minirobot

(via Guillaume Hinfray s/s 2006)

Still kind of flabbergasted by Manolo Blahnik’s comment that the pool of talent in footwear is shallow, especially when it seems quite the opposite. As mentioned in the previous post, Guillaume Hinfray is a standout for me (same goes for his gorgeously designed website). For example, the Chaine shoe from his s/s 2006 collection. Wouldn’t it look spectacular with some crisp raw denim and equally crisp white button down? Or a simple black dress? With such spectacular shoes, one simply cannot complete with an outfit of matching gorgeousness, so it’s probably best to stay basic.

(via hejfina)

With my penchant for plaid and great like of Alexandre Herchcovitch, I immediately adored this dress the moment I saw it.  He uses great prints, colours and shapes in his clothing that totally set them apart from the rest.  His Dia de los Muertos print a couple years ago of skeletons in cowboy hats riding on horseback is still one of my favourites.  

On sale at Hejfina.com - another web boutique I frequently browse and await for their summer sale - and only one size L left!!

Instead of posting the very latest and greatest news, I think it’s nice to refer back to the archives and talk about the good stuff that has stood the test of time and only gets better with age.

Denim is one such thing, as is Avril 14 from the 2001 album Drukqs. Perfect for a rainy day such as today or a sunny summer’s day or just anytime.

(via Built by Wendy)

Wendy Mullins has been at it building her Built by Wendy mini empire for 15 years. Established in 1991, the line has a loyal following of girls (and boys) who just love her take on vintage/country-girl chic. The little details on her clothing are so cute, and the price point is a reasonable one - plus the online shop is adorable, even including a section entitled "knocked up?" for Mums-to-be).

Her collaboration with Wrangler has helped revamp the brand, taking an American classic and tweaking it for the modern girl. The recent partnership with Simplicity Patterns will likely do the same, and will undoubtedly evolve her cult following from mere consumer to participant in the creative process. Brilliant! With the growth of the craft/DIY community, moves such as these should be a great success.

The Built by You patterns are "coming soon", hence the christening of a new category, "eagerly anticipating".

I'm revving up my Juki.

A couple of years ago, I regrettably passed on a pair of canvas Margiela tabi booties from aloharag. They were available in khaki olive green and black and were adorable pull-ons, but I hesitated in buying them because I thought they were a little too severe, a bit too Antwerp 7. A year later while visiting Kamakura, Japan, I was at a temple where the groundsperson was wearing thin-soled tabi boots so formfitting they looked like socks. I found out that this style of boot was worn by workers for centuries - and later, on a hunt for Domo-Kun toys, I stumbled across this peculiar site that sells them. I haven't yet managed to get a pair for myself, but I intend to, oh yes.

I had forgotten about Margiela's trademark split-toes until recently, when I saw that Maison Martin Margiela created an enchanting incarnation of the split-toe as a satin ballerina flat for s/s 2006. I was breathless, but alas by merely a photograph and with no way of tracing the wheres and the how muchs of tracking them down. I can't seem to find information on them anywhere - it's as if they are a mythic creation, made only for the runway (though the photo is a still studio shot) and never produced.

Any information on the MIA Margiela split-toe ballerina flat? Leave a comment. Please.

(via Georgina Goodman)

Manolo Blahnik speaks highly of Georgina Goodman, but the rest don't bode as well (article from British Vogue):

'the British shoemaker [Georgina Goodman] has Manolo Blahnik on side. Asked recently by Footwear News whether he was concerned about the lack of talented shoe designers emerging into the market, he had two to single out. "I think there are a lot of talented designers waiting in the wings, there are a lot in the schools," he said. "Instead of so many shoe designers coming like buckets, I would like to see more than were doing something distinctive. Benoît Méleard, for example, was something special, but I don't see enough of his work these days. I think that only the most commercial designers are being pushed, which is sad. I am of this dinosaur way of thinking which [says] that small is better. You have the freedom when you are small to do whatever you want to do. Do I see one designer that stands out? Maybe in England there is Georgina Goodman, but unfortunately there are not many." '

I would disagree. Certainly in the middle high-end range of footwear (which is probably not the crowd of designers Manolo is speaking of) talent abounds. I am guessing he is referring to the barren land at the top of the footwear footchain belonging to big houses that caters to the likes of fashion-fashion people like Isabella Blow and the upper crust. I'm talking about the $300-600 range which includes many talented footwear designers like - but not limited to - Eileen Shields, Dove Nuetano, Chie Mihara, Leflesh, Walk That Walk, Key Té, Olivia Morris, Guillaume Hinfray, etc. Couture shoes, I am less concerned with; what interests me are shoes that are wearable and translate well in real life. Case-in-point: the Lanvin high-tower shoes. Ridiculous and ugly, I would snicker at someone trying to trot down the street to catch a cab wearing those.

The aforementioned designers are small, and independent. I too am old-fashioned that way and prefer things be kept limited to maintain their specialness. This fair sized crop of small footwear designers are all distinctive in their own way and appeal to me for their simplicity, detail, and subtle quirks. If by "distinctive" Blahnik means extravagant and elaborate, then perhaps he is right in that there are few that stand out, but otherwise to make such statements (the compliment to Georgina Goodman notwithstanding) is to ignore the creative talents in footwear who are out there doing their thing.

(Michelle Lowe-Holder dress from Creatures of Comfort)

Creatures of Comfort has fast become my favourite online boutique. Having read blurbs about the Los Angeles boutique all over the place since its opening, I was glad to see they have a web boutique. Visiting for the first time made me slack-jawed with its delightful collection of colourful and diverse designers - like that of Alexandre Herchcovitch (whose men’s collection is equally interesting), United Bamboo, and Cabane de Zucca, along with many other favourites.

My Creatures of Comfort wishlist is quite extensive, and am thus waiting for a summer sale (hopefully to strike soon?). Among the many objects of affection is the dress above by Michelle Lowe-Holder, which would be just perfect for humid summer nights here.

Will I have to schlep out to the West Coast for a visit? Perhaps.

(via Roadkill)

This little dude is super cute. Roadkill launched its jewelry and clothing lines in the fall of 2005 after several years of start up success at the bag biz. Having honed her craft at Daryl K (the first coming) and Rebecca Danenberg (also first coming), Elaine brought her wealth of knowledge and wisdom back to Canada to set up shop in Montreal.

The collection is always freewheeling with a great sense of humour and never adheres to a rigid aesthetic, but is totally individual, original, and is never serious. You can imagine her bags hanging off the shoulders of preppies, emos and punk girls alike - even Plain Janes could use her stuff to through some interest into the mix. With Roadkill, there is something for everyone.

(Band of Outsiders as featured on Thursday Styles)

Another example of some very cute American mens sportswear, thankfully not too dandy.

(Nam Kim's Fly-By-Night Bag via stars&infinitedarkness.com)

Richard Branson seemingly won the fight to have ownership over the word "virgin," and so virginthreads.com changed over to starsandinfinitedarkness.com. The switch, however did not affect their spirit and continued success showcasing independent and emerging designers of all kinds. There's some really cute jewelry on the site, and even Montreal's complex geometries sells its wares there.

A recent browse turned up an awesome and utilitarian bag by Nam Kim. Great for day trekking, carrying lunch and 'folios and the like. Getting tired of the big slouchy bag, this shape is a nice change of pace. Similar to the Chloe tote, this one is useful and much more down-to-earth - probably since it's a cute mushroom brown.

The 'Fly-By-Night' ships out the next day, but often on S.A.I.D. orders take 1-2 weeks to complete since most of their items are one of a kind. It gives the heart a tingle to think that someone out there is making something just for you, which of course only makes the wait absolutely worthwhile. It's nice to think that it's not factory made in volumes, but perhaps crafted in a cramped and cluttered studio apartment, with everything cut by hand and on the floor (causing many a-backache), and made with love and care.

The lives of emerging/independent designers can be tough at times, so give them your $upport.