I. LIVE. FOR THESE. SHOES. Livvvvvvv for them. They are everything: mixed prints, stiletto heel, lace-up, textural, higher than 4 inches, oh and motherfraggin' FEROCIOUS. Owning these two pairs would mean I could tap out—I could stop buying shoes altogether right then and there (Lying! I will never stop buying shoes).
Still, the fact is, this gloriously noisy duo is (upon deeper thinking) a paradigmatic representation of the harmonious relationship between high fashion, and what we call "fast fashion" today. Brands like Zara, J.Crew, Club Monaco, and Topshop, not only take cues from the pedestalled designers of the "1%," and make runway-ready styles available to and affordable for the masses (thank you!), but what makes these brands in particular stand out, is their ability to build on that inspiration, and create inspiring pieces and set trends of their own.
Case in point, the Zara sandal on the right that is clearly inspired by the Kirkwood pair; it's also borrowing that canary yellow from the Louis Vuitton Spring '13 collection, and that monochromatic patterning from the Marc Jacobs Spring '13 show, and then it's building on those quoted themes—that cerulean and the sort of tribal feel of the shoe are all its own. All the elements are blended together expertly to create something that is "inspired by" but still wholly unique and statement-making in its own right. (OK, I'LL SHUT UP ABOUT THE DAMN SHOES, NOW.) Bottom line, both of these pairs are fantastic in their own way, and if I don't manage to make it to the Nicholas Kirkwood/Peter Pilotto Promise Land, those Zara sandals will get me there at a fraction of the price. Hollah.
Still, the fact is, this gloriously noisy duo is (upon deeper thinking) a paradigmatic representation of the harmonious relationship between high fashion, and what we call "fast fashion" today. Brands like Zara, J.Crew, Club Monaco, and Topshop, not only take cues from the pedestalled designers of the "1%," and make runway-ready styles available to and affordable for the masses (thank you!), but what makes these brands in particular stand out, is their ability to build on that inspiration, and create inspiring pieces and set trends of their own.
Case in point, the Zara sandal on the right that is clearly inspired by the Kirkwood pair; it's also borrowing that canary yellow from the Louis Vuitton Spring '13 collection, and that monochromatic patterning from the Marc Jacobs Spring '13 show, and then it's building on those quoted themes—that cerulean and the sort of tribal feel of the shoe are all its own. All the elements are blended together expertly to create something that is "inspired by" but still wholly unique and statement-making in its own right. (OK, I'LL SHUT UP ABOUT THE DAMN SHOES, NOW.) Bottom line, both of these pairs are fantastic in their own way, and if I don't manage to make it to the Nicholas Kirkwood/Peter Pilotto Promise Land, those Zara sandals will get me there at a fraction of the price. Hollah.
