Well Shod, Well Imformed

A BIRTHDAY BONUS OF BERNY DEMORE

The Despotic Queen’s birthday celebrations are done and dusted (of sorts). Firstly, I‘d like to thank the parents to the Despot and IM for making my Sweet 16^th so memorable.

Cards, tweets, emails and phone calls poured in from around the globe making the Despotic Queen feel every inch the pampered b’day princess. But before I get back to scorching the earth, Imelda would like to holla out to two special bloggers. Likkle Girl and Aus Style went above and beyond with their Birthday wishes (which is more than I can say for certain friends 2 the Despot) and deserve to be showered with my benevolence.

To my non web 2.0 friend who forgot to send well wishes please thank Likkle and Aus Style. It’s because of their generosity that I’ll be biting my merciless tongue of terror when we speak next.

As Likkle pointed out, I’ve already marked my birthday by conferring membership to the Order of Susan Boyle, but why stop with one act of kindness (don’t be alarmed it won’t last). Last week Alain Demore of Berny Demore emailed the Despotic Queen an EXCLUSIVE sneak peek of the duo’s A/W 09/10 collection and it’s time to share.

Berny Demore shoes always jumpstart my touchstone of tyranny but this season the sons of France have outdone themselves. Mock spat detail, contrasting piping and luxe fabrications are all part of the journey but the stitched western inspired rands are the stunning blaze of glory that make this their finest collection to date...now where did I leave those smelling salts?

THE BEAUTIFUL FALL

Despite the recession eating three of the four images, Imelda’s so happy with MY KAREN editorial I feel like clubbing a baby seal!

I’m contractually obliged to thank my creative partner and photographer extraordinaire, the very talented Emmanuel Giraud. Everything that could go wrong did and when the Despotic Queen flapped herself into a tyrannical rage Emu was always within arms reach to dish out a bitch slappin’ and provide some level headed perspective. Also earning her stripes for courage under fire was our talented hair and make-up artist Natasha Kruzychi. I can’t post without also thanking Miss Marian Simms, my Editor in chief, for trusting that the Despotic Queen would step up and deliver.

Enjoy.

Model: Katie Ball from Priscillas

YOU TASTE LIKE GLITTER MIXED WITH ROCK N’ ROLL

Last night I was shimmying around the Palace of Despotism squawking along to Lady Ga Ga’s ‘Boys Boys Boys’ “I like you a lot, lot, think you’re really hot, hot”. I’d just caught up on my blog reading and was getting down to the business of shoes when the urge to liberate my inner electro pop slut was too strong to fight. Unleashing my inner hooch were the bad boys of French fashion shoe house Berny Demore. Filed under dirty shame, Berny Demore to quote Imeldette Maire Pierre are “the most influential shoe designers in fashion for the past couple of years”, yet outside of France they’re relatively unknown – that’s about to change.

Prior to establishing their eponymous label Nicolas and Alain freelanced for a number of French powerhouses including, Gaultier, Frisoni and Celine (more can be read by CLICKING HERE).

Buoyed on a box of wine and a heavy helping of Lady Ga Ga. I demanded Yum Yum (who has a Masters degree in French) to get Alain (Demore) on the telephone. The security formalities cleared, he was ‘put through’ to the Despotic Queen.  Removing my customised ‘Paula Abdul FYG dazzling dangle pavé’ clip-on earring, I snatched the receiver “Bonjour mon eclaire” I slurred. “Bonjour Imelda” he replied.

“Kissey, kissey croissant” I giggled before launching into a pie eyed rendition of the 3^rd chorus of  “boys boys boys, we like boys in cars. Boys boys boys, buy us drinks in bars”, sadly that was the last thing I remember. Publicly I’ll blame it on stomach flu. Between us girls I was stonkered on Luudes and booze – textbook Judy Garland behaviour, not to worry!

Alain was polite enough to ‘forget’ my disgrace and this morning sent me a fresh batch of Berny Demore sweetness with a cheeky note “hope this finds you well”, nudge nudge wink wink.

By using luxury skins, trims and employing the finest Italian artisans, Berny Demore stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their higher profile peers (Kirkwood, Morris and Sanderson). My French may be merde and I’m a ruthless pop culture despot but I don’t mince words, footwear’s belle epoch is upon us and BD are standing on the precipice of greatness.

With the full spring/summer 09 collection tightly tucked under their berets, Alain and Nicolas have been kind enough to share a sneaky with us. Continuing to examine a series of juxtaposing ideas with their SS09 collection, BD remain true to the witty spirit of the brand.

Camel coloured booties with thick deck sider (boat shoe) lacing are juxtaposed with vinylite quarters. Conservative twin banded sandals are flippantly contrasted with Nu rave graffiti covered heels and footbeds. Le spirit of Studio 54 is alive with the baby blue sandal trimmed with gold studs and eyelets and the gold-knotted heel treatment would have Halston pitching a fit.

Geometric trims and caging are a reoccurring theme, as are gold and leopard (there goes me new panty girdle). Strong, sexy, femme and quintessentially a la France.

Alain and Nicolas, how’s about Miss Glitzy and I take you to The Killers and we’ll make out under the bleachers?

UNDERNEATH IMELDA'S SKIRT?

With the Despotic Queen getting her gypsy on tomorrow, I'm posting late in the day and for tomorrow. Here's a sample of the spring/summer 09 sneak peeks I have in-store over the coming days and a not so subtle reminder to nominate for 'Imelda's Footwear Designer of Year' award...you can either scroll to the next post or CLICK HERE.

BERNY DEMORE

WALTER STEIGER

CHRISSIE MORRIS

NICOLE BRUNDAGE

JEROME C. ROUSSEAU

LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES

I’ve been seduced and just when I thought the ‘pause had dried up my well of despotism too. I blame Sarkozy (everyone else is) for making adultery the new black. Recently Paree’s Berny Demore indecently propositioned Imelda, “would I do my bit for France?”, “What’s in it for me boys?” I asked as they popped opened the suit case…merde, oui, oui, OUI!!!

I swiftly closed the shutters, lifted my skirts and prayed to Our Lady of Montmartre that Monsieur Kirkwood would never discover my betrayal!!!

Over the years Gaultier, Frisoni and Céline have all benefited from the magic of Nicolas Berny and Alain Demore. For 3 years they designed under ‘Walk the Walk’ - a collection dedicated to youthful French rebellion. Information and images are scarce so I assume this was their experimental phase before evolving into their eponymous line.

Like their friendship that was born around the acquired differences of youth, a Berny Demore shoe is a relentless clash of ideas. The starting point for every collection is a playful examination of opposites - tradition and novelty, aristocracy and street culture, sport and seduction. There’s something inherently witty and poetic about their shoes, for us lay folk read Frenchness (you know like, Barbraness).

Produced by the finest Italian craftsmen Berny Demore shoes are the symbol of understated luxury - a concept pioneered by the daughters of France and misinterpreted by the rest of the world. Australian stockists have yet to snatch up France’s best keep secret, so I’ll dust off my beret, camp spy sunglasses and channel the fighting spirit of La White Mouse…Berny Demore must be liberated!!!!

L-R, PATTY, GLAZE, NOLA, GANG, GABY,
GEORGIA, GENNY, GINA