Starting April 30th, the Yale University Press has released an eponymous publication in which the works of Charlotte Olympia, Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik as well as Azzedine Alaïa, Givenchy, Prada, and other world-class designers are all waiting to be discovered.

Source: fitnyc.edu via Vougue Paris

有了SPJ (Sara Jessica Parker) 和Alexa的追捧, 已經超有試的慾望, 拿了獎後相信價格也會大長, 要朝聖也要趁早哦!

I like to think that when it comes to fashion, I know what I like, and I know what I don’t. But I’ve been feeling very confused lately. The standard procedure for me when looking for statement evening  shoes is to go high or go home. The higher the better. For daytime shoes, much to the confusion of my boyfriend, it’s a pair of flatter than a pancake pumps (‘They have no sole, you’re basically walking barefoot, that can’t be good for your feet’). He’s absolutely correct…but they look so cute! However, a few weeks ago on a standard shopping trip, my eyes were drawn to a pair of….low heels! Dun Dun Duhhhhh. This is unheard of. Surely this is a no-go area for me? We all know the negative connotations surrounding a kitten heel. But I couldn’t resist them, I had to get them. And  after having owned them and not taken them back in a fit of embarrassment, I can make the huge revelation that I now LOVE low-heels!

Low Heeled Shoes- The Biggest Shoe Fad This SS13

It’s not only me who’s jumped on the low-heel bandwagon, and our acceptance of them has not just come from nowhere. The SS13 catwalk season saw designers including Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacob, Miu Miu, Dries Van Noten and shoe- god Nicholas Kirkwood all roll out their versions of low heeled beauties. Monochrome pencil-pointed ones from Vuitton, crystal-heeled ones at Miu Miu and triangular stepped-heel pumps from Kirkwood. Following suit, the high-street got in on the act, nervously setting out their stock wondering what we’d all make of them suggesting we go low, then happily watching the money roll in when they realised this is one of the hottest trends for this summer.

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The Kitten heel is now but a thing of the past. Now we have block low heels, slingbacks and court shoes to replace them in every colour and pattern under the sun. Yes, the low block heel may be the Queen’s favourite shoe, but it’s also favoured by the likes of Kate Bosworth and Alexa Chung. And the faithful court shoe seems surgically attached to the Duchess of Cambridge, who must adore their low height when she has to walk round all day doing the royal duties.

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It seems that women have grown to like wearing low heels because they are distinctly ‘lady-like’. Speaking from experience, they really do make you feel elegant. Their dainty aesthetic and little heel is still flattering enough for your legs to look good, but with the added bonus of actually being comfortable and ‘ walk-able’ in. I don’t think there are many women that can deny taking off their skyscraper heels at the end of a loooong night and walking barefoot home. With a low heel, you can walk/dance/ skip/ break-dance to your heart’s content. And they’re incredibly versatile and practical. You can dress them up in the evening, or go shopping in them during the day. It’s a free for all!

Check out Zara and H&M for on-trend yet on on-budget low heels. Another excuse to go shopping? Yes please!

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We have been rather spoilt lately with some beautiful sunshine and temperatures that make you feel like summer is around the corner – it was about time! Finally time to bring out your spring / summer wardrobe (don’t put the warmer items away too far, this is London after all).
For me Loafers are a great item to add to your wardrobe, a little more edgy than a ballerina shoe, they bring a male touch to your outfit. That’s why I particularly like them paired up with a dress or skirt to break it up a little. But they also work well with a pair of trousers or skinny jeans.
For some inspiration on how to wear loafers, have a look at the images below:

There are some great models out there perfect for office and off-duty wear:

Valentino Lace Loafers – Shop

Jil Sander Two Tone Loafer – Shop

Nicholas Kirkwood Metallic Leather Slippers – Shop


Giuseppe Zanotti Dalila Metal-capped Suede Loafers – Shop

Prada Pale Rose Slippers (also available in black, lake blue, grass green and pineapple yellow) – Shop

Charlotte Olympia Bisoux Loafers – Shop

Dieppa Restrepo Dandy White Leopard Loafers – Shop

CLAIRE DANES at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner
gown by Prada

Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

Claire Danes and Prada are an unstoppable combination as far as I’m concerned. She looks her best in simple silhouettes with beautiful, vintage-feeling detailing, which Prada excels at. I think this is the perfect look for the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, AKA Nerd Prom. That shade of baby blue is amazing on her, and the fit is fantastic.

CLAIRE DANES at the Time 100 Gala
dress and necklace by Lanvin

Photo: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Claire Danes in an animal print on the red carpet, but she’s working this stunning tiger-print dress. The flared skirt looks really beautiful in that pattern, and I like the belt and the simple shoes, but the necklace is a little distracting and unnecessary.

JESSICA PARÉ at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner
gown by Antonio Berardi, purse and shoes by Roger Vivier

Photo: Paul Morigi/WireImage

I think this gown is absolutely phenomenal on Jessica – easily the best dressed I’ve ever seen her (out of character, that is). But I’ve seen her and plenty of other celebrities carry that same Roger Vivier purse so many times that it’s starting to drive me a tiny bit insane.

JESSICA PARÉ in New York City
dress by Roksanda Ilincic, shoes by Charlotte Olympia

Photo: Rex

The dress and shoes are flawless, but the hair and makeup could use a little help.

VICTORIA BECKHAM in London
top, skirt, and purse by Victoria Beckham, shoes by Casadei

Photo: Splash News

I love everything about this, even though the shirt probably wouldn’t look as good on anyone but Posh. And I would absolutely KILL for that clutch.

KATY PERRY in Cancun
dress, headband, and earrings by Dolce & Gabbana

Photo: tomandlorenzo.com

This was my Spring 2013 red carpet prediction for Eva Mendes, but I think it’s equally heavenly on Katy. In true Katy style, the earrings are way too much and totally ridiculous and probably really, really painful to wear, but I probably wouldn’t recognize her if she weren’t wearing at least one what-the-fuck piece. But everything about this look is fantastic, this beach Barbie style that Katy seems to be favoring lately.

KATY PERRY in Cancun
dress by Zimmermann, shoes by Jimmy Choo

Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty

Nope. That dress looks like wrapping paper, it makes your boobs look silly, and there is sand all over your Jimmy Choos!

ROSIE HUNTINGTON-WHITELEY in London
dress by Michael Kors, shoes by Jean-Michel Cazabat

Photo: Dave M. Benett/Getty

I don’t think the white shoes even remotely go with this dress, but the dress itself is pretty killer. Simple and sexy, but a little more interesting than the usual Michael Kors fare. And I think those soft waves in her hair look beautiful.

KATE BOSWORTH at the San Francisco Film Festival
dress by Oscar de la Renta, purse by Devi Kroell

Photo: Steve Jennings/WireImage

The dress is cute, but it’s a little too predictable, as are the accessories. You can usually count on Ms. Bosworth to pull off some interesting shit, so this is pretty disappointing. And the makeup is a joke.

KATE MARA at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner
gown, purse, and shoes by Prada

Photo: Johns PKI/Splash News

The largeness of the bow combined with the weird width of the sleeves absolutely drown the teensy little Kate Mara, but the styling is pretty killer.

AMY POEHLER at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner
gown by Basler

Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

This gown is divine on her. In fact, I love virtually everything about this look except the hair.

CHRISTINA AGUILERA at the Time 100 Gala
gown by Victoria Beckham, jewelry by Lorraine Schwartz

Photo: Amanda Schwab/Startraks

By far the best Christina Aguilera has looked in at least five years, maybe more. I mean, the hair is still too blonde, the makeup is still too heavy, the jewelry is WAY too much, and her tits barely fit in there, but sadly, that’s still a remarkable improvement over basically everything she’s worn in recent memory.

ZOE SALDANA in Berlin
top and skirt by Calvin Klein, shoes by Jimmy Choo

Photo: Carstensen/DPA/Zuma

I saw this on practically every Best Dressed list this week and didn’t understand it at all. I like crop tops, but this one is painfully shapeless. The skirt is cool, but the proportions of it don’t make any sense with that top OR those shoes, which are so wrong for this look, I don’t even understand how she landed on them in the first place. She looks good because she’s Zoe fucking Saldana and she’s always going to look good, but this outfit is kind of a disaster.

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE and JESSICA BIEL at the Time 100 Gala
Justin’s suit and Jessica’s dress, purse, and shoes by Tom Ford

Photo: Rex

They both look like magician’s assistants, and it’s incredibly off-putting.

JULIANNE MOORE at the Tribeca Film Festival
dress and purse by Alexander McQueen, shoes by Narciso Rodriguez

Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty

Love the dress, HATE the shoes.

HELEN MIRREN in London
gown by Lindka Cierach

Photo: Rex

The bridesmaid purse doesn’t go at all, but the real crime is those shoes, which make her look like she has fucking HOOVES. What is going on there?

OLIVIA WILDE in Washington, DC
gown by Valentino

Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

The dress is hideous and doesn’t come close to fitting her, her makeup is awful, and if she thinks she is actually pulling off that fucking doily on her head, she is terribly, terribly mistaken.

SELENA GOMEZ in New York City
top and pants by Peter Pilotto, shoes by Rupert Sanderson

Photo: tomandlorenzo.com

I would love this look if it didn’t have that stupid fucking tummy cut-out! What, like this crazy mixed-print peplum top and matching pants didn’t have ENOUGH going on? It really needed the world’s most unflattering hole in the middle? It’s a shame, because this would be so divalicious otherwise.

SELENA GOMEZ in Los Angeles
top by Vince, skirt by Blumarine, shoes by Nicholas Kirkwood

Photo: INFphoto.com

I hate everything but those shoes, and I saw those on Jennifer Lawrence last week.

SELENA GOMEZ in New York City
coat by Burberry, shoes by Brian Atwood

Photo: PacificCoastNews.com

I never thought I would actually need to say this, but here goes: If you wear nothing but a trench coat and knee-high black leather boots, it is virtually impossible to not look like a streetwalker. Selena, you are no exception.

—
© Democracy Diva, 2013.
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Giuseppe Zanotti
Mixed Media Curved Wedge Platform Ankle Boots

SW1
Levity Suede Wedge Sandals

These look like contemporary pieces of art. I adore the artistic freedom in these Nicholas Kirkwood creations. Here, two more for your viewing pleasure:

Nicholas Kirkwood
Mixed Media Swirl Wedge Sandals

Nicholas Kirkwood
Swirl Motif Patent Leather & Suede Sandals

These shoes challenge the conventional idea of a shoe, and I love that. But while beautiful to look at, does one ever ask if it is practical beyond the runways? Does it even matter? Do these shoes belong on the street or in a frame? But most importantly, would you wear them? I know I’d like to give them a try!

xo,

CoCo

If I’ve inspired you to break out the credit card, here are the links (all to Saks Fifth Ave):

Giuseppe Zanotti Mixed Media Curved Wedge Platform Ankle Boots

SW1 Levity Suede Wedge Sandals

Nicholas Kirkwood Mixed Media Swirl Wedge Sandals

Nicholas Kirkwood Swirl Motif Patent Leather & Suede Sandals

Images courtesy of Saksfifthavenue.com

]]> http://tara-gardner.com/2013/04/24/autumn-winter-2013/ Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:17:25 +0000 taragardner http://tara-gardner.com/2013/04/24/autumn-winter-2013/

If there was any fear of next season being drab or austere, think again. Autumn Winter 2013 is total style optimism, awash with prints, textures and major shots of colour.

Pink has come out super strong for the season in nearly every shade from barely-there to lollipop, pony skin emerges as the texture du jour, coats, capes and jackets feature heavily in boxy silhouettes and bright shades, while bags come structured and ladylike.

Going for classic grown-up elegance,
Mulberry played to its heritage with tweeds, dogtooth print and leathers splashed over tunics, tops and dresses. I have fallen in love with the Ox Blood leather cape, while their neat bow adorned pumps are that bit more sexy than saccharine this season.

Other stand out pieces for me so far include the exclusive Erdem line at Matches, the textured tops at Maje, Nicholas Kirkwood printed pumps, Eddie Borgo jewellery at My-Wardrobe, and most surprisingly of all the luxe-looking capes and jackets at H&M.
Enjoy my mini edit.