Flying with Heels: Travel Diary

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ShoeWoo

ShoeWooShoeWoo -750 Lexington Ave. at 59th Street | New York, NY | Phone: (212) 486-8094 | Website: http://www.shoewoo.com/ |

Have you ever dreamed of a true shoe wonderland? A wonderful, whimsical place full of fabulous footwear that invites you to luxuriate in your unabashed love for stilettos, pumps and boots? Well my friends, someone has taken that fantasy and turned it into a spectacular reality, and this dream come true is called ShoeWoo.

The newest store, which happens to be the third of its kind, just opened on October 1st 2009 in Manhattan on 59th and Lexington and we couldn’t resist stopping by to check it out. In just the few days since it had opened its doors we had already heard such amazing things about it that we knew it was not a place to be missed. Call it shopper’s intuition.

Not only is ShoeWoo a fantasy for shoe-lovers, it is unlike any shoe store we have ever visited. It is literally the Wonderland of footwear and you half expect to see Alice and the white rabbit walk through the doors at any moment. The space contains two levels, with the ground floor hosting not only a column that looks like it is built with shoes, but a giant glossy pump hung high above shoppers’ heads. There is even a plush swing and a giant velvet curtain against one wall. Shoes from brands like Rachel Rachel Roy, Boutique 9, Joan&David, Anne Klein and Nine West are showcased in intricately decorated cabinets as well as on a revolving display upon which a number of shoes spin slowly in beautifully choreographed motion. As if the rest of the store wasn’t hypnotizing enough… Read More »

Shoegasm

Shoegasm-71 8th Ave. between 13th and 14th Street | New York, NY 10014 | Phone: (212) 691-2091 | Website: http://www.shoegasm.com/Store/Home.html |

store-front1
Though it rained heavily all day, we didn't let that stop us from shoe-store hunting in the city! Last week, we dropped by Shoegasm, in one of their three locations in the city, on 8th Ave. between 13th and 14th St. Inside, the brick walls, large antique mirrors and embellished chairs made for a cozy atmosphere. However, instead of sitting down, relaxing, and simply taking in our surroundings (shoes, shoes, and more shoes!!!) we walked around the store and checked out hands-on all of the different styles of shoes (and there were plenty of different styles to keep us busy!) from pumps to flats. Read More »

Tuccia Di Capri at Henri Bendel

Tuccia Di Capri at Henri BendelHenri Bendel-712 Fifth Avenue at 56th Street | New York, NY 10019-4108 | (212) 247-1100 |

Tuccia Di Capri available through Labor Day 2009

Tuccia Di Capri, the shoe brand known for delicate and unique sandals, is taking a slight divergence from their boutique located on Pennsylvania Avenue in South Beach, Miami. From the start of the summer through Labor Day, a few in-house cobblers from the brand will be displaying their talents in Henri Bendel on 5th Ave, New York City.

Strolling down 5th Ave at 56th Street, the process of shoemaking is visible from Henri Bendel's front window so not surprisingly, we were too curious not to stop inside and check it out! Read More »

Second Time Around

storefront1Second Time Around – 262 Mott St | New York, NY 10012 | Phone: (212) 965-8415 | Website:Secondtimearound.net

Designer-vintage chain Second Time Around opened their 19th location this week on one of the more mellow streets in SoHo.  We attended their launch party last Tuesday, which was hosted by Alex Van Kempen, from the Real Housewives of New York City. We were also informed that Anne Hathaway showed up but left before we got there (darn!). The interior of the store was very downtown-chic with brick walls, free hanging fixtures and an entire wall clad in a black and white mod-fashion portrait.

All the pre-existing Second Time Around stores are concentrated mainly in the Boston Area, but the boutique looks very much at home in downtown SoHo.  The store sells vintage, all designer label, current, and new in appearance items. The pieces must be dry cleaned in order to be put on the floor for sale. Clothing is lightly used and boutique items are also available, which are new with tags still intact. "With this economy, our concept is great – people want to buy amazing clothes but don't feel right paying the prices they maybe once did. This is where we come in", Second Time Around rep Jeff Wexler said.

The charming boutique features items such as Chanel shoes for $148, YSL heels for $248, a Henri Bendel beaded clutch for $24, a Missoni dress for $368, and a large selection of Diane Von Furstenberg dresses from $98 to $160. These items decrease in price the longer they are out on the floor – so you can get extremely lucky shopping! Read More »

Shoe Bliss

Shoe BlissShoe Bliss – 819 N. La Cienega Blvd. | West Hollywood, CA 90069 | Phone: 310-358-9454 | 1pm-8pm Tues-Sat, 1pm-6pm Sun. Closed Mon. | Website: www.shoebliss.com

With a name like Shoe Bliss, you know it's got to be good. This newly opened boutique in West Hollywood offers shoes from much beloved and must-have brands like Report Signature Collection, Issac Mizrahi, Bill Blass, Terra Plana, Roger Vivier, and Tyler by Richard Tyler as well as Corto men's shoes at deeply discounted prices. (Recession or no recession, a girl can always appreciate a good deal!) But, as a girl cannot dress on shoes alone, Shoe Bliss has also stocked its shelves with the likes of Kasil denim, Jenny Han dresses and tops, Read More »

Kathryn Amberleigh

Kathryn Amberleigh - New York CityKathryn Amberleigh -  219 Mott St | New York, NY 10012 | Phone: (212) 625-3933 | Website: kathrynamberleigh.com

You'll find footwear designer Kathryn Amberleigh's debut and eponymous shoe store nestled in a cozy space located in a part of Manhattan's SoHo section that's slightly removed from the bustling crowds of tourists and surrounded by colorful and captivating boutiques. It stands out along the street, in no small part due to its interior, which takes a very no-nonsense approach to displaying its contents: the clean, white walls are bare from the ceiling down until you reach about calf-high where on either side a single white shelf displays a row of shoes above another row along the floor.

But the shoes are really all the decoration this space needs. Read More »

Iris

827 Washington St, near Little W. 12th | New York, New York | 10014 | Phone: 212.645.0950

Iris shoe store is located at the edge of the posh and celebrity-riddled meatpacking district, the perfect location for a company that lays claim to the title of shoe manufacturer for some of fashion’s elite: Marc Jacobs, Chloe, Viktor & Rolf, John Galliano, Paul Smith and Veronique Branquinho. It opened a year and a half ago and this is the first one in the U.S., joining its sister stores in other fashion capitols of the world such as Paris, London, Milan, Moscow, and Dubai. Read More »

Loriana's Shoe Boutique

Loriana's Shoe Boutique | Washington Town Center | 2360 Rt 33, Suite 111-A | Robbinsville, NJ | 08691

Located in a quaint shopping center in Robbinsville, NJ, Loriana’s shoe boutique is certainly not a place be missed if you find yourself in the area. Not only is her store brand new, it’s fresh, fun, and has a wonderfully unique assortment of both shoes and purses. We’re not talking unique as in artsy-fartsy styles that you’ll never wear, either. Far from it! Instead, Loriana’s carries high-end and exceptional quality shoes from brands you’re not likely to find in any local department stores.

Loriana, the cheerful and impeccably dressed owner, understands that as a new shoe-boutique owner it’s almost impossible to compete with the ‘big guys’ on selection. Instead she has utilized the freedom she has (and that they often don’t) to stock brands that may have smaller runs and be lesser-known, but that are no less impressive than those you’d find at a Neiman Marcus or a Bloomingdales. Read More »

David's

David\'s Shoes

373 North Bedford Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | (310) 273-4075

What woman doesn't love to reward herself from time to time with say, a fabulous pair of shoes, or sweets… or both? At David's in Beverly Hills you can do just that. Shop a tiptop selection of mid-priced shoes (a few high-end too) and indulge in baked goods made fresh every day by Jeanine, co-owner and wife of David. Read More »

London Sole

London Sole1331 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90403 | (310)-255-0937

Looking for the perfect flat? Maybe a classic round toe? A trendy peep-toe? Whatever silhouette you might be in search of, Jane Winkworth has designed. In our whirlwind trip around Southern California we found the absolute best selection of ballet flats, and much to our joy, all in one place. London Sole is the creation of Winkworth; a Chelsea based British shoe designer, and current Managing Director and lead designer.

Located on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, London Sole shares a store front with many other unique shops on this street. The Santa Monica location opened four years ago and caters to variety of woman ranging in age from 10 years old to 80 years young, but most popular to women from 20 to 30. Read More »

Quote of the Day

"The woman is carrying her clothes, but it is the shoe that carries the woman."

- Christian Louboutin