Posts Tagged ‘Jimmy Choo’

The State of Luxury

February 19th, 2010

Louis Vuitton Logo

Louis Vuitton Logo

Last week I got caught up watching CNN’s Luxury Life reporting on the status of luxury retailers in the current economy. What really got my attention was the new marketing strategy CNN was reporting that Louis Vuitton is about to embark upon.
The new LV campaign will focus on the details that go in to creating luxury.
My first reaction was, “Do consumers care?” Don’t the people buying Louis Vuitton already know that they are paying for the craftsmanship?

Rodarte for Target

Rodarte for Target

But then the report went on to say that Patek Philippe has been minimally hurt by the recession. The same was true for Hermes. Basically, the true luxury houses haven’t been hurt as much by the recession as the mid-level luxury retailers.
At a time when we’ve recently seen Escada bought out, and we are waiting to see what happens at Prada, it might be time to think about what is luxury and what is high-end fashion. It’s no secret that Prada has been significantly hit by the recent recession. Reports are that Prada is nearly $1 billion in debt and will soon need outside financing.

This is also a time when we are watching fashion darlings like Rodarte and Jean Paul Gaultier design for Target. And then there is Sonia Rykiel and Jimmy Choo designing for H&M. This makes it even more transparent to the consumer that name and design are different from quality and craftsmanship.

So will learning more about what goes into creating luxury help you decide to buy it? Or is the bottom line how something looks?
For me, this makes it all clear – there is luxury and there is fashion. Both have their place. But only rarely do those two ever cross paths. And when they do, the price is steep.

Editor’s note: I am very excited for the Rodarte collection at Target! I have been impressed with the quality of the designer offerings so far at Target.

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Those Shoes are How Much?

February 1st, 2010

It seems like just when I was getting used to seeing $700 price tags on shoes, here comes a season where $900 plus isn’t out of the ordinary. The past few years have seen a continuous push upward.

Christian Louboutin Resort 2010 $995

Christian Louboutin Resort 2010 $995

Will we get used to the new prices?
Is there a limit to what we will pay for amazing shoes?

I’ve asked myself these questions many times, but at $900+ I need an answer.

I’m not cheap when it comes to shoes. In fact, I love shoes. My modest collection includes Louboutins, Pradas, Choos, Ferragamos, and (my favorite shoe guy) Stuart Weizmans. (Sadly I cannot get my fat feet into Manolo Blahniks).

But are they worth it?

Here’s why I ask the question: Every so often I’ll pick up a pair of shoes for under $200. Then I will get tons of compliments on them. When I go for shoes in the $200 or so range, I usually go for something unique. I think I’ll only wear them occasionally. Then I fall completely in love and wear them as often as I can work them into outfits.

Mohop Sandal $140

Mohop Sandal $140


My favorite Chicago shoe boutique for unique statement shoes is City Soles and their sister Niche. For online fabulously original shoes, Kindred Soles is the spot. It’s a UK website, but they will ship to the US.

Right now I’m anxiously awaiting the arrival of the affordable Mohops I ordered. If you haven’t seen these yet, you should check them out. They are the answer to the calf-laced look at the Spring 2010 Chanel show.

Meanwhile, I’ll wear a pair of $700 Ferragamos secretly hoping for a nod, and no one notices.

So when are they worth it?
Fit?
Comfort?
The detailing that stands out to only you and other fashion addicts?

Since the recession hit, I have scaled back my shoe buying.
I now use the $100 rule.
Oh no, not $100 per pair of shoes. It’s $100 per outfit the shoes go with! Justification is, after all, the cornerstone of style.

Do you have a limit?

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High Heels, Big Bags

December 21st, 2009

In the past few weeks, there have been some wonderful posts about the fashion good of 2009 and the bad of 2009. But as we close the first decade of 2000, I wanted to revisit one of my first ever posts – Fashion Identities of the Decades.

Christian Louboutin Slingback

Christian Louboutin Slingback

To sum it up:
70s – feathered hair and tight pants
80s – shoulder pads
90s – grunge

This decade? – Decadent Accessories

I believe that when fashion minded people look back on this decade, it will be remembered for fabulous shoes and bags.

The red soles of Louboutins be this decade’s trademark like the Chanel suits for the 1920s. This was the decade when guys with no fashion knowledge said things like “you know, those red-soled shoes.” Each season Louboutin seemed to come up with something new for us to get excited about. He recreated Mary Janes and allowed us to wear glitter on our feet with a straight face. With respect to Manolo Blanik and Jimmy Choo, the past 10 years belong to Christian Louboutin.

Hermes Birkin Bag

Hermes Birkin Bag

But the resurgence of Hermes symbolizes even more decadence. The Birkin bag seems to be more iconic now than it was when Jane Birkin began carrying it in 1984. Behind the Birkin goes several luxury bag lines. Pick your favorite: Gucci, Prada, Mulberry, etc. And as we all started carrying enormous bags, I recently read that, “Jane Birkin attributes her tendinitis to years of carrying the heavy bag and now tends to carry a small leather sporran.“

So basically from 2000 through 2009, we overspent, overindulged, wore heels too high and toted bags too big. But it was great fun!

Of course things have changed over the past two years. Most people have adjusted their spending habits and have become more selective on luxury purchases. We are still buying, but buying less.
Predictions for the next decade?

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