Well Shod, Well Imformed

SPRING'S LOOKING SKETCHY!

Spring 2010 isn't as far off as one would imagine or so FN would like us to believe. Yesterday the Fairchild property published a series of preview sketches from some of Imelda's favorite designers. Although Imelda's (still) pugging through my A/W 09/10 previews, I wouldn't deny my Imeldette's a sneaky.

Top to bottom - Raphael Young, Pollini, Omelle, Nicole Brundage, Jerome C Rousseau, Max Kirbardin, Casadei, Giuseppe Zanotti, Bruno Frisoni, Sergio Rossi, Rupert Sanderson, Dsquared.

SWEPT AWAY

The giant tsunami that was the A/W 09/10 collections engulfed the Despotic Queen and everyone in its path. While I was busy tasering the likes of Lagerfeld and Galliano, my good friend Jerome C. Rousseau was getting up close and personal with the trotters of Katie Holmes, Charlize Theron and Blacktown’s favourite ABBA fan Ms Toni Colette.

Whatever your thoughts are of Katie Holmes there is no disputing she is one of the most photographed women in the world and as an independent designer, attaching yourself to such high wattage exposure can pay massive dividends. Entering that rarefied celebrity vacuum is most difficult so Imelda tips her taser heels to the stylist who services these women. Presenting an independent designer instead of the power players like the Red (soled) Baron or Manolo Blah-nik, demonstrates there are fashion forward Stylists working in Hollywood. 

Imelda always walks away from a celebrity post feeling like I’ve been touched up in the confessional box, but no matter how hard we fight the good fight there is no escaping the commercial reality that a celebrity brings. So in these, our darkest days, I wouldn’t care if independent designers like Rousseau, (Skovgaard, Young etal) dug up Anna Nicole Smith’s rotting corpse for a photo opportunity. HECK, if it helped them sell a pair of shoes, I’d pass them a shovel.

Dutch design student Maurice Van De Stouwe has been on Imelda’s ‘Ones to Watch’ list since last year. Like Jelske Peterson and Yuima Nakazato, Van De Stouwe is part of the vanguard of Scandinavian designers currently getting ready to face off with the UK’s power players - Kirkwood, Morris, Sanderson and Skovgaard.

After viewing his current collection I continue to be overwhelmed by Van De Stouwe’s potential. Talking with Imelda, Van De Stouwe revealed the inspiration behind the collection was “more of a research question”. He went to say that for his graduation collection (which is still in progress) he was “looking at which techniques, other than ‘classic shoemaking’ are suitable for making shoes. I was focused on what does it take to make soles and heels to keep them attached to your feet”.

“I was inspired by the photographic work of Hedi Slimane and combined those images with traditional Japanese footwear design like geta, waraji and zori”. Van De Stouwe also explained the hand crafted components and knotted strapping had been “inspired from a series of woodworking joint diagrams”.

Still studying, Van De Stouwe is blessed with the luxury that time brings, and while he’s busy perfecting his form and line, the Despotic Queen will be busy clearing the path before him, because Maurice Van De Stouwe is destined for greatness and I want to be seated ringside.

 

BLANK PAGE

Let me apologise for my extended absence, but who could have predicted that lounging on my zebra covered chaise in a jewelled Halston mu-mu watching illegally downloaded movies and television shows could be so darn exhausting – not me!

Anyhoo, I’ve fixed up my new blogging lair and once the Maiden of Nuremberg has been delivered, I’ll share a few pictures.

I feel it’s best for all involved that Imelda eases into the New Year with an image heavy post and postpone the trash talk to later in the week.

Before Christmas I was all up in Jerome C. Rousseau’s trunk, trying to hunt down additional images of his SS09 collection. Finally, after threatening to dispatch The Order of Imelda’s most feared foot solider ‘Sister Wolf’ did Rousseau come good, and by golly am I glad he did.

One of the many reasons (and trust me there are many) Imelda loves the ‘Cutie from Quebec’ is that of ALL the up and coming designers, Jerome is the only one with an Australian distributor (Belinda).  As the luxury market tightens and local Buyers take less risks (which means more Louboutin, Blahnik et al) I’m predicting it will be some time before we see the likes of Kirkwood, Skovgaard, Young and Morris entering the Australian market. But enough doom and gloom, let’s just ogle the pretty shoes.

As I mentioned in part one of my preview, Jerome was inspired by the work of UK artist Ettore Sottsass and his colour palette by Verena Jabs. You can read the full review HERE or you can read this profile piece published in this months Australian Vogue

AND THE MONEY KEEPS ROLLING IN

Yesterday I discovered a village of moths had taken up residence in my wardrobe, I promptly issued them with an order to vacate before polybaging my Bob Mackie’s. Then this morning I woke to discover a plague of tiny sub tropic insects had moved into the Place of Despotism. Added to the problem of a leaky shower, broken dryer and no telephone I’m expecting the angel of death to drop by for a mince pie and a nip of brandy.

In happier news, if you look to right and down a little you’ll see that Imelda has a new sponsor. After threatening his extended (Filipino based) family with internment in one of my crystal myth labs, my favourite South East Asian homie, Alvin (Saint Augustine’s Academy) has caved and bought a block of ad space. I’ve trashed talked SAA before and despite Imelda’s best attempts to rig the votes (it has been over 20 years since I fixed an election so I’m bound to be a little rusty) Shandor Gancs (of Leopold) took home the 2threads Menswear Designer of the Year award

With all the drama swirling around, nominations for Imelda’s Designer of the Year award have been extended until this Sunday. If you haven’t nominated then do so HERE.

Attempting to corrupt the electoral process some sneaky designers (Jerome C Rousseau) have started wooing Yum Yum. Will you take a gander at what my security camera’s caught last night…

Yes, those are Yum Yum’s pins and if you thought, “aren’t they Imelda’s gold liturgical dance leggings?” you’d have guessed right. Naturally, after my security detail bought this to my attention I confiscated the delicious booties, my leggings and set the dogs on her. Since the new palace is smaller, blocking out her pleas for mercy was difficult – but she needed to be reminded that only the rich can subvert democracy.

BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO BAD PEOPLE

Yesterday the prestigious Footwear News presented three of Imelda’s favorite designers with awards.

Designer of the Year - Nicholas Kirkwood

Launches of the Year - Under Armour and Jerome Rousseau

The Vivian Infantino Emerging Talent Award - Chrissie Morris

Congratulations to ALL my babies, if my face wasn’t pumped full of low grade Third World Botox, I’d be weeping tears of joy!

Of course these awards mean nothing as Imelda ISN’T ensconced in her new Palace of Despotism!!! The move has been diabolical and I’m blogging from a remote and secure location. Imelda’s useless realtor failed to ensure the compound’s current tenants had vacated the property in time for the Despotic Queen’s arrival. Quell Horror

I’m trying to remain light hearted but the stress has flared up my bunions and I’m on the verge of an apocalyptic meltdown that not even a bottle of Krüg and cheesy pineapple hors duvers could stop. 

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

BLOOD DIAMONDS AREN'T THE ONLY WAY TO A DESPOTS HEART!

Imelda's been climbing the staircase of psychological despair since the Presidential Commission on Good Government announced that my precious jewels, the symbols of my consummate greed and corruption will finally be auctioned off. *sigh*...it’s likely the proceeds will donated to starving children with cancer or some equally ridiculous charity.

MY JEWELS, MY BABIES…and these aren’t some scabby diamond chips from ‘Prouds the Jewellers’, we’re talking $317 million dollars worth of Van Cleef & Arpel's blood diamonds. 

(image top right - my 30.76 ct. diamond bangle - worth one US million dollars in 1986)

After knock-knee’d Nancy and that decrepit B Grade Cowboy husband of hers Ronald, withdrew US support for our merry little military junta, Ferdi, myself and the children were forced to abdicate.

Exiled in Hawaii, my jewels (and my shoes) turned against me, the filthy and uneducated were told that my baubles personified my gluttonous behaviour. But in truth it was all done for my people, I am both their star and slave. When I went out into the barrios, I got dressed up because I knew my people wanted to see a star. Other President’s wives have gone out to the barrios wearing housedresses and slippers. That’s not want people want to see. People want someone they can look up to, someone to set an example.

Yesterday Imelda was feeling cheerless so I started to self mutilate Yum Yum  - What! Cutting ones self is so ’07, assuaging your morose thoughts on someone else, now that’s ’08. That was until the ‘Cutie from Quebec’ and good friend of the Despotic Queen, Jerome C. Rousseau  called the compound.

“Imelda” he hollered down the line “are you holding on to your skirt?”. Truth be known I was wearing my petty pants and my marabou house slippers “Yes”, I replied. “I’ve got great news for you, I’m giving you an EXCLUSIVE peek at my SS09 range”. I let out a squawk. “I’ll email you now. But it’s only one style”. “What? J have you been smoking crack?. You’ll need to give me more than one style if you’re hoping to loosen my panty girdle”. “Nope” he replied, “it’s only one style”. Affronting the Despotic Queen – have you ever! And he knows I wear taser heels!

No sooner had his email arrived had I forgiven his temerity.

Inspired by the work of UK artist Ettore Sottsass (above), Jerome is using Sottsass’s work to explore line and form for his third collection. Revealing that his entire SS09 colour palette was inspired by the works of  Verena Jabs (below) he also confided to Mummy Imelda that he would “love to collaborate with Jabs in the future on a specific project, perhaps a print”. If you send more exclusives I’ll see what I can do.

The Canuck went on whisper sweet nothings, “Imelda, you’ll always be my original muse, but this season I’ve taken Elli from Elli et Jacno as my SS09 muse”. I can’t be too upset, Elli is the quintessential French chanteuse and her late 70’s / early 80’s look makes her totally muse worthy.

Anticipating more exclusives from Jerome, I chained the ‘black dog’ in its kennel and told Yum Yum to get Banker on the phone. I’ll get my blood diamonds back one way or another…

MUMMY’S VERY PROUD!

Look at what Imelda’s babies have achieved…

This July Italian Vogue Pelle has profiled Jerome C. Rousseau (you may remember him as the designer responsible for loosening Imelda’s chastity belt) - grab yourself a copy.

On Tuesday, Raphael Young was appointed Creative Director of Korean fashion powerhouse ‘Kaylee Tankus’, which was alluded to in my Shoe of the Week profile.

On Wednesday, the Mouth from the South (Australia) and Imelda’s old friend Mary-Kyri was on ACA (A Current Affair), and it wasn’t because of any ‘shady lady’ business dealings. It was because she’s Australia’s rising star of footwear…derr, I told you that months and months ago!

All this success, it brings a tear to Imelda’s good eye!

LOOKING INTO MY EYE!

Not so long ago Imelda was trotting through her Tuscan vineyard, enjoying my life of impossible wealth, when a young man who was also enjoying my vineyard startled me.

Naturally I need no introduction so he politely introduced himself as Jerome C. Rousseau ‘up and coming shoe designer’. Before I could use my taser and charge him with trespassing I was struck by a thundering dizzy spell (before you ask, NO I only had 2 bloody Mary’s with breakfast). Stumbling around like Ray Charles after a hit of heroin, my vision started to blur. It’s The Almighty I thought, he’s finally calling me home…but I wasn’t ready to meet my maker; I was wearing last season’s shoes!

As my vision sharpened, colours started coming into focus. I could see gold and red and royal blue. Then came shape…it was a pump and I was having a stroke!!! “Sweet baby Jesus” I sung out “my heart’s about to explode”, no wait; yup it was definitely a pump!

As weak as a kitten, I asked Jerome to escort me back to the villa and mix me something strong! I knocked back two Fluffy Ducks in quick succession and broke open my emergency stash of Quaaludes. Feeling lucid, I started to explain what I’d seen when Jerome interrupted me (not such a smart move after two Fluffy Ducks and a handful of ‘ludes). “Imelda the shoe you’re describing is mine, it’s from my AW08/09 collection, and it’s called Dragon”. “What?” I said, somewhat confused “I thought the Virgin Mother was reaching out and telling me she’s sick of wearing gladiators! Now you’re telling me I’m on Fashion TV?”

I batted my eyelashes coquettishly and we laughed! In the past I’ve been struck by these visions (like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the reining despotic Queen of Shoes has special powers) but not since I plucked a young Jimmy Choo from the obscurity of the Third World and shipped him off to London’s Cordwainers College to study shoes.

I always seek the vision, never has the vision come to me…hey, it’s the digital age and things change!

Jerome explained that he was in Tuscany working on his SS09 collection when he decided to look for inspiration. “What! You weren’t stalking me?” I asked “No” he replied. What does a despot have to do to find a stalker these days? “All my shoes are made by a Tuscan factory, would you like a sneak peek? My Vespa is parked outside”.

I studied his baby face and concluded he wouldn’t ‘try-it-on’ so I hostered up my skirt and screamed out ‘La Dolce Vita’.

Inside the factory, Jerome explained that for the past 10 years he’s worked alongside Matthew Williamson, Isabella Fiore, John Richmond and John Promostyl and that he too has studied at Cordwainers College.

I asked “why shoes?” to which he replied “I started drawing shoes as a teenager after watching a Deee-Lite video clip (who could forget Lady Miss Kier’s wicked platforms). I was influenced by her unique styling, but it was the overstated retro footwear that first caught my attention”. I guess there wasn’t a lot to do growing up in Quebec!

“This season I was influenced by the Suprematist work of Russian artist Kazimir Malevich”. Whilst Malevich’s work is highly controversial in his home land the geometric silhouettes and strong colour palettes have been highly influential in the West. “I was also influenced by the dangerous and glamorous mood of the pulpy 1978 film ‘The Eyes of Laura Mars’.

The work of Malevich is evident in Jerome’s use of colour (Shoe of the Week) while the ‘Mars’ reference is slightly more difficult to pin point because it’s more about the luxurious fabrications he’s used to evoke a set design reference (Laura’s plush art deco apartment).

I was immediately impressed be the delicate ruching along the throat-line of the almond toe pumps. He’s cleverly cut-away and rouched the shaft of the boot, thus exposing an oft forgotten erogenous zone - the back of the ankle.

I was thankful that I hadn’t tasered him and made a citizens arrest because Imelda’s ‘visions’ are never wrong. ‘The Eyes of Imelda Marcos’ are on Jerome C. Rousseau and so too should yours!