Here I was thinking that I could take it easy, enjoy NYC Fashion Week and take my time crafting a wrap post for the end of the week. Then Imelda’s friend, tormentor and world-renowned fashion photographer Sonny Vandevelde starts posting his (brilliant) behind-the-scene’s photographs. ‘One for Imelda’, ‘Imelda how cool are these?’ and suddenly I’m like Whitney in need of a crack fix, I find myself looking, then thinking, and now posting.
Damn you Sonny, damn you straight to hell in Crocs!
Style.com’s Laird Borrelli-Persson gave Alexandre Herchcovitch's SS09 collection a lukewarm review “the collection might not win over the centrist mainstream, but it had a quirky appeal”. Agreed…sorta. In the rush to post her / his review, Laird should have chillaxed and taken a closer look at these skirt lifting shoes.
If anyone asks you to explain the meaning of an ‘architectural heel’ then direct them to Imelda’s post on Alexandre Herchcovitch's SS09 collection. Aside from Yuima Nakazato’s award winning heels, the Brazilian designers beige gladiatorial sandals with it’s two intersecting heel pieces are a stunning design feat reminiscent of an early Jan Jansen. Herchcovitch presented the heel across 3 (mainstream) constructions - sock bootie, sandal and pump. But it was the bootie with the beige gladiatorial upper and the contrasting slouchy sock in a palette of dusty pink, pale lime and black that forced me to sit down and post.
My only criticism is that the proportions of the heel pieces look a little bulky, but Imelda’s a cheap despot who refused to travel on a commercial flight to NYC and I’m working off photographs. So I should withhold my final judgement until I’ve seen these beauts on my gnarly bunion riddled trotters.
Photo credits Sonny Vandevelde
I definitely don't heart the heel, but I love the idea of stuffing a gent's pocket-puff sock into one's clunkies.
Anthropologie had a vaguely interpretive (see how I'm hedging?) version of this a while ago--with a sweet rosebud fabric.
Posted by: Miss Cavendish | September 09, 2008 at 01:24 PM
Horrible, except for the Jewish star. Are these shoes Jewish or what?
Posted by: Sister Wolf | September 09, 2008 at 02:09 PM
Horrible, except for the Jewish star. Are these shoes Jewish or what?
Posted by: Sister Wolf | September 09, 2008 at 02:10 PM
MC - The concept is far from revolutionary but it's been the most exciting shoe I've seen this week.
SW - Maybe...that's why I posted the super close up.
Posted by: Imelda Matt | September 09, 2008 at 02:19 PM
Applaud the heel, but the puffy sock thing I am not so sure about. There are some horrible knock-offs of those puffy sock-ish Chanel sandals around, seen on a certain orange, scantily clad style of lass - the puffy sock has been tarred with the brush of cheap tartiness for me!
Posted by: Skye | September 09, 2008 at 02:59 PM
they look way better close up than far away. i love the cream coloured one but the pink is borderline tacky.
Posted by: adreamer | September 09, 2008 at 05:12 PM
I'm with the stuffing of fat bunion trotters into the litle beauts.
Posted by: Make Do & Mend | September 09, 2008 at 06:14 PM
I was so overcome by the clothes that I completely missed these hot heels. I'm sure I could train myself to walk in them!
Posted by: Carl Starling | September 09, 2008 at 06:32 PM
Skye - I agree, puffy sock can go one either ways but it ALL about the heel.
dreamer - yes from a distance they look 'club foot'
MM - They'll look brilliant in an editorial shoot.
Carl - LOL
Posted by: Imelda Matt | September 09, 2008 at 06:52 PM
Quite experimental but interesting anyway.
Posted by: Miss Glitzy | September 09, 2008 at 08:42 PM
I think you've uncovered a bombshell of a trend- rips off's will be in Mollini quicker than you can say Brazilian what?
Sorry I haven't commented in a while, I've missed plenty I can see.
LM
x
Posted by: Lady Melbourne | September 09, 2008 at 08:53 PM
oooooooohhh, but wait, check the post
I just did now
more shoes for you to gobble up
:-)
Posted by: sonny | September 09, 2008 at 10:49 PM
I like how wacky they are. They take a little getting used, to, but the heels are alright with me. I'm getting to the point where I'm in love with anything wacky and off the beaten path, and these are just that. I think they appeal much more when they are on the model.
Posted by: enc | September 10, 2008 at 12:46 AM
ooh, i had a feeling sv was talking to you... he always takes the best shots!
there's a whole bunch of 'for matt' pics going on... and ive saved every one.
Posted by: lady coveted | September 10, 2008 at 02:03 AM
LC - yup us Aussies tend to stick together.
Posted by: Imelda Matt | September 10, 2008 at 08:30 AM