Limo heels

Commentary on This Week's On The Street

My favorite fashion reporter/photographer is Bill Cunningham's On The Street in which he has been chronicling what New Yorker's have been wearing for years--and yes, decades. However, I am big fan of the new web format of On The Street that takes advantage of the Internet's unique capabilities, namely Cunningham's audio commentary with the slide show.

It's much more illuminating to hear him discuss the week's photos and hear him describe what New Yorker's are wearing and why. I find it much more interesting to have both the visual and audio--particularly to hear the voice of the photographer after decades of photo montages that have appeared in the Sunday New York Times. A print montage that I swear I recall, yet have not found in the Times' online archives is collection of photos from circa mid-to-late 1990's of the Antique high-heel Mary Janes produced by Prada that were all the rage one fall season.

As a shoe fiend, I have certainly enjoyed Cunningham's recent stories on shoes being the focus of the outfit than the handbag.

In this week's photo essay entitled The Modern Woman and what they are wearing, I found one photo of a woman whose outfit is super cute with a very feminine full mini skirt, black jacket, black hobo and of course, the clearly visible red-soled trademark of Christian Louboutin black stilettos. I also love her inky black tights, which alone had been the subject of an On The Street feature wore by Parisian women.

 

Photo credit: Bill Cunningham, New York Times

All Decked Out for a 'Moonstruck' Evening

In the 1987 movie, Moonstruck, Loretta (Cher) agrees to go to the Opera with Ronny (Nicolas Cage), the brother of her fiance, Johnny (Danny Aiello). The two go to a performance of 'La Bohème' at Carnegie Hall.

Last night, I have a wonderful evening with my gay husband Daniel (every woman needs one, at least in S.F.). We had dinner and then went to see 'La Bohème' at the San Francisco Opera. It was a beautiful show and as soon as I heard the song performed by Norah Amsellem in the second act (The Latin Quarter) I immediately recalled my memory of Moonstruck, my favorite movie with Cher and Nicolas Cage, which I hadn't seen in years.

As with Cher in the movie, I visited the hair salon prior to my visit to the opera. In my case, I went to the WAK Shack salon for a blow out and brow wax. This time, I had Heather do both and she did a great job. My brows were perfect, as always, and she put in plenty of curls using both the brush and curling iron. She used tons of hairspray to hold my 'do until my evening engagement several hours later.

Fortunately, I didn't have to take a cab to the opera house as Daniel arrived with his black Jag--a perfect compliment to our formal wardrobes and elegant evening.

As with Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, Daniel and I were dressed-to-the-nines and color-coordinated. Daniel had been by my place a couple weeks prior to see the color of my top so he could color-match it to his outfit.

Daniel work black trousers with a plum-colored dress shirt, a purple and plum striped tie and a black, striped dinner jacket. He also wore his favorite pointy shoes (that made two of us). He also wore bling: not one, but two diamond anniversary rings that he received from his husband, Edgardo (who graciously let me borrow Daniel for the evening).

I wore exactly what I listed in my previous post entitled: Getting Girly for the Gala. I refrained from wearing any of the items I bought for this outfit until last evening. To recap, I wore a plum cardigan sweater wiith ruffled neckline and cuffs from Anne Fontaine with a matching camisole, a box pleat skirt from Milly in black silk, a pair of black Wolford Neon Glanz super-glossy hosiery, and of course, the best for last, my brand new black patent 'Rolando' stiletto heels from Christian Louboutin. I also brought along my black clutch from bebe. My bling consisted of my Gucci bangle watch (it's been so long since I wore last that I didn't realize until later in the evening that the battery stopped working) and a delicate silver necklace with the letter 'M' (for yours truly) from Tiffany & Co.

Both Daniel and I had a great time at the opera and both commented how wonderful a time we had dressing up for the evening. When we worked together, we would both come to work dressed-to-the-hilt despite the business casual environment. It was so much fun. This is what makes life worth living for: to share company with loved ones and dress to kill.

Hopefully, we'll have another opportunity to be all decked out and color-coordinated. My next social engagement is a dinner with a friend. Though scheduled last minute, I haven't had the time to even consider what to wear. Whatever it will be, I'll know it will be fabulous.

Getting Girly for the Gala (Opera)

I have make this disclaimer: I lifted the title to this blog directly from a San Francisco Chronicle story by Cynthia Robbins. Yes, I'm directly plagiarizing her story title, but at least I'm being forthright about it. It's just great copy that has stuck in my mind for years given that the story ran in 2001 (I still recall the full page layout).

My gay husband and I (not to be confused with my gay boyfriend) will be going to the San Francisco Opera next month. I have already chosen my outfit and my beauty team. See below.

Shoes:
Christian Louboutin
Rolando in black patent, fall 2008
$700, Neiman Marcus Online

Legwear*:
Wolford
Neon 40 in black
Wolford Boutique, New York
* may opt for tanned bare legs in lieu of hosiery

Skirt:
Milly
Box Pleat Skirt in black, fall 2008
$325, Saks.com

Top:
Anne Fontaine
Parfaitelaine cardigan sweater in amethyst violet wool
with ruffled neckline and cuffs with matching camisole, fall 2008
Anne Fontaine, San Francisco (415) 677-0911

Bag:
bebe
Leather Logo Clutch in black
$149, bebe Collections, San Francisco, (415) 227-9910

Timepiece:
Gucci
large bangle watch, silver with silver face
purchased in January 2000 from Gucci San Francisco

Jewelry:
tbd

Perfume:
Be de Boucheron Eau de Parfum
$110 (1.7 oz), from Nordstrom City Centre, Westfield Mall, San Francisco

Hair:
Cut and color scheduled
Kendra
WAK Shack, San Francisco
(415) 255-8554 http://www.wakshack.com

Facial & Brow Wax:
Heather
WAK Shack, San Francisco
(415) 255-8554 http://www.wakshack.com
best brow wax in San Francisco, if not the Bay Area

Makeup:
tbd

Manicure & Pedicure:
Susan
Glen Park Nails, San Francisco
(415) 585-6844
does the best acrylic French nails ever, complete with gel UV "easy-bake oven" top coat
 

Un-Boxed

What's in a box, I ask?

More than the contents if you are a devotee of Apple. Apple fans are well acquainted with the company's design philosophy which extends to not just the products themselves--the iPhone, the MacBook, or even the connecting wires such as the MagSafe power adapters--but to the product containers themselves.

 

Apple designers put a lot of thought into the design of product box that accompanies each and every Apple product--from computers to iPods to headphones. Each box is different and in so cases, even open differently than your average cardboard box.

In turn, Apple customers have recognized this effort. So much so that there are even people who collect Apple product boxes. On YouTube, you can find tons of videos showing the unboxing of products, typically technology gadgets. But, I believe these types of videos started with Apple products since Steve Jobs is so obsessive about marketing. The lowly product box demonstrates the marketing genius and savvy of Steve Jobs and company.

Well, what does this have to do with fashion?

As you all know, I recently purchased my first pair of Christian Louboutin heels. I've been pining for the 'Rolando' pumps since the style was introduced last fall. I was estatic when I found the style available on the Neiman Marcus web site. I waited with bated breath for my precious shoes to arrive in the mail and could not wait to see the pumps I so admired from afar.

So could you imagine my dismay when I open the cardboard shipping box and pulled out this?

This is the box that held what is now, by 2008 pricing, the most expensive pairs of shoes that I have purchased. It's an ugly brown box made of what appears to be the least expensve materials. It's Just your average brown box. Not even the shoe dust bag is all that great either. My Cesare Paciotti shoe bags are made from finer material.

Now, compare the Christian Louboutin shoe box shown above to the Louis Vuitton box shown below:

 

This is the box that holds my very cute Vuitton pony hair Mary Janes with the cream and brown check pattern design of Louis Vuitton. The design and materials of the box are evoke luxury and a well-crafted product (even if it was made by a machine). The inner box holding the shoes takes just a tiny bit of effort to pull out as it's a snug fit, not unlike closing the door to a luxury automobile.

It may not be immdiately apparent from my photograph, but I assure you that the people at Louis Vuitton have put nearly the same amount of effort designing their product boxes as Apple has.

However, my opinion of the Christian Louboutin box only intensifies my perception that while he is a great designer, his shoes speak to a mass-market, almost commodity product--a commodity product available to any and all who can afford them.

I don't dispute that the French designer creates some of the best, if not, the best designed shoes that women have had the opportunity to wear or covet lust. But, I don't fully buy into the illusion as his presentation is incomplete unlike Apple or Louis Vuitton.

The shoes point to outsourced manufacturing as all the Louboutin heels I have held in my hand all say: "Made in Italy" stamped into his trademark red soles.

I fear that Christian  Louboutin may be some marketing fabrication of Anna Wintour or some other fashion mogul. Could he be like Hagan Dazs ice cream: A German sounding name, but really just ice cream made in New Jersey.

Why are his shoes made in France? Are there no shoe manufacturing facilities in France? As someone of Italian heritage, I should be so honored that a presigitious French designer would chose Italy to manufactur his shoes--it's where my shoes from Cesare Paciotti, Gucci, and Dolce & Gabbana are made.

Or, is it simply that Monsieur Louboutin is no different that any other profit-driven mongul who wants to spend as little money and effort on the mere packaging that will be discard anyway.

Remember this: Steve Jobs of Apple is a BILLIIONAIRE. According to a business publication, Apple has about 18 BILLION dollars in the bank and is expected to surpass the cash holding of Microsoft.

Equally, Louis Vuitton is known for it's luxury status and is among the most expensive luxury products on the market. It's leather monogram handbag has to be the number-one selling purse of all time, world-wide. So much so that there is a thriving counterfeit market for knock-offs. As I have shown above, LVMH takes great care in how its products are presented to its customers and the world.

In short, I'm greatly disappointed that Christian Louboutin product presentation is so ordinary. Even my new trainers that I bought at the Skechers outlet in San Francisco came in a better and more thoughtfully designed shoe box.

I love the design of my new Rolando's and I am sure that I will buy more pairs of Christian Louboutins. However, I refuse to have blind faith and buy fully into the fantasy.

Fears of Becoming An Armchair Fashionista Diverted

I have felt for the past three or four months that I have been in danger of becoming an armchair fashionista--one who simply writes about fashion than one wears it. There are a number of contributing factors: one has been the flailing economy and another being my tenuous work situation (also attributed to the economy).

I don't want reinforce the notion or belief that practioners of fashion and style are always equated with conspicious consumption and designer labels. As with the evolution of French food, those who make more with a limited budget are often more fashionable than those with unlimited discretionary spending. A good friend of mine is a case in point. True haute couture consumers may be the exception.

I have either pulled myself back from the ledge or I have sunk deeper into the dark depths of financial and moral hell.

Much like character Gollum from J.R.R. Tolken's book, the Hobbit, with a selfish glee, I am pleased to announce that I have finally added Monsieur Christian Louboutin to my stable of premium footwear.

Yes, I finally bought a pair of Christian Louboutins!

I have been lusting after the 'Rolando' style since it was introduced last fall, but I searched in vain to find my size (since Louboutin's generally run small) either through the retail stores, online or via the Louboutin boutiques in New York or L.A.

When I came upon the my precious shoes while perusing Neiman Marcus Online,  I immediately seized the opportunity and bought the Christian Louboutin 'Rolando' style in patent black in true instant gratification style.

I want to revel in my retail therapy rather than regret. Hopefully, you won't see me in my Louboutins while hawking for loose change or dollars on the streets of San Francisco.

Reaching New Heights: Delish Heels for Fall 2008

Though I'm tall, I'm no stranger to sky high heels. Who doesn't love-love-love tall heels. And fall 2008 should prove to be the season for super skyscraper tall heels. I have yet to scour the web and the glossies for the latest selections in tall footwear, but I promise you, I will.

Though I barely had the time to digest the gigantic September issue of Vogue (I have to admit it's the first that I've bought in years), my eye immediately zeroed in on this delicious pair of Christian Louboutin's on page 763, in the spread entitled 2-for-1 Special. In the back of Wintour's fall bible, the Details list the shoes as Alti. I Googled them and found them here on the Luisa Viaroma web site.

I don't care if I'm taller than Yao Ming! It just means that I'll have to date someone the likes of Phil Dalhassuer from the U.S. Olympic beach volleyball team who stands tall at 6'9".

If you've read my blog at all, you'll know my favorite phrase:

I want, I neED, I HAVE TO HAVE THEM!!

Down the Garden Path

On Monday, I got all dolled up for a morning meeting. My outfit included a camel BCBG cashmere turtleneck sweater paired with a bebe double-vented pencil skirt and my Dolce & Gabbana square-toe, brown patent pumps with eel skin trim. I paired the ensemble with my Dior saddle bag since the trim on both the bag and shoes was a somewhat similar shade of camel. I still had a decent faux tan left over from the past several days of back-to-back applications of self tanning instant-bronze lotion.

Of course, my shoes took center stage as the additional height made me look Amazonian (I stood in four-and-a-half inch heels!) That day I received two enthusiastic compliments from women at two different times. The latter of which I sensed a bit of envy.

Therefore, with a recession looming and the price of good shoes nearing four-figure price tags, let me issue a word of caution for all you would-be buyers:

Save your money. It would be much better spent if you invested it in the stock market or placed it a mutual fund.

I, however, have gone down the garden path in my compulsion to acquire high-priced footwear and build a great wardrobe.  I have acted not much different than the character Gollum from the Lord of the Rings: "my precious, my precious." Or, in my case, it's: "I want, I neeeeed, I HAVE TO HAVE IT!"

At this time, it appears that I’m not alone in this line of thinking. In the blog post, If You Stop Buying $800 Shoes, Their Price Will Lower, which recently appeared in New York Magazine’s fashion blog “The Cut,” the writer argues that price of luxury shoes--particularly those from Christian Louboutin, which are among the most expensive--might drop in price if consumers collectively stop buying them. What a thought!

I highly doubt it.

Luxury shoe prices have become like San Francisco real estate: prices never drop; they only remain steady before rising again. Also, Christian Louboutin is the “It shoe designer” of now who has superseded former must-have brands Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik (both of which are conspicuously absent in my shoe wardrobe.)

Luxury shoes are no different that flying first class or driving a nice car versus a Toyota. As the saying goes: "It's hard to go back." And, it is.

NY's FIT to host Christian Louboutin exhibit

The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York is featuring an exhibit of Christian Louboutin's beautiful shoes entitled "Sole Desire: The Shoes of Christian Louboutin," which marks the first museum showing by the French footwear designer. The show features shoes from the Museum's collection and from that of the designer.  The exhibit will be on display from today through April 19th. The Museum at FIT is located at the corner of 7th and 27th Avenues in New York.

(I would like to thank the FIT PR department for providing the photos from the collection)

New shoes for Spring 2008, part II

Spring 2008 Shoes

Here's a little flash presentation of new shoes. Unfortunately, I had to pull the audio soundtrack since the slide show would begin automatically with the accompanying music when ever my web site is accessed. I suppose I'll have to learn Flash to make a proper video so you can start it when you want (like YouTube) rather than it starting automatically as it does now.

 

Wet 'n Wild Weather Makes for Good Recon

For those of us living in Northern California, we have been subjected to constant and sometimes, as was the case on Friday, torrential downpours. Of course that didn't stop me from hitting the local watering hole after work on Friday for a little somethin' somethin' with my friends.

On Saturday, I visited the Sunhee Moon boutique in the Mission to buy a new umbrella (I had spied their window displays from across the street while walking home one evening after work). From this one utilitarian item--that had a cool design--I was suddenly hit with inspiration. My brain synapses began to fire as I began devising a wardrobe to go with the umbrella. I'm not sure if anyone is as crazy as me to begin their outfit with an umbrella (!), but that's me [I've learned that culinarian icon Alice Waters often found inspiration in both the mundane and the exotic from the biography I have been reading about her and her restaurant Chez Panisse. You'd be surprised to learn the similarities between Haute Couture designers and Haute Cuisine chefs in terms of inspiration].

I had a fairly good idea of the pieces that I wanted so after I got home, I began to do a bit of research on the web to see what the local retailers might have to offer towards building my new outfit. The next day, I would set out in search of them.

On Sunday, I hit the our local zocalo of shopping, namely, Union Square. I found Sunday to be a perfect day for a reconnaissance mission as it was drizzling rain and not too many shoppers were out and about, particularly the locals.

Before starting, however, I first had to make a brief detour to Barney's New York to see their Christian Louboutin section.  Just as I have would have guessed, being mid January and all, nary a new Loubou was in sight save for the fall 2007 leftovers and a barely a few, if any, of the new brightly-hued heels for  the forthcoming spring season. January is always a weird month for shopping as retailers dump the remains of their fall collections with super deep discounts and only a smattering of spring offerings are on display. And, not every brand offers a "cruise collection" as was the case last winter when I bought my Gucci Cruise Collection Sunset wedges.

Back on course, I headed to the flagship Banana Republic store on Grant Street to peruse the selections. However, I was a bit mortified to find the women's department in the basement level (it's been a while since my last visit). I whipped out my iPod Touch, for which I use more as PDA than an iPod, to pull up the item names I have saved to my shopping list and set about finding them. I made mental notations as I carefully evaluated each piece: a coat, a pair of shoes, a shirt. As often is the case, the colors weren't as vibrant as those I remembered from the web site.

Next up, was Neiman-Marcus.

But first!

I had to make another pit stop to visit Anne Fontaine.

I love Anne Fontaine! I found one or two beautiful, crisp white tops that would go nicely with several of pieces in my wardrobe.

On the road again, I went up one block to Neiman Marcus. I made an ever so brief stop, a minute only, to the shoe department on the second floor. Nada. I made my way to the contemporary section to review the Theory and Elie Tahari sections. I found a nice trench coat from Elie Tahari. Good shape, nice color, but, was a bit too casual--it had a hoodie--as I wanted something more dressy.

Onwards, I went across the street to Macy's. I really detest shopping at Macy's as it's akin to shopping at Ross. I've had better customer service from Home Depot. Unfortunately, the gigantic Macy's in Union Square has sizable collections of contemporary labels. In the Calvin Klein section, I found a nearly identical coat as the one I had inspected at Banana Republic. The design and color were almost identical save for the hardware. And the price: identical. I thought to myself: same outsourced manufacturing plant?

By this time, I was a bit pooped and wanted to enjoy my remaining Sunday afternoon with relaxation rather than foraging some more at Saks, Bloomies and Nordstrom. I'll hit them next week---after pay day when I'm flush with cash (wink, wink).