanel! Its like the cheersquad in the pool! Kinda cute, actually! Have a look at some of the collections. Some are classy, some are indie-rock-y, some are predictable and some are just stunnin!




Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Diamonds aren't just a girl's best friend!

Yup! Diamonds are now a man's best friend too! Well, remember the Emporio Armani Diamonds, a fragrance by Giorgio Armani , which was fronted by Beyonce Knowles. Yes, you probably watched the commercial where Ms Knowles break out in a cabaret number that is simply dazzling!



And now, to front the men's diamond fragrance will be actor, Josh Hartnett! Hmm... I wonder how is the commercial going to be like. Will Hartnett break out in a broadway number too? Hehe! That will be cute!

Friday, May 9, 2008

Puma loosing stamina



The German sports goods maker Puma AG has reported first-quarter net earnings below analysts' estimates on Wednesday, mainly due to its weak U.S. business, but it confirmed its full-year outlook.


However, Puma still expects sales to rise by a single-digit percentage rate this year on a currency-adjusted basis, it said on its Web site.But the world's third-largest sportswear maker said brand investments could affect its 2008 operating margin. "In a volatile market environment it is difficult to outline the final impact on profitability," Puma said.
Puma said first-quarter net earnings fell to 90.1 million euros from 96.6 million a year earlier and below a Reuters analyst poll average estimate of 97 million.
Net sales rose 6.6 percent to 673.3 million euros, slightly below estimates.

Puma shares were seen starting trading 1.3 percent lower, according to pre-market data from brokers by 0626 GMT, with the broader German market seen opening up 0.5 percent.
Gucci owner PPR , the French fashion-to-furniture retailer that owns about 67 percent of Puma, last month suffered a steeper-than-forecast fall in first-quarter sales, signaling a slowdown in consumer spending was hitting luxury goods.
The French retailer said then that Puma's first-quarter sales fell in the Americas due to weak U.S. mall-based business while footwear growth was dragged down by the U.S. economic slowdown.
A crisis at U.S. sports retailer Foot Locker has hurt sports retailers such as Nike and German rival Adidas . In the fourth quarter of last year, Foot Locker shut stores, cancelled existing orders and issued no new orders.
Still, Adidas on Tuesday reported first-quarter profit rose by nearly a third, despite another weak quarter for its Reebok brand in the United States

Cavalli Clubs

Roberto Cavalli, the Italian designer who is pretty much synonymous with the word, 'party' has brought his forte of throwing extravagant and fabulous parties to a whole new level. In fact, he is turning his knack for event organising into another business venture in the form of Cavalli Clubs. And it ain't just rumours, people! Plans are already underway with his first club scheduled to open in Dubai this October. And expect nothing short of extravagant, it is going to be uber-glamorous with red carpet, gorgeous girls at the door welcoming guests and interior that boasts "modern and Renaissance influences, the past and the future, and especially a Tuscan touch in the kitchen," he explains. And it ain't just a one-off thing, mind you. Its opening will also coincide with a whole new block of luxury residences Cavalli is opening in Dubai. Of course, after which, London, Milan and Miami too will have Cavalli Clubs being part of them. But, one should not worry about the venture going really large-scale cause Cavalli promised and is determined that every venue should retain his strong signature! "Everything will be Cavalli, from the furniture down to the ice holder and the dishes," the designer told WWD.

Hmm...talk about a wholesome experience!

Monday, May 5, 2008

GG in NY

Gucci's latest and newest store has just opened up its doors right in the heart of Manhattan, down at 5th Avenue of the Trump Towers. Its just no ordinary store, it is definitely a grand architectural endeavour. Celebrating its opening, Creative Director of Gucci, Frida Giannini has designed a collection to be sold exclusively through the Manhattan branch. Giannini has taken Gucci's iconic webbing and distinctive GG pattern canvas and sort of reinvented them to incorporate the 'Gucci ♥ NY' stamp. All the proceeds from the 'Gucci ♥ NY' collection will go towards the care and maitenance of the playgrounds in Central Park. So, when you do hit on to Manhattan. don't foget to get yourself a souvenir that is not only designer, but 100% New Yorker!

Saturday, May 3, 2008

LV on TV

Louis Vuitton is a name that everybody knows! Even those who cannot even afford a piece of paper from them! It is so popular and famous that the most number of imitation goods are those of Louis Vuitton. But hey, imitation is a form of flattery. If they can't afford it, they fake it! Haha! Louis is so well-known that I do not even see the reason behind them having a full 90 seconds TV commercial!

Nonetheless, it is definitely something to check out. After all, this particular commercial is part of Louis high-profile press campaign featuring celebrities like Mikhail Gorbachev and Catherine Deneuve to embody the idea of travel as a personal journey! However, do not expect high profile faces in the commercial nor instantly identifiable settings. Only expect a perfectly composed and haunting guitar tune by Gustavo Santaolla, who composed award winning scores for movies like, Babel and Brokeback Mountain.

Friday, May 2, 2008

Swimwear

I think the heatwave is here to hit our tropical island of Singapore. Of course, there is that occasion short but intense showers which seems to just pop out of nowhere. Nonetheless, the heat is such a killer! The only thing that I want to do in this hot and humid weather, is to just shower or swim! I don't care if it is in the chlorine-filled swimming pool or our man made beaches! I just need to be immersed in water. Besides, summer is the time to hit the beach! In order to help you look fabulous while hitting the beach, here are a couple of hot creations! Yummy! Hehe!

Dolce & Gabbana
DSQUARED2
Emporio Armani
Alexander Mcqueen
Chanel
Etro
Gucci
Bottega Veneta

Flower Summer

Summer is the time when the flowers are in full bloom and they make such a fabulous sight. Flowers are used everywhere from our homes to bridal bouquets or that little rose to say, 'I am sorry!' Thus, flower is definitely a choice of inspiration for many designers every summer. This summer, it is no exception. It has always been a trend during summer to spot a flower motif and more flowers are to be expected this summer. And no, flowers are just not limited for the ladies! Guys, its about time you are decked in flowers. Having said that, I am so gonna be sure that some fashionably challenged men will wear all those Hawaiian shirts that USED to be a hit amongst tourists! Oh, how I dread that sight! But anyway, have a look at all these creations! Flowers are no longer those auntie-prints! (by the way, Giordano has launched a new line called, "Auntie Print!" And no, I am not kidding! Go check it out! )

John Galliano


Moschino


Prada
Dries Van Noten

Dolce & Gabbana

Duckie Brown

Etro

Allesandro Dell'Acqua

Alexander Mcqueen

Balenciaga

Carolina Herrera

D&G


Gucci