Well Shod, Well Imformed

THE WITCHING HOUR

It’s been a busy 12 months for the Perth born Tristan Blair, he’s had a string of high profile haute dates with the Bubblelicious Susie, expanded his brand in the UK and Japanese markets and launched a capsule collection with behemoth Australian retailer Sportsgirl and still found the time to body surf. Respect.

I realize we’ve had a few false starts and I’ve been promising to pump out the remainder of Blair’s S/S 09/10 collection for the past week, but with the northern hemisphere heading into summer my meth orders have doubled and the Despotic Queen has had to step up production in the labs. Last night we packed the last of the mules into the cargo container and watched the ship set sale for the Promised Land…meaning Imelda can get back to the business of shoes.

Tristan Blair blindsided the Despotic Queen when he revealed “For S/S 09/10 I’ve found inspiration in the dark side”. His SS09/10 collection The Lost Girls was in part inspired by the late 80’s film The Lost Boys and is a precise collection of Grecian sandals, masculine boots, gladiator heels and laser cut platforms.

If it wasn’t the lightning flashes of fuchsia, orange and red in Blair’s somber palette of black and brown the collection could almost have been seen as Blair’s response to the sobering economic climate. Making a mischievous appearance is Pewter (a colour normally reserved for mother of the bride / dinner dance footwear); Blair has used the metallic colour in the most delightfully ironic 80’s inspired woven sandal.

Mellifluent patent, scuba and suede trimmed Chopin inspired platforms are contrasted by plaiting, laser cut uppers and Victorian inspired lace detail. Following up his universally acclaimed A/W 09 collection, Blair continues to use trims in the most unexpected ways. Peek-a-boo fringing, buckles and press-studs are placed to maximum effect.

Now into his 8^th season, I asked Blair how he would describe the brand’s signature style. Pausing, he replied, “how would you describe it?” “Masculine with subtle feminine tailoring” I responded, “That sounds about right” he laughed.

Blair may have been inspired by “the classic battle of good versus evil” and “the inherent sexual appeal of witchery” but the hoodoo voodoo stops with the press release. Blair’s ‘The Lost Girls’ collection is a timely reminder of why the Despotic Queen thinks he is one of the most exciting footwear designers in Australia.

SPELLBOUND

I realize the following my be construed as a somewhat unprofessional admission about my fragile condition but the time for caring was 2 years ago…Imelda the Blogging Machine rants “Today I can’t be arse'd and while I'm ranting, would Chef stop feeding me Potato Gems, the months been cunty enough without clogged arteries and an expanding gunt to worry about”

My miserable disposition aside, Mummy Imelda is keenly aware of the prior engagement I made with my beloved Imeldettes…a promise is a promise…innit! However, I’d prefer to not let my seething contempt for the week’s events permeate Tristan’s spellbinding new SS09/10 collection. So I’ve chosen 3 of my favorite styles (with more to come) for you to puddle in your petty pants over…don’t worry the irony that all 3 are flats hasn’t been lost on the Despotic Queen…I told you I wasn’t well J

THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT

He’s taken his sweet time but Tristan Blair has (finally) crossed over to the dark side. Blair’s SS09/10 collection titled ‘The Lost Girls’, finds the Sydney based designer taking inspiration from (amongst other things) ‘the inherent sexual appeal of witchery’.

Imelda will (EXCLUSIVLEY) convene Blair’s unholy coven of footwear delights tomorrow…who’s the real bitch witch now?

THE BLACK WIDOW!

Tristan Blair is always kind enough to relieve Imelda of her skirt, so last week when I popped into his showroom for a sneak peek at SS08, I wore pants (yes, a first) despite the diabolical chaffing they cause. Why? If you’ve read Imelda long enough you’ll know that Tristan Blair is a local hero of sorts and because I was anticipating a full skirt lift moment! I needn’t have bothered because the breeze was so light my hem barely fluttered - and now the chaffing has left me sorer than an alter boy!

Normally the master of proportion, the majority of Tristan’s summer silhouettes looked confused and dated. His palette (black on black), questionable use of fabric (suede, patent, scuba) and another special guest appearance from winter’s (cheap looking) buckle trims has left me asking - what when wrong?

Not a total train wreck - the tall gladiator sandal in black patent was my highlight as was the closed back multi strap sandal in black patent.

Contrary to popular belief I don’t enjoy eating my own – if I won’t tolerate mediocrity from Marc Jacobs then I certainly can’t tolerate it from someone I believe to be a capable and talented designer!

A mother’s love is always the toughest!

UPDATE

I welcome all email feedback (positive or negative) and I understand some of you don’t wish to make your opinions public but the more voices the more informed the debate. But ladies (and gents) cool your heels - it’s a blog about shoes!

By ‘sugar coating’ or ‘self censoring’ my opinions as one reader suggested, I’m being dishonest to you, the designer and to myself. This opens up a more complex debate about the objectivity of reporting in fashion, but that is best left for another blogger or another post!

I consider Tristan Blair to be a capable designer with global potential. The notion that I should treat a local designer and international designers differently because of the ‘scale of resources’ is preposterous!

I’m only one person (who rides a unicorn, not a horse, thank you muchly ‘insert your name here’) with one objective opinion – read the comments left by readers because let’s face it you’re the one buying the shoes!

WHO KILLED BAMBI?

FIERCE right? These are the shoes that an ouzi-slinging Heidi might wear as she commando rolls her way across the Austrian Alps. Damn, you know she’ll slam a bullet right through the enemies eyes and still look femme in a vintage seditionaries tee juggling a tray of Bräu am Berg.

These aren’t going to be to everyone’s liking and nor should they be, but they are to Imelda’s liking! In fact, they are one of Imelda’s favourite shoes from Tristan’s A/W collection. The Balenciaga reference is obvious but Tristan has been savvy enough to adapt the key elements and then integrate his own signature.

With that many buckles girls…plan ahead.

Tristan Blair Audrey, $430

SINK YOUR FANGS INTO TRISTAN

Opps…I’m late again but it’s still Tuesday in the Northern Hemisphere. This week Imelda’s resting on her despotic laurels and has handed ‘Tuesdays with Tristain’ over to fellow Aussie blogger A dreamer of AUS Style. She’s a BIG TB fan….

For those of you who don't know me (a dreamer) you will now know me as Tristan Blairs No.1 Fan! Imelda's Tuesdays with Tristan gives me a reason to be a mad TB (no..not the virus) fangirl each week, so I jumped at the chance to guest post.

Tristan's whole SS collection 'Wonderful Armour' is indeed 100% wonderful. It breaks my heart knowing that I can't post the whole collection; I love each design; but I painstakingly narrowed it down to these two pairs as this week’s faves. In some ways, I think the shoes are complete contradictions of each other; one having such a hard, complicated edge (which I think makes it look like a futuristic war shoe) and the other being a classic pump but with a modern girly twist to it. Well, in the end, it doesn't really matter to me. They are both equally lovely. See? I told you I was a TB fangirl.

THE TROUBLE WITH TRISTAN

Tuesdays With Tristan has Imelda all hot ‘n heavy with these cherry red Mary Jane platforms. The black patent strap has subversive masochistic undertones, the covered heel and round toe reference the emerging 50’s pin-up trend.

Now, word is that only schoolgirls and hookers wear red shoes. I’m too old to pass for jailbait or a fast talking floozy but like Kate Ceberano and young boys, rrrred shoes are my weakness - and these shoes spell T.R.O.U.B.L.E!

This winter the only John this former first lady is on the look out for is a Johnston & Johnston medicated foot balm for my planter wart so I can wear these darn shoes!

Tristan Blair Carlem $360

TOUCH ME IN THE 90'S, TRISTAN!

Welcome back to Tuesday’s with Tristan and I promise a snappier title is on the way – at this point I’ll happily take any suggestions .

I’m kicking off the year with a doosie. Even Imelda’s not completely sold on this style. Before we dig in I must applaud Tristan for the early nineties reference…Rei Kawakubo was the only other designer to sight the 90’s as a new point of inspiration - brave move soldier!

By my rulebook - studs, bows and t-bar y-backs are the triumvirate of evil. Yet oddly I find this shoe appealing. After a season of clomping around with Centre Point tower strapped to my trotters perhaps the thought of slipping into the squat cone heel is comforting. Pish posh - even said aloud and I still don’t believe it, I’ve never sought the company of comfort!

I like it, but would I wear it? Maybe. The one thing I do know is next time I roller blade through the 90’s I’ll be smarter and less inclined to take my sartorial que from Amanda Woodward!

COMMAND FORCE BLAIR

Yes I know - Imelda missed ‘Tuesday’s with Tristan’ and no, it didn’t slip our mind, we just had some trouble locating the images! So in an effort to apologise we're offering you a double banger!

Y'all know how Imelda feels about flats and we’re not making an exception to the rule for Tristan. But if you must (and I heavily emphasise must) wear flats then make it a man style lace up. The heavenly combination of the luxurious midnight blue velvet against aggressive black patent makes Imelda want to snap to attention…yes sir, Tristan sir!

If like Imelda a lifetime of heels has left your feet allergic to flats then snatch up the almond toe stilettoed lace ankle bootie. Less severe and you’ll be the one commanding all the attention.

TRISTAN BLAIR Click shoe and Chick ankle bootie

YES PRIME MINISTER…

We don’t talk enough about the talent that is Mr Blair (Tristan, not Tony) - an oversight Imelda intends to rectify. From today onwards Tuesday’s will be known as Tuesday with Tristan (I know…but it’s early and the best I could do). It’s also in part for Imelda’s friend ‘Dreamer’ over at AUS Style , who loooves Tristan’s fabulous footwear.

Imelda hopes to snare an interview (and perhaps a sneak peek at W08) with Mr Blair sometime before Christmas…we’ll keep you posted.

In the meantime, heeeeeeres Tristan.

TRISTAN BLAIR CHICK WEDGE $POA