Shoes have replaced bags as ‘It’ item
By Mel Cuevas
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:02:00 11/21/2008
Filed Under: Fashion, Lifestyle & Leisure
IN the economic slowdown, the fashion industry seems to have a more ironic view of the state of the world: models parading in super-high heels, some so high, several of the models were seen tripping in them.
Blame it on sky-rocketing prices of handbags, or the proliferation of designer knock-offs, even perhaps what the Daily Mail calls “the Gwyneth effect.” So this year’s shoes are making a statement of their own.
When gladiator sandals reemerged a few years ago (thanks to another style icon, Kate Moss), it was such a big hit that it spawned every possible style and permutation, from Christian Louboutin platforms to Balenciaga’s warrior woman knee-high sandals.
Even Zara sells an embellished pair for around P6,000.
And when sales of high heels surged after actress Gwyneth Paltrow was shown teetering from one pair of sky-high heels to another sans handbag—it was a clear indication that show-stopping footwear would steal the spotlight from the “It” bag.
Here in Manila, several of designer Joey Samson’s clients reportedly placed orders for the black patent sneaker-inspired platform shoe he had custom-made by Janylin for his recent Fashion Watch show.
For the Autumn-Winter 2008 and Spring-Summer 2009 collections, shoe designers have come up with imaginative and creative ways to combine colors, materials, and textures, from exotic leather to Lucite and suede, festooned with beads, studs, buckles and jewels—the more unusual, the better.
And we’re not even talking about the heel itself. Designers such as Miuccia Prada, Giuseppe Zanotti, Marc Jacobs, and Jill Sander are literally taking designer heels to new heights with cutout heels, fin-style heels and reverse heels, using them as a pillar for new architectural designs—a trend which can easily damage your feet.
Dubbed as “limo” or “taxi” shoes (since you can’t walk around in them that much), the alternative, as reported by Bill Cunningham in the New York Times, would be to carry your footwear in your oversize bag and slip them on when you get to your destination.
And while you can count on your shoes to dress up your LBD (little black dress), it seems the trend for bags is quite the opposite. With the increasing trend for no-logo styles, bags are taking a back seat to shoes.
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