Raf Simons & Dr. Martens

via maisonchaplin

The Raf Simons f/w 09 collaboration with Dr. Martens wasn't overwhelmingly good, but I do have a kind of soft spot for these silver monk straps.

Hooves

Um. This is curious. Shoes that look like hooves. It is particularly intriguing how all these examples come at the same idea from different angles. The A.F. Vandevorst shoes (top) are delightfully hoof inspired, but the only thing that gives this effect is that the platform angles outwards rather than inwards. The iconic Maison Martin Margiela boots are not hoof inspired at all, rather just heeled versions of the traditional Japanese "Tabi" however the effect is heightened by the colour and finish on this particular pair. The piece by artist Iris Schieferstein is a literal interpretation and the ones featuring horse shoes are fetish wear for "pony play."

top to bottom:
A.F. Vandevorst f/w 09 via elle.com
Hoof diagram via chestofbooks
Maison Martin Margiela via aperfectguide
Iris Schieferstein & Fetish Boots via buzzfeed

Alexander Wang resort 10 Shoes

via taistoisoisbeau

"Oh, I'm Alexander Wang. Oh, I'm so freakin talented and everything I do is amazing. Blah, blah, blah." God damn it I love you.

Marc Jacobs f/w 09 Shoes

via ohshoes

When I first saw these Marc Jacobs f/w 09 genie style shoes my initial thoughts where something along the lines of: No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, etc. but seeing them with this outfit has made me rethink things. It never fails to surprise me how in the right context most anything can work.

Calvin Klein s/s 10 Shoes

via vogue.com

via style.com

I was drawn to these minimalist sandals by Calvin Klein Collection. They play with proportions very nicely with their thin, sometimes barely there, strapped uppers and their thick soles. They seem like futuristic beds for your feet, rather than what we would traditionally think of as a shoe.

Terence Koh x Converse 1Hundred(red)

via highsnobriety

The simplicity of Converse's Chuck Taylor All Star has made them astoundingly enduring & this is the simplest Chuck Taylor I have ever seen - and my favorite.

Comme des Garçons’ Dover Street Market in London

via youmightfindyourself

Good VM.

Capped Heels

I love a good sculptural heel and this effect of extending the heel up the back of the shoe is a great way of giving a simple heel a sculptural edge.

top to bottom:
Maison Martin Margiela via thefashionpolice
Jil Sander via style.com
Sophia Kokosalaki via shoelust

YSL fall 09 Campaign

via ysl.com

Yves Saint Laurent fall 09 campaign featuring Christy Turlington by Inez & Vinoodh.

The Straps of Spring 09

The stap trend that was quite prevalent in s/s 09 mens shoes had very mixed reviews. I don't know exactly how I feel about it, but I do think it is an interesting idea. One of the reasons is the different ways it is used have quite varied effects. I like its use at Louis Vuitton where it hides the construction of the shoe. It could be an oxford, or a derby, or a whole-cut, but this is neatly hidden away. In the YSL I like that the grosgrain is not limited to the strap, but also used along the topline. At Prada the rubber bands circle the whole shoe, and at Dries Van Noten a buckled leather strap covers a brogue which make them seem like an afterthought. This is not necessarily a bad thing - just interesting.

top to bottom:
Louis Vuitton via gq.com
Dries Van Noten via selectism
Yves Saint Laurent via ysl.com
Prada Campaign featuring Louis Simonon and Claude Simonon, shot by Hedi Slimane via prada.com

Prada Womens f/w 07 08

via momist

via frillr

Those Prada claw shaped heels were so simple and have been so influential. I needed a little tribute. I really like the idea of carrying on curves and matching up lines wherever possible. It creates a more purposeful visual flow in a shoe, and these are a perfect example.

Dior Homme f/w 08 09

via evilmonito

What a great little collection of shoes this was. And sleek. Sooo sleek.

Symmetry

via mr.hare

A beautiful image by Jenny van Sommers and Taylor Schwarz.