Imagine being asked to make the short journey to a quirky fashion studio off Baker Street and be told these magic words, ‘Pick any pair you want’, as soon as you get there. It never happens, you say? Well, it happened to me today! I was taken through a narrow corridor lined up with a never-ending shelf displaying all sorts of multicoloured ballet flats which opened onto a small room which I can only liken to Ali Baba’s cavern. From the ceiling down the room was packed with all specimens of espadrilles, moccasins, sandals, boots and more pumps. I truly felt like a little girl at Christmas— with the only exception that my Santa was not a fat bearded man but a lovely woman named Crystal. Now for the shoes.
The pumps in question are Bloch’s latest Spring/Summer 2011 creations and will leave more than one of you salivating for one of these pieces of eye candy. All the models come in several colours (red, pink, green, white, beige, brown, blue, black etc...) and they are some of the most original designs I have seen in a long time. From ‘pearlized’ sheepskin flats complimented by a bow to metallic peep toes to suede bejewelled pumps, you will want to do one thing and one thing only: burn an enormous hole in your wallet (they cost around £100) to give your delicate feet the comfort and elegance they deserve so. My personal favourites are exquisite croc-like blue leather pumps with small slits cut all around the shoe and adorned with minuscule turquoise, indigo and cyan polka dots. If originality and one of a kind pieces are your trademarks, I would definitely recommend the new Bloch collection. There are so many styles to choose from— classic beige suedes, funky, electric pink everyday shoes, sophisticated black evening pumps—that I dare anyone to go on their website and not fall in love with one of these works of art.
Penelope Chilvers’s shoes were also a feast for the eye. More expensive (the prices range from £79 for flat espadrilles to £385 for long boots in antiqued leather), they are extremely comfortable if I say so myself. Vintage is the word with this new Spring/Summer collection and alongside the more traditional riding boots, you will find all sorts of embroidered clogs, striped twill platforms with vintage alpine ribbons, sandals and Nubuck moccasins. The clogs are the line’s standout pieces and will no doubt become this spring’s must-have footwear items. As to Chilvers’s signature shoes, the ankle boots, they are certainly worth a look (and a try). I found myself literally dazzled by the quality of the leather, something the designer takes great pride in: ‘When it comes to leather, I like to enhance its natural texture, and imperfections—nothing is uniform—each piece is unique and improves with age,’ she states in her manifesto.
I will certainly enjoy showing off my new shoes and watch them beautify with time (clearly a great investment) as I walk down the busy streets of London.
www.penelopechilvers.com
www.blochshoes.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment