IT'S been said and done. Yesterday they said shoes were the new accessories. Today, the fashion gods decreed that the silly shoe season is over and we're back to bags. Tomorrow, we're walking down the same shoe path again.
Who cares, right, as long as you've got the right pair to suit your garb? Here are a few options to tickle your fancy. Surely, one of them has to be the right fit, no?
Flat fad
Ballet flats have been in fashion forever. You may want to be picky and add a strap and call them Mary Janes, or give a dash of weight and dub them pumps. Whatever the name, if the shoe fits, as they say, wear it.
Dubbed the Queen of Ballet Flats, Jane Winkworth, founder and designer of French Sole, has come up with every conceivable design in the book for ballet shoes, and she's still cooking up new creations.
Having started as a trained restorer and painter of fine art and porcelain, she has worked for some of the world's most influential collectors including London's Victoria and Albert Museum.
It was in 1989 that she figured a market for ballet flats would burgeon, and this naturally led to her unique brand, French Sole.
Winkworth has come up with an exclusive Midnight AW12 Collection for the French Sole Suria KLCC store, adhering to the customers' favourite styles. The collection features an array of rich, dark tones, sultry velvets, animal prints, metallics and plenty of sparkle for the coming festive season.
The classic Henrietta comes in a choice of shades of glittering mesh so that you can easily make the transition from day to night. Metallic trimming sets off the glimmering tones and complements most outfits.
The Penelope wedges are just the right height to dance the night away. Elegant with a wedged heel, pointed toe yet still comfortable, they cater for those who prefer a bit of height to their shoes.
Available at French Sole at Suria KLCC.
Walk in plastic
Who would have thought that the Brazilians would come up with plastic shoes? That they did, back in the 70s, inspired by fishermen in the South of France, apparently.
Melissa Shoes are carved with creativity pioneered by the same who came up with jelly shoe technology. The largest plastic shoe company in the world, Melissa shoes is recognised in the industry for injected thermoplastics.
Since it began, over 20 million pairs of Melissa shoes have been produced in over 80 countries such as Brazil, the United States, Australia, Japan, Indonesia and now, Malaysia.
The eco-friendly company believes that plastic is the best medium to communicate technology and renewal. Its patented technology known as Melflex is a malleable plastic that moulds easily to one's feet, breathes well, hyallergenic, odourless and natural.
Melissa shoes are claimed to have superior comfort and high definition texture whereby wedges and heels are light, strong and durable with insole technology using canvas, velvet or soft PVC for maximum comfort.
The brand has also embarked on high profile collaborations with trend-setting designers such as Vivienne Westwood, seen in the Anglomania brand exclusively for Melissa. Another notable collaboration is with Zaha Hadid, an award-winning Iranian architect who transformed building flowing lines into shoe art. His work is seen in the book Fifty Shoes That Changed The World.
Other top designers include Jean Paul Gaultier, Jason Wu and Gareth Pugh.
Some of the celebrities spotted with Melissaa include Carrie Underwood with her grey Ultragirl Night Sky Flats; Katie Holmes in black Anglomania Mary-Janes and Katy Perry in salmon-coloured lady Dragon sling-backs.
Available at the newly opened Melissa Shoes concept store at 1 Utama in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Scent of sophitication
Fall/winter is upon us and the theme for local shoe brand Nose this season is Sophisticated Edgy.
Think year end parties and fashionable outings with friends. The collection's organic, graphic quality is inspired by contrasting elements of liquid and structure, interplayed on muted surfaces and textures.
Colourful heels are seen in designs that are bold yet elegant such as the T-strap carved platform and sculptural wedge sandal.
The marbleized print makes its presence felt as seen in a kaleidoscope print feature heel and an organic motif tied to enamel work on a wedge heel.
Killer heels come embellished with a spike-back revealing a touch of punk. The conventional is given a leg up with bold, shiny bits as gold and glittering sequins dressed feminine heels.
Key colours are blood red, mystique black, violet, mint, shades of blue, mustard, fuschia, olive green, orange and earth tone.
The key looks come in colour combos, rock-studded, ankle straps, T-straps, killer stiletto heels, ankle boots, acrylic or structured wedges and dandy pump.
Expect plenty of suede, matte surfaced faux nappa, hints of knits, rock-studs, leather-like finish faux nappa and faux fur.
There are also bags seen in oversized shapes from the men's world. A faux lambskin slide-snapoversize envelope clutch and a top handle turnlock convertible boston bag sets the tone for women's bags for the current Nose collection.
Available at Nose outlets in Malaysia.
