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).