Eamz 2 Eames

Here I am again with another comparison. Now we all know, from a previous post, about United Nude. Some of you probably knew before me. They directly sampled the foot Charles Eames used in many of his designs, for the heel of their shoe. So meet the Eamz Booty. Funny something designed 1956 is still so fashion forward. I see Emily from The Devil Wears Prada wearing them to the office and running some ridiculous errand for Miranda. On Sale! $195.00 @Zappos Check the reviews for comfort and durability on this one.






Now, this is the Lounge 1956, one of the pieces that Eames incorporated the base that inspired United Nude Eamz line. Miranda, as editor of the Vogue-like, "Runway Magazine" would own classic leather and plywood chair as she edits "The Book" while lounging. BTW 2007 marks the 100 birthday of the designer/architect/engineer. How fitting this chair can fetch hefty prices, from a man who got dismissed from University for thinking too modern. The Library of Congress has an online exhibition of his and wife Ray's work. One of my favorite magazines, Wallpaper Magazine, is celebrating in this months issue. Check it all...

Michael Kors and My sister

I just recently discovered my sister and share a love and passion for Nordstrom Rack. Both of us, in different cities, around the same time acquired a fresh pair of Michael Kors shoes for around $30 . We Rule.

Anywho'... That got me thinking about Michael Kors' appeal, aside from being the snippy judge on Project Runway. I mean, He's not very innovative. He doesn't take many chances. But what he does come out with classic designs that add just enough trend to be contemporary but not disposable. And he does it well. Par example:



Here's a winner, Geneva. The platform very chic and the neutral tone gives it a classic look. The gold details are just enough for grown-up edge but not over the top. Preppy to rocker to edgy 40's can all work. $398.95 @Zappos







Everyone this is Sol. Sol meet everyone. It winks at boho chic, but does it with a sophisticated platform heel give it wardrobe flexibility. And the ace in the hole - woven metallic which are very big this season. Jeans or a tailored shorts suit would bring this out. $289.00 on Sale!@Zappos







It's Mai Tai. And it's got the right tends put together in a sleek and subtle way. Simple criss-cross vamp and ankle strap. Gold buckle along with with the cork wedge and tropical platform makes it very now, yet sophisticated and fun. $265.00 on Sale!@Zappos

The point is Michael Kors, trend = good design, not disposable design. In the immortal words of Notorious B.I.G. If ya don't know. Now ya know.

Shoes to Furniture

The other day I commented on how a shoe reminds me of a Mies van der Rohe chair.

My man said. "Why not do some comparisons - shoes to furniture." Right. So here goes.

When I saw Betsey Johnson - Fanci, Aside from the obvious over-the-top departure and very clean lines, the 40's glamour oozes. A prop chaise for a burlesque dancer to make an entrance. Maybe Rita Hayworth's smoking chaise. Back when women and men dressed their parts.

What would better suit the glamour shoe? This 40's inspired Panaché Sofa by Thomasville. See the resemblance? Curvaceous, finished, and formal. In a Bogart film, this sofa would have Bacall's fox coat draped over it the edge. They work so well together, I want them both. But, I might have to dream a little longer for the sofa.

Music for Shoe Shopping: These Boots Are Made For Walking

I know, I mentioned this point in a previous post. Okay the one before this. But this subject should be reviewed further. I love this song. Nancy Sinatra was puttin' it down' in this song. It's the subtle sexuality and delivery that gives the song such personality. The instrumentatiom that makes it move. It swings. She sounds like she lived this song over and over and over again. When she got with the songwriter Lee Hazelwood to record it, you could feel it. Okay boot's start walkin'.





Enter Jessica Simpson. Hasn't even really lived yet, relies heavily on her parents for her career, spoiled, and it showed in the performance. Weak, too breathy, the lyric changes horrible, no emotion. (tell us how you really feel?) I'm not against covers. Marilyn Mason covered Eurhymics-Sweet Dreams and Soft Cell-Tainted Love, Dwele covered Bobby Caldwell-Open Your Eyes. I dig all of them. If you can't do it better than the original, leave it. I 'll take the original. Get you going in the morning, out and about, with some grown-up edge. But what do you think? Both are here, you be the judge.

Ballet Inspiration

As I was browsing the the pages of everybody's fave online shoe stop, Zappos. Something dawned on me while perusing the ballet flats. One, that it's so great that flats are totally back. I mean, who doesn't want to be like Audrey Hepburn at the beatnik club in Funny Face or LuLu in To Sir With Love doing the cool jerk? Second, That of these flats some designers are better incorporating the ballet slipper aesthetic within the shoe. (Everybody sing) Fame... I'm gonna live for-e-e-ver. I digress. So if you want to live you MET fantasies of 20 years, today or just have a thing for spring. Check these stand-outs. Let's talk about the slipper inspired shoes first. These are straight out of a Degas painting. Except for the creepy stalker aspect.

Geox - D Kyra 1 is does a pretty good job with it's rubber sole and ballet pink leather upper. The toe and heel turned up shape is reminiscent of clogs. Perfect for dodging those springtime cloudbursts giving me fits right about now. $138.95










I'd definitely go there with Chinese Laundry-Harp. It's ruched (is that a word?) satin is so cute. But they added some edge with the suede patch at the heel. (so sock like) Break out the springtime leg warmers and skinny jeans. She's a man-i-ac man-i-ac I know (I promise, no more 80s pop culture) But really, they come in a lot of colors, you can put them with anything playful. That darling dress from Plasticland might just do the trick. $62.95








A little less playful, but still fun is Shellys London version aptly named Coco for the apparent Chanel inspiration. It means business. Love the black and cream quilting, very Charlotte York at the gallery. Maybe a dress from Allison Sharpe Designs, the Jackie O rox. And the price, $55.95 be still my beating heart.










Have you noticed the Jessica Simpson line. Aside her inspo-pop roots with a porn star moniker, and her hideously awful rendition of Nancy Sinatra's ultimate shoeblogr anthem These Boot's Are Made For Walking; she puts out a nice pair of boots..uhh.. made for walking. No, but seriously, her brand has style. Check the Jessica Simpson - Like. I know it's a wedge, but the flat left me well.. a little flat. I love the metallic pink. (Awesome) The wedge is sleek and it's $82.95. She should definitely stick to shoes and producer's tunes.





Want something more summer-y? Check out Jessica Bennett.- Farr, caught somewhere between an espadrille, a sandal and an organic ballet slipper, And the color metallic blue. Yum. 60s mod party dress anyone? They look like alpargates akin to the espadrille worn in Spain, France and Latin America. $125.95










Just as summer-y is Hollywould-11062 K, It's cute, it's sunny and fresh. Dresses, dresses, and more dresses and shorts and pencil skirts and boho skirts etc... the colors khaki/pink gigi, would make it a staple for me. But at the price they better feel like sneakers. If they don' t, they'll go straight back. $298.95.

A Girl Can Dream: United N‏ude-Eamz Ankle 2

Okay Shoejunkies. While I was collecting all pertinent shoe data, I came cross this line at the Micheal Jordan of online shoe retailers, Zappos. I have this thing for mid-century modern design. So I was floored when I came across United Nude. There designs are based on the iconic ideas of mid-century designers like Mies van der Rohe and Charles and Ray Eames. Brilliant concept. Brilliant shoes. I was a little behind the radar on this one, they've been around since 2003. But If there is a dream shoe, dream company, it would be United Nude. The Eamz Ankle 2 put together one of my favorite iconic foot the Eames lounge chair with a gorgeous well constructed walkable shoe. Also in black, theres a retro-modern feel in the clean lines and molded cushioned foot bed. The strap across the vamp is thin enough to be sexy, thick enough to functional. I love good design and the heel is like your floating above it all. The price? On sale for $173.00 @Zappos. More info and styles in this interview w/ Galahad Clarke - head shoemaker of United Nude.

Betsey Johnson - Kye

Okay Ladies, we all know sometimes you got to tart it up. And Kye by Betsey Johnson fits the bill. In fact, Betsey's been tarting it up for decades. And this shoe is a show stopper. But it is an aquired taste. You have to get in touch with your inner magpies. Pink and black sequins in just the start, the peeptoe, the platform, the pink w/black lace heel. For anyone else that would do it. Not Betsey. We still have the leopard sole and lining. Yummy for me. And it's on sale @Zappos for $150.00. Definately not for the faint of heart.