Tuesday, September 9, 2008

The Wonderful Wizadry of Cordwainers...Some Like It HAUTE!

NY fashion week is well underway, I'll do a fashion round up at the end of the week. So far, as usual, some good, some bad and some ugly.

The MTV VMAs happened over the weekend and the outfits were pretty much too boring to bother posting about.

So I found this fabulously sparkly little treat instead.

Dorothy's iconic ruby slippers seem to have slipped out of Kansas. The iconic shoes worn by Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz are being revamped by top designers including Jimmy Choo, Betsey Johnson and Sergio Rossi in anticipation for next year's 70th anniversary of the film.

Warner Bros and Swarovski invited 19 designers to envision what Dot would wear in the 21st century. No need to follow the yellow brick road to get your hands on a pair....they'll be auctioned off next year.

The shoes will be unveiled Sept. 4 at Saks Fifth Avenue to kick off fashion week, and they will be on display in Bryant Park during the runway shows. They will make additional appearances at the Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric AIDS Foundation's Kids for Kids Family Carnival in New York City's Park Avenue Armory Building Sept. 20, at the Miami Art Week/Art Basel Miami Beach from Dec. 4 to 8 and other public viewings in 2009.

Yeah man, viewings and appearances for SHOES. Now you know that's some serious shizzle.


Abaete embodies the spirit of its designer Russian/Danish/Brazilian Laura Poretzky, capturing french femininity, Brazilian sensuality and American simplicity. The designers were granted unlimited access to Swarovski Elements, and Laura, did not hold back when it came to decking out her shoes in bling. But while her replica is all blung out, it remains true to Dorothy's classy, ladylike charm. Love it.



One of my favourite shoegods, Giuseppe Zanotti created this fabulous pair of red satin ballet flats studded with Swarovski crystals and decorated with an off kilter rose. Elegant yet playful, a very realistic modern day version of what little Dot would wear today.




SDMF. These look like superhigh end sexy stripper shoes. Like the Park Avenue Princess taking a jolly jaunt on the wild side. Love them. Stuart Weitzman has been in the business for over 40 years and clearly knows a thing or two about shoes.



As much as I love Tibi's clothes with their quirky prints...these shoes. Hmm.
The goal of Tibi designer Amy Smilovic, was to make Dorothy updated and current. "Right now fashion is all about mixing feminine with tough," she says. "She's a crazy girl in her gingham, so what better to off-set that look than a pair of crocodile spats? The red looks super chic, and the Swarovski ties are a nod to the bows on the front of Dorothy's slippers."



Roger Vivier replaces the traditional bow of Dorothy's slippers with his instantly recognisable oversized buckle for an edgier feel.


Now this is what I'm talking about. Lordy these are some seriously fierce shoes. Entirely inappropriate for Dorothy but totally appropriate for the moneyed women who will be plonking down the major moolah at the auction. Made of red and black python with a caged toe and lined with Swarovski Elements, Jimmy Choo's modern day replica of the shoes stays true to its roots. "The Wizard of Oz is a true classic," says Fern Mallis, senior vice president of IMG Fashion, "it will never go out of style; and who doesn't want a pair of ruby slippers?"



Sergio Rossi's interpretation wraps around the foot to buckle at the ankle, giving off a sultry vibe i.e. expensive stripper chic.

Rossi's version is an over-the-top answer to the question, "If Dorothy were living in the 21st century, what would she wear?"



Ever creative in a way that makes her seem like she permanently employs the use of some good Herba Buena Betsey Johnson included custom blue cashmere socks to accompany her sexy stiletto platform shoes. With complete creative license, some designers even went so far as to add accessories to Dorothy's ruby slippers. Love her style though, crazy cartwheels on the catwalk and all.



If one celeb is milking her famous style to maximum effect its Gwen Stefani. This sexy chic stiletto by L.A.M.B. 'portrays Stefani's unique personality and the Dorothy within each woman'. Her slot among the group of top designers further solidifies Stefani's status in the fashion community. Come on, PR team, try a little harder with those quotes.



I'm not biased because I have an astoundingly similar pair of shoes in bright pink, but I LOVE these. These ruby red satin round toes created by Rossella Jardini, creative director of Moschino, feature a four-inch heel, and each shoe has half of a bow that becomes complete when feet are placed side by side. How haute is that?



The last offering in this haute bunch is by A.Testoni. This animal print heel brings some spice to the ruby slippers and the classic pump. It is offset by a feminine bow with a heart pendant. Cute.


(FYI - Cordwainer being the very posh word for people who make shoes).

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

ah you learn summink new each day..cordwainers abi, cant wait to use that,lol!
To be honest I liked the Roger V one the most(maybe one day eh) and i cud see it with a cute blue gingham dress, but mehn all the heels are killers, Dot wud have been cot by the witch coz she would not have gotten far running on them!

Interesting, in 2005 Faith(whoze shoes I can afford but HATE) made some really lovely ones, red sequeins and a nice bow, Office also had a pair and more recently KG, I saw it in the sale when i pasted tru london and its not unlike the Moschino's, well the heel anyway.

The MTVA was all about Russell Brand getting america mad at him, did u watch the opening? was pretty funny but some cringe worthy moments even i said haba Russell!

Kai me and my long comments! Allez!

Dropsofglamour said...

Wowza! I'm drooling at the sight of these wonderful designs. In the spirit of being decisive, i'd say my favourite pair are the Jimmy Choos. Men know what looks good on our feet...i wonder if that is some kinda fetish for them. lol! I wish there were more flats though.

Anonymous said...

U r uber-fab!!! u are doing such a fantastic job, love ur blog!!!!

TigerTem said...

@Cheetarah...haha. You go impress your people with your expanding vocab! The bow thing is so cute isn't it? Know what you mean about Faith but you know what, a little looking and you can find better and still affordable shoes. I'm soooo not a Russel Brand fan. How far can seeming permanently coked up take a man? Far enough evidently. Hmmm.


@dropsofglamour...shameless name dropping opportunity but when I worked in london, I met him! He was friends with my boss and even (sacrilege) made some shoes specifically for her 2 year old daughter.

@miss mo...thank you. First time commenter? Always appreciated!

Dropsofglamour said...

You met him! Carrie would be so jealous. That is one lucky 2 year old.

As for Russell Brand...the guy just irritates me. I saw him like 7years ago skulking around camden market when he was all goth. The brits build up some really odd people to be celebs! It baffles me.

Anonymous said...

Whud u meet? Jimmy choo? and he made shoes for whoo?!!!!

I seem to be in the minority of pepaw who think Russsell Brand is funny! Yeah Brits have a stupid way of making peo celebs, but you gotta love a confirmed idiot who is making money outta of his idiocy,lol! I can howeva only take him in small doses.

TigerTem said...

@dropsofglamour...I think Carrie would have been jealous of the shoes too. Know what you mean about the odd choice of celebs in Britain. Its almost like they choose the most messed up people so they can sit and watch in glee as they inevitably fall apart.

@Cheetarah...minority? You're on your own!

@liquorice..good point. Wonder why.