It's NY Fashion Week... but do people still care?

I want to start this post with sending my best to those being affected by Hurricane Irma and those recovering from Hurricane Harvey. Having gone through Superstorm Sandy, I can feel your pain. 

We're in the midst of New York Fashion Week, a tradition dating back to the 1940s. But now with social media and the Internet taking over, is it still relevant?

I recently produced an interview for CNBC with designer Rebecca Minkoff and her brother, Uri Minkoff who is the co-founder and CEO of her brand.

She says while the tradition is changing with the times, its still relevant. 

"Fashion week "used to be open to a very small closed circle of editors and buyers and we've seen a huge dramatic shift. We decided to open up our show to the consumer," Rebecca Minkoff, the creative director for her own line, told CNBCs "On the Money.""

The idea to include consumers came from the fact that with the Internet they could see things live, instead of waiting for media coverage.

In addition to giving customers access to the shows, the Minkoffs have most of their collection ready for purchase right away, its called "See ow, Buy Now." That includes shoes!

Traditionally, designer collections took 6 months to appear on shelves after being shown.

That lag gives fast fashion time to copy styles, which while nice for those on a budget, hurts designers. 

If you think fashion week is just about clothing, think again. The designers also set the stage for the big shoe trends. 

It seems like sneakers are not going anywhere. Jonathan Simkhai paired Reeboks with a jumpsuit and Public School and Air Jordan revealed a new collection, according to Footwear News. The sneakers were shown covered in plastic bag.

Other designers use NYFW as a time to announce shoe collections, such as Cushnie et Ochs, according to Footwear News. The shoes are sexy with a fun side

Pumped: The Art & Craft of Shoemaking at Charlotte, NC's Mint Museum

Back in June I was in Charlotte and was able to see Pumped: The Art & Craft of Shoemaking, an exhibit on the art of shoe making at The Mint Museum.

The exhibit ran from May to August, so unfortunately it is no longer open. Still you can enjoy my pictures and what I learned.

These are silk shoes from the early 1700s. Like other shoes from the time, they were made so that each foot was identical.

These are silk boots from the mid-1800s. They are beautiful, but seem very unpractical, like they would get filth the minute you walked outside.

These are some of the tools used in shoe making. It reminds me of visiting the shoe making shop in Colonial Williamsburg. 

These shoes are from the 1860s and represent a return to embellished shoes. Hooped-skirts were becoming popular and allowed glimpses of the wearer's shoes.

These are slippers from the 1890s but both remind me of more modern styles.

These shoes which include clear plastic are from the 1940-60s but remind me of newer shoes, including Cinderella's glass slipper being re-imagined. 

If you thought heelless shoes were a thing of modern times, these are from 1955-1960.

And one of m favorite displays, the shoe on the left are Yves Saint Laurent haute couture while those on the right are a knock-off. While the look similar, the knock-off is slightly different to avoid copyright infringement. The original is made of leather and the punches are done by hand. The knock off is made of man-made materials and the punching was done by machine.

The oh-so-fashionable sneaker

When high-heel loving celebrities like Victoria Beckham ditch their heels for sneakers, you know the sneaker has become fashionable.

Nike Tanjun in White and Orange

It started a few years ago with sneaker wedges and now all sorts of retro shoes and trainers are being rocked as both part of an athleisure trend and general fashion.

Over the summer I decided to get in on the trend by buying the Nike Tanjun in white from Famous Footwear for $55.

Enjoying that sneakers are having a fashion moment. So comfy! White Nike sneakers bought in @famousfootwear #sneakers #shoes #comfort #myvictory @nike

A photo posted by Through the Sole: A Shoe Blog (@throughthesole) on Jul 11, 2016 at 11:22am PDT

The solid white look made them summery, without being too outlandish. Perfect for trying out sneakers for non-athletic purposes. I was instantly impressed with their cushioning and how they were comfortable for a whole day with lot of walking.

I tried them out with a few different outfits, including skirts and dresses and they added a fun casual but fashion-forward edge.

I even tried wearing them to work, and with the right outfit they worked. The only problem? They get dirty easily. I am able to hand wash them, but lately have been having more trouble getting stains out.

To avoid the dirt issue, I also bought a pair in bright orange. These are loud, but I have had multiple people stop me to tell me how cute they are.

Bright pop of Orange with these @nike sneakers #sneakers #nike #orange Bought in @famousfootwear #myvictory

A photo posted by Through the Sole: A Shoe Blog (@throughthesole) on Aug 26, 2016 at 10:03am PDT

While these get dirty less easily than the white, they do get dirty as well. I have had success hand washing them.

While many designer brands make sneakers, Allure says it's the affordable Vans than have been all around fall's fashion shows.

Have you gotten into the sneaker trend? Which do you like wearing?

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Related Posts:
How New Balance makes 4 million pairs of sneakers in the U.S.
Two more pairs of sneakers

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
Life is short, wear cute shoes...New shoe sign
Pretty Toes and Feet: Pedicure Statistics

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Going Nude: Flesh-toned Flats and High Heels

I've seen nude pumps all over fashion magazines and blogs, but never actually bought them. With being away at college with tons of hilly walking, they seemed unpractical. Plus, many styles seemed too plain. Now that I am working and back in New York City, I found flesh-toned shoes are my most valuable shoe. They go with everything, make your legs look amazing, and don't have to be so plain or so tall.

I recent purchased nude Bandolino flats with a buckle from Famous Footwear for about $40.

Shoe History: The Birth and History of the Stiletto

Stilettos with the amazing tall and thin heel are synonymous with sexiness and femininity, but when was this famous shoe invented?

Ancient Greeks may have worn sandals according to History of Sandals and in the 16th and 17th centuries chopine, very high and difficult to walk in platforms, were fashionable, according to All About Shoes.

It wasn't until after World War II that the stiletto became all the rage. After the war, women left their jobs and returned to domestic life. As this shift occurred, heels became higher, according to Hilary Greenbaum and Dana Rubinstein of the New York Times.

The exact inventor of the stiletto is unknown. While Ferragamo, Roger Vivier and Perugia have all been credited with invention, the shoe was most likely designed by a mix of Italian shoemakers, potentially with French designers involved.

Comfort and Style: The Success of New Designs by Crocs

An ad for Crocs new designs, showing their comfort and style.

One of my biggest goals when shopping is to find comfortable and stylish shoes. I want to be fashionable but don’t want foot pain by the end of the day. Also, living in New York where rain is fairly common, I strive to have waterproof shoes. While rain boots do the trick, they look silly when it’s sunny and can be warm and inappropriate for some occasions.

Crocs has moved in and tried to fill this niche with expanding its line to include more style conscious but still comfy and usually waterproof shoes. The expansion has been profitable.

The brand was created in 2002 by three boating enthusiasts who wanted a lightweight material that was waterproof and slip-resistant. After a few years of profitability, in 2008, profits began to fall, partially because people disliked the look. For example, there is a Facebook group “I don’t care how comfortable Crocs are, you look like a dumb***”, and a website dedicated to their elimination.

However, starting in 2010, profits began to rise again, according to Andrew Adam Newman of the NY Times. It is projected the company will make over $1 billion in 2011. Only 45% of that profit comes from the traditional model, showing the success of Crocs expansions.

Can Shoe Color be Trademarked? The Signature Christian Louboutin Red Sole

Christian Louboutin shoes are known around the world for their signature scarlet red soles. They've been seen on celebrities, such as Victoria Beckham at the Royal Wedding, and on popular TV shows, like Sex and the City. However, can one company monopolize this popular color?

I’ve discussed a proposed law to copyright fashion designs, but can color be seen as distinct? 

 Christian Louboutin and Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) have been locked in a legal battle since April 2011 over the use of the color red, specifically on the soles on shoes. Louboutin has been using red soles since 1992 when the designer saw an assistant painting her nails red, according to the Telegraph. In its 2011 resort collection, YSL included four shoes that were completely red, including the sole. However, the exact shade of red is different from that which Louboutin uses, according to the Telegraph. When Louboutin saw the shoes, he sued alleging that the shoes were virtually identical. Louboutin sought an injunction on the sale of the shoes and damages of at least $1 million.

The High Heel Index: Does Heel Height Predict the Economy?

We’ve talked about how Michelle Obama fashion choices can influence stock prices, but are high heel heights correlated to the well-being of the economy?

Researchers at I.B.M. used social media to determine that high heel heights are dropping. In fact, the median high of heels mentioned in 2009 was seven inches and fell to two inches in 2011. I.B.M. believes this information suggests that the economy may begin to come back, according to Eric Wilson at the NY Times.

Comfort or Style? I Found Both with Dr. Scholl's Metallic Flats

I have cute black flats, but unfortunately by the end of a long day, my feet hurt. Thus, I set out to find cute and comfy flats. Not just comfy, supportive. Previously, I talked about the dilemma of finding comfortable and stylish shoes.

After some time shopping, I was successful. I bought metallic Dr. Scholl’s flats from Famous Footwear for $31.99. The shoes are a pewter color in between silver and gold, so they go with everything and are on trend for the season. I also like with the metallic color that they can be both dressy and work friendly. They have a round metal buckle design in the front and are cut low, so you get a hint of toe cleavage.

Great Boot Shopping Deals at Marshalls

Recently, I decided to prepare for the upcoming wintery weather by searching for new boots. Luckily Marshalls provided tons of options at prices that could only considered deals. They had a wide selection from top designers. I walked out with short casual brown Michael Kors boots and grey slightly slouchy Unlisted boots. Ok, now I’ll let you in on a secret, they were from the kids department, but fit me perfectly.

Awesome and Stylish Aussie Dogs Boots

I recently received two pairs of Aussie Dogs brand boots and they may actually make me excited for the upcoming chilly weather. In general, the boots are comfortable, stylish, and seem to be warm. (Ithaca weather has been surprisingly mild so far and I can’t say I’m wishing for a cold front.)

I have two pairs, including a classic sheepskin-style black tall boot, which is from the Aussie Girl line and is completely man-made! As a vegetarian and an animal rights activist the availability of well-made, comfy, and stylish shoes without animal products is very exciting. The other pair is the La Croix style in cream. This boot is mid-height and made of sheepskin with a rubber sole. The boot has fur detail and fringe on the side.

Cheap Summer Fun! Miss Trish of Capri for Target Summer 2011 Collection

If you want fun and cute summer shoes, check out Miss Trish of Capri Summer 2011 collection for Target. After popular previous collaborations, this collection of wedges, sandals, and dressy flip-flops is playful, well-designed and comfortable.

The materials are cheaper than the regular designs but come a sharp discount. The designer’s shoes can be upwards of $300 while the Target collection tops out at $30. This is much cheaper than even when you find Miss Trish shoes in discounters, such as Daffy’s.

 I happened to check out my local Target and found them on clearance for 50 percent off. I purchased a pair of green wedges with flowers for $15 and my mom purchased blue flowered flip-flops for $10. The selection of styles was limited but there were many sizes available. Online more styles are available but they have not yet been marked down.

Cheesy! Shoes Made of Melted Cheese

"Jimmy Cheese" shoes made of melted cheddar cheese.

You’ve heard of Lady Gaga’s meat shoes and dress. Inspired by the singer, a group of fashion and textile students at Bath Spa University in England, have made dresses and shoes out of one ton of melted cheddar cheese.   

The whole collection includes two dresses, “Jimmy Cheese” shoes, and a handbag.

Royal Wedding: Pippa Middleton’s Shoe Choices

After the Royal Wedding, Pippa Middleton has caught the world’s attention, especially after stepping out in a stunning cowl neck Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen dress at Kate’s wedding. The unmarried Pippa is becoming a style icon like her sister and her shoe choices complement her sense of fashion.

At the Royal Wedding ceremony, Pippa wore white pumps under her dress, although the exact designer and style is unknown. You can catch a glimpse in the below picture. The Official Royal Wedding site does not specify who made her shoes. It says that the bridesmaid’s shoes were made by Rainbow Club, a shoe company based in Devon. It describes them as “classic Mary Jane style shoes are made from satin and finished with a Swarovski crystal buckle.” The pictures suggest Pippa did not wear these same shoes, just like her dress was different than those of the young attendants.

The Other Royal Wedding Shoes: Princess Diana, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth.

All eyes have been on the historic wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton. (This blog has received more hits than ever before. A big thank you!) Although the wedding broke some traditions and Kate was a commoner, there have been other royal weddings and other wedding shoes with pictures readily available! 

Princess Diana

Princess Diana wore embellished white slippers on her wedding day. They were made by Clive Shilton of embroidered ivory silk and detailed with mother of pearl sequins. There were heart shapes at the front and the soles were made of hand-tooled leather (mspmint, 2010). The heels were low so Diana at 5’ 10” wouldn’t be taller than Prince Charles (I Do Weddings, 2011). The heels were trimmed in 24 carat gold (Diana, Princess of Wales, 2010). A spare pare was made in case of an emergency (mspmint).

Royal Wedding: The Sky-high Heels of Victoria Beckham

All eyes were first on Kate Middleton as she wed her prince, but with a crowd of the famous and fashionable in attendance one couldn’t help but glance at their outfits.

Victoria Beckham, the former Spice Girl, Posh,  showed up in navy from hat to shoes. Her outfit has been no stranger to controversy.

Liz Jones of the Daily Mail said, “The effect was more suitable for a funeral than a wedding.”

Royal Fashion: Kate Middleton’s Shoe Choices

All eyes are on Kate Middleton, or as I should probably Princess Catherine’s, fashion choices now. Even before she was so famous, she has shown a great sense of classic fashion. Not surprisingly, she has also had some great shoe choices.

The day after her wedding, Kate stepped out in on trend rope-bottom wedges. Wedges are everywhere for spring, especially with rope bottoms. For Kate, the shoes add a pop of spring and lend a slightly more casual air to her outfit. According to whatkatewore.com, the wedges are LK Bennett Greta Wedges. They are not from this season, so finding your own pair will be difficult.  

The Royal Wedding: Kate Middleton’s Wedding Shoes

Today, all eyes were on Kate Middleton as she fulfilled every little girl’s fantasy of marrying a prince. Today was also the big wedding dress reveal. Kate made a stunning choice of classic white dress with lace by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. The dress is classic and timeless.

You may not have seem them under her long train, but I couldn’t help but wonder what shoes she wore.  The shoes were handmade at Alexander McQueen of ivory satin and hand-embroidered at Royal School of Needlework, according to the Royal Wedding website. I have had trouble finding pictures, but a very helpful reader sent in the below picture from an Australian magazine. A big thank you!

Update: Lady Gaga Shoes Sell Out: Celebrities and Shoes: The Wacky and Inspiring Shoe Choices of Lady Gaga

Despite being wacky and difficult to walk in, replicas of Lady Gaga’s heel-less shoes have sold out.

 Noritaka Tatehana, a Japanese designer, created the original shoes. He became famous as fans clamored to get their hands on a pair. However, the $2,500 to $4,800 price tag was too expensive for most (CocoPerez, April 2011 and Lomrantz, April 2011).

Update: “If the shoe fits, they’ll copy it:” Copyright and Fashion

(Quote from Christopher Muther)

Finding budget-friendly versions of the runway clothing may soon become more difficult, if a new bill to copyright fashion is passed.

The Innovative Design Protection and Piracy Prevention Act will give designers exclusive rights to unique clothing, shoes, and accessories. The bar to qualify for protection is high to prevent frivolous lawsuits, but still provides added defense against knock-offs.

Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) introduced legislation in August that would provide copyright protection to fashion designers. The bill will likely pass by mid-2011.