Well Shod, Well Imformed

CHRISSIE MORRIS JUMP-STARTS IMELDA'S FOOTWEAR FUNK

Ever since the Vuitton show my touchstone of tyranny has been feeling suicidal so last night I took to the ouija board and called on the ghost of Doctor Mengeles and asked if he could make an emergency house call.

Examining my lady lump he advised that if it were ever to tingle and pulsate again it would require intensive rehabilitation therapy.

“Does that involve mouth-to-mouth?” I asked hopefully

“No” his ethereal voice warbled “I’m prescribing you extended crypt rest, coupled with a 6-month course of soft tissue manipulation, preferably ‘Barefoot Deep Tissue’ massage”

“Quelle Horrour” I moaned. “Have you seen Yum Yum’s gnarly Third World trotters?” “This is unacceptable” I grumbled “No! I’m going to make like Bonnie Tyler…you’ll find me holding out for a hero”

Of course as is Imelda’s luck, I didn’t need to hold out for too long. Emiliano Figurelli (the silent half of Chrissie Morris Inc) forwarded the Despotic Queen another email of ‘world exclusives’. Now if any designer could jump-start my footwear funk it would be Morris.

Aside from being greatness incarnate, Chrissie Morris is also one third of Imelda’s Holy Trinity of Emerging Footwear Designers.

Like the other 2/3 of Imelda’s ‘Trinity’ (Raphael Young and Behnaz Kanani), Morris resists following trends, relies on no gimmicks and just produces astonishing footwear.

Morris’ design aesthetic is so overwhelming it has the capacity to prompt Imelda into a violent and/or murderous rage.

I liken the experience of reviewing any Morris collection to an ecclesiastical touch up and after the maggot infested slop at Vuitton; Imelda was in dire need of holy spirit fingers.

Morris continues to remain true to the brand’s signature Art Deco aesthetic but for S/S 10 the Brit based designer has chosen to introduce several new styles which have been influenced by the earthy tones of Inca art and architecture.

The Inca influence can also be seen in Morris’ use of colour. Her S/S 10 palette is a mix of warm mustards, browns, blood reds and tans which have been deftly contrasted with a whiff of green, orange and nude tones.

Piping is key to any Morris collection and again the designer uses the trim to masterfully define her Deco inspired silhouettes.

While Morris is a virtuoso with form, her collection is at its most panty moistening when she introduces the exotic fabrics - stingray and python.

Her poetic use of stingray brought Imelda to her knees, my touchstone of tyranny trembling (finally), I squawked for Yum Yum to fetch "mah smelling salts"

The way in which the fabric dramatically sweeps across the vamp of the sandal (below), licks the heel and is then subtly contrasted by the suede piping is the very reason Imelda crawls out of her crypt every morning.

MERCY-MERCY, I’z been cured...let the good shoes roll on in!

POP, POP, POP GOES MY PANTY GIRDLE

Chrissie Morris S/S 10 'World Exclusive'

Chrissie Morris’ S/S 10 collection has done the impossible and left the Despotic Queen of Shoes speechless.

TRUE.

Chrissie has been kind enough to give Imelda (and her beloved Imeldettes) a 'world exclusive preview' of her S/S 10 collection. I’m so wild with excitement I’d bury grandma under the floorboards and sell her dentures to buy just one shoe from Morris’ collection.

I’m not about to give it up in one hit, but you’ve been forewarned. Next time we visit with Morris, wear your Depends (the industrial strength variety).

PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE

Well HELLO! If you’ve entered Imelda via WGSN then welcome. Before I taser you with my merciless tongue of tyranny, the Despotic Queen would like to correct a minor error. 

WGSN reported that Imelda – The Despotic Queen of Shoes (and her cast of cronies) has been celebrating footwear (and terrorizing errant designers) since 2008 which is incorrect, the Despotic Queen started polluting the information super highway with her cancerous bile in 2007. That said, I'm most humbled to be included on the WGSN's list of 'favourite footwear blogs'.

UPDATED - WGSN have corrected the error...merci.

If you'd like to know more about Imelda then I suggest you CLICK HERE alternatively, you can hit me back at the Palace of Despotism on editor@imelda.com.au

Also, the celebrity slop served up in the previous post isn’t traditional Imelda fare. The only celebrities you’ll find here are the shoes, the people who design ‘em and Imelda…of course.

Now that we’re sorted, empty out your colostomy bag and buckle up…because you're in for a bumpy (albeit slightly unhinging) ride. 

It’s been over two months since Imelda posted her ‘exclusive’ preview of Chrissie Morris’ A/W 09/10 collection. At the time I opened up the floor to your questions and I had every intention of posting the follow up a lot sooner than today. 

Imelda says that just like Yum Yum’s battle with hemorrhoids, we all get what we deserve in the end.

Dapper Kid - I would love to know what her starting point was for the collection.

I draw inspiration from so many sources, from contemporary street styles to science fiction to art movements, eg. The Art Deco period.  Not only did it produce an astounding creative legacy, but also it took place against an amazing social and political backdrop, eg. the increased roles and rights for women. Art Deco's modernity makes sense, especially when we revisit the strides made or being made by women in the present day.

Faddict - Since Chrissie Morris' collection is so varied, I would like to know where she draws her inspiration from, and what kind of girl she sees wearing her shoes?

The Chrissie Morris woman is fearless and feminine. Fierce even, loves being a woman. She's independent, leaning towards rebellious, has a great sense of humor and knows what she wants.

Imelda - How have things changed since the winning ‘Who Is on Next?’

'Who Is On Next' has made it easier to get your voice heard, as it were, in this competitive climate. It has encouraged buyers and editors to continue to support emerging talent, despite the research and spending trends, shaped by current economic forces.

Imelda - Buyers are playing it safe, is this a good time for experimental design? Industry pundits are predicting a ‘thinning of the herd’ (which is to be expected) what is your assessment of luxury footwear retailing for the next 12/18 months?

For every buyer who is playing it safe, we are finding interest towards our collection from several key boutiques who insist on shaking up the merchandise mix and cutting back on established brands, to keen retailers in unlikely markets who have the customer infrastructure, knowledgeable about fashion and eager to try something new.

If customers are given the opportunity to see (and try on and buy) the range of great design out there, then luxury footwear is in a good place.

Imelda - How has digital media helped your business, any direct evidence of blog to cash register influence?

Without a doubt, digital media has helped keep the name out there, by developing an active support group who swap tales of favorite styles and share tips on where to buy. It is marketing at the most organic level, and it's free (and unedited).

Some of the buyers in which I come in contact have mentioned that they read the blogs as diligently as the glossies or the trade newspapers.

TURN OFF THE LIGHTS, A STAR IS BORN!

Receiving my seasonal email from Chrissie Morris, the DQ’s impenetrable facade of biggest bitch on the blog is stripped down and I’m reduced to a quivering haute mess.

Since discovering the Brit designer’s art deco inspired collections 2 years ago, I’ve been a vocal, and at times rabid, advocate of her extraordinary talents. Her past two collections (seen HERE and HERE) have been nothing short of divine exquisiteness and Morris is hurtling towards her destiny of being a global footwear super star, a destiny that could be reached with her next collection.

Blessed with the eye of a true visionary, Morris is not unlike that other female footwear superstar, the late Beth Levine. The New York based Levine was known for experimental use of exotic skins, pioneering use of vinyl and being a self taught footwear designer. Morris, a self taught footwear designer has not only an unnerving ability to work exotic skins she has an artisan’s eye for line and form. Defying the global recession she has international Buyers lining up for her stingray and gemstone creations. Reintroducing several key SS09 silhouettes (including the much maligned power wedge), Morris continues to explore her signature aesthetic of Art Deco luxe for A/W 09/10.

Last night as I replied to Morris’ email, the Despotic Queen was momentarily lost for superlatives so I gushed like a fangirl. “Oh” I squealed “this is your best collection to date”. Intent on embarrassing myself I continued “the line, the form…I’m lost for words” But in truth I really was lost for words and I still am, which is why I’m turning the questions over to my Imeldettes.

Let me explain, lest you think the Despotic Queen is resting on her taser heels. I think this is an amazing opportunity for my Imeldettes to engage and pick the mind of a super star in-waiting. Because trust Mommie Dearest, once Morris ‘breaks’ she’s going to be HUGE. She’ll be juggling multiple collaborations, creative directorships (not unlike my Beloved) and we’ll hear not a bow peep – unless it’s from an over zealous PR. Not that Imelda objects, because there comes a time when all my chitlen’s must soar far and wide.

So my beloveds, ask away….because there more shoes where these beauts came from.

 

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