New Balance f/w 10 M1400

via freshnessmag

A while ago I saw a runway show (can't remember which one) that featured fairly even-coloured grey retro performance-looking sneakers. I've had a bit of a thing for them ever since.

Alexander Wang Scary Shoes

via net-a-porter

I think Alexander Wang has been watching some horror movies. His take on this fur and fringing trend is giving me serious flashbacks to The Ring. Even those lovely loafers look scary to me now. Excuse me while I lock all my doors and smash up my TV.

Gucci Oxfords

via matches

Truly, madly, deeply in love with the colour of these toe-cap oxfords by Gucci (aside from the perfect last shape and edging.) I had an old second-hand pair of shoes that were similar, but a bit more olive, and felt like a character from a Dickens novel when I wore them with other shades of olive-brown and grey.

Charles Anastase vs. Jessica Simpson

via jessicasimpsoncollection

Charles Anastase s/s 09

I was quite impressed (as were MANY others) by the 'Dany' platforms by Jessica Simpson (top.) Well I hadn't seen the footwear from Charles Anastase s/s 09 which they were copied from. As usual the originals have nicer details and a lot more character but one thing that I definitely prefer about the knock-offs is the wood grain at the toe of the platform. Not surprisingly, considering the popularity of Simpson's version, Jeffrey Campbell has released a copy of the copy.

Behind the Scenes at Edward Green

Mad Skills. edwardgreen.com

Common Projects f/w 10

via highsnobiety

I like seeing what Common Projects does with their range each season. Again they have re-released many of their old styles in new and interesting finishes, and this season they have also released some rather impressive boots.

The Viridi-Anne Back-Laced Shoes

via komakinoshop

Such a brilliantly simple idea. I imagine that I would feel compelled to walk backwards in them.

Yves Saint Laurent Tassel Suede Oxfords

via net-a-porter

Burgundy suede and tassels. A match made in shoe heaven. The little crosses around the toe cap and tongue, which are cut-out rather than stitched, are a nice touch.

Dries Van Noten s/s 11 Boots

via hypebeast

The Dries Van Noten show is typical of what most of this season has looked like to me. A beautiful collection with some very nice but rather boring footwear. The collections have all been perfectly wearable, and a perfect example are these perfect boots. I was hoping for a little more excitement than this. The frustrating thing is that it can be difficult to find good images of a lot of the footwear in new season shows, and I'm sure there will be some absolute gems, but for now perfect will have to do.

Stella McCartney f/w 09 Thigh-high Boots

via net-a-porter, elle.com & style.com

What drew me to these boots (aside from the amazing perforations and metal hell & toe) is how full-on and yet normal they are. Usually thigh high boots are overly sexy, to the point where people would be rather hesitant to wear them, but because these synthetic leather boots are so tight they almost have the look of leggings which are commonplace these days. Boots like this - when the top is covered - also have the unique quality of not having any visual cut-off point, unifying the leg and the foot.

While rsearching these I found a great comment/essay by an anonymous boot fetishist on the Hapsical blog that I want to share here:

My own theory about Boots as Women’s fashion is that Boots are likely to be worn during Progressive periods. Women choose to wear Boots as a symbol of Power. They are, after all, the footwear of choice for dominatrixes and superheroines.

In the early part of the twentieth century, Boots went out of fashion more or less as soon as Prohibition started. The style didn’t come back into popularity until the very Progressive sixties.

As a life-long Boot fetishist, I have also studied the history of the ThighBoot ( as well as the Over Knee Boot ) as Women’s fashion. The first examples were found in the early sixties at the Paris fashion shows. These were derided as ‘sewer boots’ by some, but obviously made a huge impression on others. These included the wardrobe designer Michael Whittaker of the TV series ‘The Avengers’, in which Honor Blackman, as Cathy Gale, appeared in truly knee-high Black Leather Boots. As well as a full black leather outfit to match. For the year 1963, this was pretty shocking television. In February of 1964, Blackman and Patrick Macnee ( John Steed ) would release the hit single 'Kinky Boots'. KB mentioned every possible style of women's boot, including Thigh-highs.

In the U.S., the Thigh-high style really took off in 1965, some say as a result of the success of the then blockbuster film ‘Dr. Zhivago’. From the second half of the sixties and especially throughout the seventies, ThighBoots ( even Thigh-high Frye Boots ) were a must-have in a Woman’s footwear collection. Many of the era’s actresses, including Faye Dunaway, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jane Fonda, Dianna Rigg, Sally Fields and Rachel Welsh would often appear on film in tall or over the knee boots.

Thigh-highs were to stay fashionable until the year 1980. Right at the time when Progressivism was in freefall and Reagan and Conservatism began to Rule. Anyone stating that thigh-highs were still part of the fashion scene in the ’80’s is distinctly incorrect. In 1980, the de rigueur style was ankle-low and flat-heeled. In anything, the popularity of Punk meant that combat boots were also the new sensation. Along with, of course ( yawn ), leg warmers.

Today, the longevity of the ThighBoots style is likely a result of the explosion of adult images on the web, particularly the number in which the female subjects are clad in over-the-knee footwear. In addition, the oughts have been a decade in which conservatism has been in ever increasing retreat, especially with the election of Obama.

Patrick Macnee & Honor Blackman - Kinky Boots

Yves Saint Laurent Men's s/s 11

via gq.com & daylife

As usual I loved the YSL show. Pilati showed some simple yet different footwear. In particular sandals that had a kind of brim that made them seem like foot coffins. I didn't like that they failed to hold their shape very well, but I found the idea rather good. R.I.P feet.

Dr. Martens For Life

via drmartensforlife

So apparently the Dr. Martens "For Life" range of footwear are guaranteed for your whole life so Mr. Dr. Marten will repair or replace them until you're dead. Nice idea but what I really like is that they are your classic work boot made from nicer materials that will last longer.
The other purpose of this post was to put this link up from Steve at Style Salvage Blog with a behind the scenes look on how Dr. Martens are made. Dr. Martens: the craft of an iconic shoe.

Push it Real Good

via smokeandmirrors

Was very impressed and rather amused by this editorial from V mag titled 'Push it Real Good' inspired by the style of Salt 'n ' Pepa (awesome) with a hint of spice (girls) which came in the form of customised giant platform Adidas and Reebok sneakers. What really got me was how perfect the continuation of the Adidas stripes down the side of the platform was. (Click on the images for a larger view.)
Photography: Josh Olins
Styling: Clare Richardson