THE SOPHISTICATE

Awake at night, fretting about who’s going to be the next big thing in luxury footwear? Why would you be, Imelda does all the fretting and chain smoking for you.

LA isn’t the first place that comes to mind when I think about luxury footwear. But that could be about to change after discovering LA based Omelle (ähm' elle). The brand was started by ‘two shoe-obsessed designers’, Cherise Angelle and Nicole LaFave. Both hail from LA’s prestigious Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and have created a partnership dedicated to serving the sophisticated shopper, a lady who not only speaks in style but continually lives in it - you’ll have to excuse Imelda’s paraphrasing website scraps but the girls are debuting their first collection so I don’t have a lot to go on.

Angelle has worked in luxury product placement, while LaFave has honed her talents in graphic and knitwear design, working as an art director and self-employed designer—each woman offers a unique and varied background which helps to guide their direction. While Angelle appeals to the high-end sophisticate with a penchant for pumps and pearls, LaFave draws from her artistic roots, setting a new pace in fashion.

At Imelda’s age it takes more than one shoe to lift my skirt however any designer who uses a chain of words like ‘sophisticate’, ‘pumps’ and ‘pearls’ catches the attention of the Despotic Queen. “Yum Yum, fire up my respirator, I’m about to fret and smoke some more”.

Comments

[Skye]

If only I had someone to outsource my fretting to, I need a Yum Yum of my own, methinks! I gave some loose change to the Sea Shepherds (those crazy Japanese Whaler-chasing dudes) because they promised to vent my frustration for me and ram some Japanese whaling ships on my behalf. An irresistible offer!

PS. pretty shoe.

[Sharon rose]

Hi there-totally love the Georgina Goodman shoe, divine!!

[Sharon rose]

oops, sorry about all of those!

[lady coveted]

it's so weird that there isn't more amazing footwear coming from la... it's the only city where you can wear just about any shoe, because you never have to walk. not like here in europe where just the regular walkways are obstacle courses with all those cobblestones.

[Make Do & Mend]

LOVE the GG shoe - pure shoetastic gorgeousness.
the Omelle numbers are very streching design wise and look hot to trot.

[enc]

That shoe is very eye-catching. I love how unique it is.

It's clearly a skirts-only shoe, though. I'd like to see what else is in their lineup.

[Sal]

Love that shape ... curious to see it on a foot.

[Jill]

The G Goodman shoe is lovely. The Omelle shoe is different and I, for one, am very very interested.

[winnie]

I can't stop staring at that shoe, the shape of it is awesome.
I am nearly nearly finished with The beautiful fall...did far too much eating/shopping in HK for me to finish it on holiday!

[Imelda Matt]

Skye - Perhaps I should clone her?

RS - It was a last minute thought and I've been meaning to use it for ages.

LC - Yes you'd think it would be that way!

MM - I'm wondering how it stays on the foot.

Enc - me too, there's another flat sandal on their site but I wasn't crazy about.

Sal - me too.

Jill - I thinks it a case of watch this space.

Winnie - Yeah, your back!

[fashionherald]

the omelle is a promising beginning but she looks like a bit of a challenge, someone needs to take her out for a spin and see how she responds.

[Sister Wolf]

I'm just glad you're back in the saddle and feeling better.

[Rebecca]

What - are you doing all my chain smoking now? well I guess I'll jump on the snuff and pills bandwagon then.

[super kawaii mama]

That shoe is a thing of beauty to behold, but I have serious concerns about actually wearing it. That handle-like section looks like it could be destined to highlight all "weight distribution" problems and provide a lovely frame for the cankles.

[Imelda Matt]

FH - yes that's what I see, promise. I'll be interested to clap my peepers on the full range.

SW - Thanks, I'm taking it slowly.

Rebecca - I'm also on those, maybe your could try cutting :)

Mama - Women with cankles shouldn't be allowed to purchase shoes, let allow leave the house.

[PorcelainBlonde]

Loving that GG heel, it's beautiful.
I also really like the Omelle. The sculpture from the side is fantastic. If I was lucky enough to wear them, I think I'd spend all day twisting my feet around and smugly admiring them!

[susie_bubble]

An architectural feat.... by the by, I think I'm going to give up my Shoes, Shoes, Shoes section and just link it to you.... I can't fathom how you find so many wonderful designers...

[Imelda Matt]

PB - I could see you rocking out a number of your preppy looks in these heels.

SB - I think that's the greatest complement I've ever received.xxx

[sheryl]

whoelse but Imelda that does the puurfect job in shoe scouting/desginer spotting. r.e.s.p.e.c.t! all too yummy.

[fashion chalet]

Hey, thanks for stopping by, was wondering where you were off too. The competition ends Sept. 12th. They pick the top 20 finalists at this point (I think due to number of comments?) I'm not really sure... I hope I make it? Then after, voting begings on the Top 20 until Oct. 12 where 10 are eliminated, then from there one is chosen on Nov. 12th! <3

[Prêt à Porter P]

those look interesting.

[bronwyn]

All my life to be able to wear the shoe of the week without breaking my neck. I love the shoe, very elegant indeed!

[Lady Melbourne]

I am so glad you're back!
And what a wonderful come back, that shoe and those designers are divine. I love the Georgina Goodman shoe from your post above as well, I wish all my shoes were designed by her.
Life wasn't the same without you.
LM
x

[savvymode sg]

can always count on you for interesting shoes.

[WendyB]

Amazing!

[trend de la creme]

IMELDA, WHERE ARE YOU?? The blogosphere is a cold and lonely place without you :(

[The Seeker]

Thanks for dropping by hun.
Hope everything is ok.
Lovexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx