Shopping Is an Experience

Some people say they would rather spend money on experiences than the accumulation of objects. To those people, I say that the act of shopping is a beautiful experience.

Model: Sasha Pivovarova

Jimmy Choo pumps. Stuart Weitzman heels. Chanel heels, handbags and clutches. Charlotte Olympia heels. Sergio Rossi shoes. Christian Louboutin heels. Dolce & Gabanna shoes and handbags. Salvatore Ferragamo heels. Versace shoes. Rochas pumps. Valentino platforms. Brian Atwood heels. Haider Ackermann shoes. ShopBop handbag. Judith Lebier handbags and coin purse. Kotur purse. Arunashi ring. Monique Pean ring. Bulgari bracelet. Pandora brooches. Buccellati brooch.

High on Shoes

Ralph Lauren “Celia”, Gianvito Rossi, Malone Souliers “Maybelle”, Saint Laurent “Anja”, Roger Vivier “Tres Vivier”, Rene Caovilla, Bottega Veneta, Bottega Veneta, Maison Margiela, Area, Saint Laurent “Kiki”, Gianvito Rossi, Miu Miu, Manolo Blahnik “Hangisi”, Le Silla, Jimmy Choo “Lavish”, Jimmy Choo “Lavish”, MISBHV, Attico, Amina Muaddi “Adowa”, Jacquemus “Camil”, Yeezy

Remembering Vince Camuto

Vince Camuto passed away last Wednesday, January 21, 2015. He died before his time, succumbing to prostate cancer at the age of seventy-eight. During his lifetime Camuto was a legendary force in the footwear industry, founding the brands Nine West (1978), Gianni Bini (2002), Antonio Melani (2002), Michelle D. (2002), Nurture (2002), Jessica Simpson Collection (2003), Vince Camuto (2005), and Two by Vince Camuto, VC Signature, and Louise et Cie thereafter. He is known for injecting style and variety into middle market women’s shoes, and for making high platform heels walkable with his innovative use of foam rubber. Today the Vince Camuto brand encompasses women’s shoes, handbags, accessories, ready-to-wear, and even jewelry. He was in the midst of planning a menswear line before his untimely death.

Yet before his illustrious career in design, he learned about women’s footwear and fashion merchandising as a  salesperson at I. Miller in Manhattan. He was quickly ranked #1 in sales, not only for his acumen but also for his personality. He made many, many friends in the fashion industry, all of whom are sad to see him go. This is what they had to say:

Vince Camuto young

“He was a unique man. I’ve never worked with anyone like him, and I’ve worked with a lot of people.” — Calvin Klein

“I can’t say we had a collection until Vince came on board.” — Tory Burch

“Vince Camuto was my mentor, my friend, and my constant inspiration. I will be forever grateful to him for changing my life for the better.” — Jessica Simpson

“What was so inspiring about Vince was that he was constantly evolving and reinventing himself.” — Reed Krakoff

“He was a shoe god. There is no other way to say it.” — Steve Madden

“He was dedicated to his business, but most of all, to friendship. ” — Max Azria

Vince Camuto and Louise

“His passion for the footwear business and his vision for style meeting function were unmatched.” — Alex Dillard

“When it came to product, he was absolutely the best merchant in the business, period.” — Pete Nordstrom

“Vince has been a true partner and a fashion leader.” — Tony Spring, Chairman and CEO at Bloomingdale’s 

“Vince was one of the most magical people I have ever had the pleasure to work with.” — Muriel Gonzalez, EVP of Shoes at Macy’s 

“Vince had a warmth with all those he touched and the greatest of humility in all he did.” — Neil Cole, Former Chairman, CEO and President at Iconix Brand Group 

Vince Camuto Kase Vince Camuto Kiotio Vince Camuto Graydin

 Vince Camuto Fairlee  Vince Camuto Cresida   Vince Camuto Melisha

Vince Camuto Celindan Vince Camuto HainesVince Camuto Carolyn

Vince Camuto Sukey  Vince Camuto Lamont   Vince Camuto Yvonne

Kase, Kiotio, Graydin, Fairlee, Cresida, Melisha, and Celindan from Vince Camuto; Carolyn, Haines, Sukey, Lamont, and Yvonne from VC Signature 

 Vince Camuto Quote

Investment Shoes

As the saying goes, these boots were made for walking. However, in my opinion the best shoes were made primarily to stop people in their tracks. Here are some standout, high-quality investment pairs guaranteed to attract attention:

Tod's  Jimmy Choo 3

Tod’s, $5,610, harrods.com ~~~ Jimmy Choo, $4,225, mytheresa.com

Alexander McQueen (2)

Emilio Pucci, $4,160, luisaviaroma.com ~~~ Alexander McQueen, $3,895, luisaviaroma.com

Dolce & Gabbana 3  Dolce & Gabbana 4

Dolce & Gabbana, $3,995, luisaviaroma.com

Julia Haart  DSquared2

Julia Haart, $3,784, farfetch.com ~~~ DSquared2, $3,640, luisaviaroma.com

Chanel (2)

Givenchy, $3,625, luisaviaroma.com ~~~ Chanel, $3,451, shop-hers.com

Flats to Heels

It is common knowledge that walking long distances in heels is bad for your feet…but, perhaps even more unfortunately, it is bad for your shoes. Though they may very well catch the eye of passersby on the city streets, beautiful stilettos were not designed to take as many steps as their heelless counterparts. I learned this the hard way, and have spent a lot of money getting heel nails replaced over the years. The best solution, in my opinion, is to carry a large handbag, walk the long distance in chic flats (no need for sneakers!), and change into your more delicate shoes at a discreet location nearby.

Here are some pairings of flats and heels that would work well together to compliment the same outfit…

Bloch   Dolce & Gabbana (2)

Bloch, $183 + Dolce & Gabbana, $695

Charlotte Russe (2)   Kate Spade 5 (2)

Charlotte Russe, $20 + Kate Spade, $328

DVF   Kurt Geiger

DVF, $169 + Kurt Geiger, $300

Francesco Milano   L.K. Bennett

Francesco Milano, $120 + L.K. Bennett, $375

Kate Spade 6 (2)   Christian Louboutin (2)

Kate Spade, $45 + Christian Louboutin, $325

Charlotte Olympia 6   Kate Spade 7 (2)

Charlotte Olympia, $303 + Kate Spade, $350

Franco Sarto   Kate Spade 8 (2)

Franco Sarto, $38 + Kate Spade, $199

SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker 

SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker, $285 + Manolo Blahnik, $725

8 Ballet  Casadei

8, $131 + Casadei, $695

French Sole   Dune

French Sole, $104 + Dune, $135

Jimmy Choo  Jimmy Choo 2

Jimmy Choo, $675 + Jimmy Choo, $900

Tom Ford Yes   Tom Ford 2

Tom Ford, $716 + Tom Ford, $900

Love This Brand — Alice + Olivia

My fantasy is to travel the globe in search of new Alice + Olivia pieces. Here is how I would go about it…

START: ALICE + OLIVIA BOUTIQUE, NEW YORK, NEW YORK

Alice + Olivia boutique  Alice + Olivia from Alice + Olivia

Cherry pouf dress, $698

SCOOP, NEW YORK, NEW YORK

Alice + Olivia from Scoop              Scoop

Lewis drop waist knit skirt, $220

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, NEW YORK

 

Saks Fifth Avenue           Alice + Olivia from Saks Fifth Avenue

Lang two-tone strapless cut-out waist jumpsuit, $440

NORDSTROM RACK, WESTBURY, NEW YORK

Alice + Olivia from Nordstrom Rack                          Nordstrom Rack

Dakota ankle strap flat, $120

MYTHERESA.COM ON THE PLANE

mytheresa Alice + Olivia from mytheresa

Verity fur jacket, $1,315

OXYGEN BOUTIQUE, LONDON, ENGLAND

Alice + Olivia from Oxygen Boutique      Oxygen Boutique

Wynn sleeveless slim fitted dress, $525

SELFRIDGES, LONDON, ENGLAND

Selfridges                     Alice + Olivia from Selfridge's

Floral ball gown skirt, $900

SMETS, BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

Alice + Olivia from Smets              Smets

Sheer crochet top, $235

LA CASA MODA, SCHORNDORF, GERMANY

La Casa Moda   Alice + Olivia from La Casa Moda

Breton sweater, $173

EXCELSIOR MILANO, MILAN, ITALY

Alice + Olivia from Excelsior Milano     Excelsior Milano

Mandy dress, $352

SHOPBOP.COM ON THE PLANE

Alice + Olivia from shopbop

Shopbop Logo. (PRNewsFoto/Shopbop.com)

Vintage box leather car pouch, $225

LANE CRAWFORD, SHANGHAI, CHINA

Alice + Olivia from Lane Crawford          Lane Crawford

Perna flower swing coat, $810

THECORNER.COM ON THE PLANE

Thecorner                         Alice + Olivia from thecorner

Knee length skirt, $490

NORDSTROM, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

Alice + Olivia from Nordstrom                               Nordstrom Headquarters

High waist wide leg pants, $365

DSW, NOVATO, CALIFORNIA

DSW                   Alice + Olivia from DSW

Dina floral pump, $290

CUSP NEIMAN MARCUS, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

Alice + Olivia from Neiman Marcus Cusp                             Neiman Marcus

Eddie floral-print boot-cut pants, $298

BLEU, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Bleu                           Alice + Olivia from Bleu

Sarita sequin drop shoulder top, $385

ZAPPOS.COM ON THE PLANE

Alice + Olivia from zappos                        Zappos

“Only you could know how perfect our trip is XOXO” Stella, $345

TOOTSIES, HOUSTON, TEXAS

Tootsies                         Alice + Olivia from Tootsies

Cady patterned shorts, $290

AND BACK HOME TO NEW YORK, WITH A BETTER WARDROBE TO SHOW FOR IT!

Love This Brand — Charlotte Olympia

Charlotte Olympia Dellal has been inspired by fairy tales, burlesque, Mexico, and of course, cats…but my personal favorite is her recent collection, which takes cues from traditional Chinese aesthetics. 

Mei Xiang pumps, Martial satin sandals, Eternally Dolly suede pumps

Ming Blue Koi pumps, The Great Wedge of China sandals, Ying Yang minaudière

Pandora Carp clutch, Lantern tasseled satin bag, Take Me Away box clutch