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New York Fashion Week: The Shoes

Only a few days into New York Fashion Week and there has already been such a multitude of shows. Designer’s collections for Spring ’09 have been paraded up and down each runway, some to accolades, some to mixed reviews, and occasionally a few to disappointment. Me? I’ve been attending to see the SHOES, dahling. Now while I don’t have time write about all of the runway shows, below are a few notable picks from Friday through Sunday and the shoes that were a part of them. Stay tuned for more as the week progresses and let me know if there are any you want to hear about!Friday

BCBGB Max Azria: Put ‘er in neutral! Paler shades like white, grey, and copper, especially in opalescent fabrics, ruled the runway but powerful brights like orange, juicy berry pinks, and rich shades of blue were mixed in as well.
The Shoes: I think just about every shoe was a platform, and the majority were in solid colors like white, grey and black.
To Take Away: Grey shoes of every shade were paired with just about any color outfit from those in darker purpley-blacks to juicy orange, royal blue and coppery-nude. A pair of charcoal grey shoes with a glint of shimmer or in patent leather will be a great alternative to harsh black for Spring.

Nicole Miller: The runway design itself alluded to the fact that the show would be colorful and whimsical. Baggy and free-flowing menswear inspired looks shared the runway with fun and vibrant prints. While there were a few form-fitting looks, the long hemlines and shift of focus from showing too much skin to covering up was prevalent.
Multicolored patterns were everywhere, the majority of which were made up of subdued garden shades or rich jewel tones rather than intense, eye-searing hues. Think orchid purple, yellow green, cerulean blue and persimmon. But neutrals like grey, khaki, and navy blue had their time in the spotlight too.
The Shoes: Strappy sandals in complementary colors like burnt orange, denim blue, and olive were paired with the bold prints. The menswear looks and pieces in neutral shades were often paired with shoes in Spring appropriate neutral shades like eggshell, canvas and copper.
To Take Away: When wearing prints in the Spring, instead of just opting for a neutral shade, find a pair of shoes that picks up one of the colors in the print. Don’t be afraid to wear these colorful shoes with a neutral top either, i.e. sandals in a dark shade of orange worn with a navy blue dress.

Rubin Singer: Modern and sophisticated, this label currently in its third season produced some beautiful if not immense looks. Everything seemed to feature oversized elements. Tailored jackets with bold details like jumbo lapels and large buttons, dresses with extra long trains of chiffon, bold prints, giant stitches on an otherwise tailored dress, excessively angular shoulders…the list goes on and on. The color palette was heavy on navy blue, off-white, grey and black but when there was color it was vibrant blue with hints of purple and orange.
The Shoes: It may come as no surprise that the majority of shoes were classic styles like peep-toes and elegant pumps in neutral shades, but shimmering gold shoes were a standout and would have matched any of his designs.
To Take Away: Hang onto those gold and silver shoes! Metallics are still a fabulous choice for neutrals. Also, you’ll do well to look for timeless and classic silhouettes such as ladylike pumps.

SATURDAY
Charlotte Ronson: Charlotte Ronson’s line exuded a youthful spirit and with the exception of showing a lot of leg was right in line with the majority of Spring’s designers in that she used lots of neutral color and prints with muted colors. She incorporated lace and sheer materials to lighten up a lot of her designs, and the rocker-chic look of Fall was easy to see.
The Shoes: Say hello to height! Her models wore platforms galore, many in shiny patent leather, but the look was offset by a neutral palette of stone grey, off-white, and black.
To Take Away: Height isn’t going anywhere, but to downplay the drama of platform sandals, shop for them in clean colors like ivory and grey. In line with the rock & roll theme, hardware like zippers and buckles are accoutrements to covet.

Rock & Republic: The theme of this show seemed to be ‘Long live rock & roll’. Long hemlines and colors other than black and white be damned. Rock & Republic wasn’t about subtlety when it came to spring style; short skirts ruled the runway and dramatic combinations included skin-tight leggings and tailored jackets. If nothing other than cohesive, it relied heavily on details like ruffles, lace, and hardware such as zippers and studs.
The Shoes: The color palette was easy to guess: black and white. Nothing incredibly inspiring here, but platform soles once again dominated.
To Take Away: If you’re going to do rock & roll chic, put yourself on a pedestal…literally.

SUNDAY

Lela Rose: Finally, some color! Primary shades of blue, red and yellow popped on her runway and even plaids made an appearance. Colors seemed so vibrant because of the sheen to the fabrics. Her looks were sophisticated and demure without being stuffy and a boxy silhouette gave many otherwise classic looks a fresh feel.

The Shoes: Black, navy, or grey peep-toe pumps. Very feminine and sophisticated.
To Take Away: Again, classic silhouettes will be the perfect accompaniment to a more prim, feminine season, especially in spring-appropriate materials like dupioni silk or canvas. Toned-down neutrals like bone, grey and navy will be de rigueur.

DKNY: The show started with prints galore, the majority of which used navy as a backdrop for yellow. As the show progressed, navy was replaced by bright blue, often paired with black for extra ‘pop’, and neon yellow replaced its subtler counterpart. Throw in some malmost neon pink and you had a very 80’s-inspired runway show.
The Shoes: 80’s inspired style calls for 80’s inspired shoes, right? Sporty sneaker-pumps were the main attraction here in often bold color combinations.
To Take Away: Not only will we continue to see neon, the sneaker-pump may be on it’s way back in. Pierre Hardy was on to something…

Diane Von Furstenberg: Light and feminine, this was a collection designed to flatter the female form. Cuts that complimented the body, weightless, flowing fabrics and beautiful jewel tones dominated and even the models seemed to be enjoying wearing the clothes. She incorporated a lot of bohemian, flower-child influences and some designs incorporated a tribal feel. Overall, the collection seemed to encapsulate the feel of spring perfectly.
The Shoes: Occasionally a bright poppy colored ankle wrap sandal complemented the bold prints or was paired with a solid color like white, and even fern green, brown, and nude sandals made appearances, but really it was gold that shone.
To Take Away: Gold is the perfect accessory for spring’s color palette including vivid prints, classic white, or darker shades like navy blue and black.

Miss Sixty: The sixties in Miss Sixty came out for an overtly bohemian theme. Plaids, stripes, and bold prints, (even print-screening) kept the eyes busy…if not tired them out. The eclectic color palette included combinations of black and yellow, orange and navy, bright blues, chocolate browns and multiple shades of green, and even rosy pink.
The Shoes: Perhaps one of the most interesting elements of the show was the shoes. Slouchy peep-toe booties in colorful suede like tangerine and yellow-green were ‘wrapped’ with a brown leather strap for a unique and bohemian look. Bright orange booties didn’t look a bit out of place. True to the era, platform sandals in browns, ivory and silver showed up and were even paired with knee-high socks. It was hard to miss the patent emerald green sandals with a ‘60’ on the front.
To Take Away: Peep-toe booties will not only be a Spring staple, but a slouchy, suede pair will be a fashion-forward complement to hippie, bohemian looks and even flowy dresses in floral prints.