Monday, August 29, 2011

Why Should You Choose Casual Footwear?


When we live in cities, a lot of the places we go to are those we can go to by foot and because of this, our feet could get easily exhausted from walking around a lot especially when we do this on a daily basis. Perhaps it is time that we did something to reward our feet every time we walk---perhaps something that allows them to breathe from the stuffy, closed and high heel shoes that we normally purchase and walk in. There are some casual shoes that can be worn to trips to the beach and more that allows our feet to be exposed and relaxed while walking around such places.

One of the shoes that have gained popularity among those who love to walk around is the Kenneth Cole reaction shoes. There are a lot of styles of this kind of shoes that you can purchase online or offline. These shoes come with open soles and some may even look like they’re beach sandals. Either way, shoes in this line are pretty good for walking around the beach and more. You can choose to go with these if you are fond of walking around the city or the small town you live in. They are pretty good for and comfortable for the feet.

But if you want your legs and other parts of your feet to be toned, there is the New Balance toning shoes. Now, these may be closed shoes but they can give your feet the exercise and the toning they need around the legs, thighs and more. That is what is good about this kind of shoes. They help improve your good health even when you are merely walking cities and towns.

There are other shoes and sandals that can be great for walking. You just have to know what you would like among them and what you think will be best for your feet and the clothes that you wear on a daily basis. At least then, you won’t be spending a lot for something that you hardly wear. It pays to know yourself---your personal style---when it comes to purchasing shoes. You can then be a better, smarter shopper of shoes this way.

Many women do love to walk because it keeps them in shape. There are some men who love to do that, too. This is why such shoes for walking and comfort have been created by quite a lot of shoemakers.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Lady Gaga dresses up as red cockscomb!

Source From: http://www.examiner.com/fashion-in-atlanta/lady-gaga-dresses-up-as-red-cockscomb

Atlanta Lady Gaga fans, the fashion iconoclast is up to her old self again – donning yet another outrageous fashion creation and new dark red platform shoes to tax any ankle – just in case you were a bit concerned for her that she was having an identity crisis!

The Queen of Pop was spotted at the Atom Factory VMA Dinner in Los Angeles on Friday 26 August, 2011 wearing an outfit that looked like a bright red cockscomb at the waist and abdomen.

The plunging necklace revealed that Lady Gaga chose not to wear her bra to the event but she did accessorize to the hilt with a huge diamond necklace, thick leggings – in the heat of summer – and her signature break-neck clodhoppers. Her kidney-shaped red clutch bag was very tasteful though as were her lovely sunglasses.

Gaga, who is normally known for her signature scarlet red lipstick, actually wore a black tint instead to match her raven hued pointed nails. The platinum blond updo with bangs must have had add-ons as there was a lot of hair in her bun!

The diva was there to perform at the VMA awards on Sunday 28 August, which she did as her alter ego Jo Calderone but more on that later – with pictures! Promise…

Styling the High Heels and the Boots


There are a lot of shoes of every kind out today. There are more styles that women can choose from when it comes to shopping for shoes and the likes than there are for men to choose from. Perhaps this could be because designers of footwear find women’s shoes easier to design or embellish with what designs they have in mind. However, do you know how to style these things by wearing the right clothes and more? A lot happen to not know.

Now, there are plenty of inspirations regarding styling these things that one can get online. There are some sites with photos on how these things are best worn and most of the time. It is the stars that are wearing such high-profile shoes and more. But commoners like us can be artsy with some high heel shoes as well. We just have to be careful in choosing the right shoes to go with when we want to wear them out casually or when we want to wear them out to work even.

Boots are the perfect things to wear when it’s the cold season and even when it’s the summer season. You must have seen today some discount boots being worn with dresses and even some shorts. It might be awkward to look at but quite a lot are now sporting this style. Boots do look really cute with the dresses and the shorts. It doesn’t matter if they are the thigh highs, the knee-high and even the ankle-length ones. As long as you have a pair of these, you can now be a bit trendier than most.

Some high heels, pumps and wedges can also be good to wear with some skirt or some other. You should be able to find some of these from Rocket dog shoes. If you are the girly type, then there are some of these kinds of shoes that you can find everywhere. You just have to look for where you can find some great bargains on them and where you can find some with styles or designs that go well with your own personal style and the like.

Nothing is wrong with spending so much on shoes. Most women would find this a great relief from a busy day at work or perhaps a busy week she has just had. Some ladies are called “shoe ladies” for some reason and this is because they love such shoes and are even able to style them accordingly.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Women, Beauty and Shoes


Years ago, a powerful woman from a small Asian country rose to even more fame because of her collection of shoes. To this woman, her shoes represent the beauty that the world can create. Despite the violent opinions that people in that country may give for that woman’s lack of repentance for her vast shoe collection, it is true indeed that shoes can define a woman’s beauty.

Because of this, many designers in creating women’s shoes strive not only to provide comfort but work primarily to make women look good. Some designers spend most of their careers trying to create an exclusive line of shoes for women for this very goal. In fact, there are some companies that exclusively sell women’s shoes like Anne Klein shoes, Style & Co and Boutique 9 shoes. These shoes range from the high end to the low end ones.

Beauty has been defined as the characteristic of a person, place or thing which gives pleasure or satisfaction to the person seeing or experiencing it. However, there is no universal and absolute concept of beauty because it differs from one culture to another. Thus, a thing, person or place could be beautiful for people in a particular culture but this might not be different in the case of other cultures. Shoes, however, have defied these limitations. Whatever culture you belong to, you will consider a woman wearing high heel shoes beautiful, at least, compared to the woman who isn’t.

In the field of sociology, it is said that people live in a world of meanings. Shoes serve as status symbols and being so can give different kinds of meanings. For those who come from the lower socioeconomic class, it can signify their moving up in the socioeconomic ladder. To shoe manufacturers, it represents a source of living. To the debutante, it could mean coming out like Cinderella. To women, however, the right shoes can mean getting the job that they want, the man they desire or the promotion that they yearn for – all of these relate to the ability of shoes to make them look good.

This is not to say that it is the shoes that make the woman because, the truth is, it is actually the other way around. It is the woman who makes the shoes. This is because it is she who chooses what pair of shoes to wear with that stylish dress and it is she who essentially makes the decision what shoes she wants to own.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Seattle gets big-name fashion collections from Karl Lagerfeld and Rachel Zoe

Source From: http://www.nwsource.com/shopping/fashion/seattle-gets-big-name-fashion-collections-karl-lagerfeld-and-rachel-zoe?prmid=4932

It’s serendipitous that Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld and celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe both have clothing collections hitting the racks of major department stores starting late August.

Fans of Zoe’s Bravo show, "The Rachel Zoe Project," know that Lagerfeld is one of Zoe’s fashion idols -- she even gets to air-kiss him backstage at his runway shows. But really, what stylist or fashion-obsessed person doesn’t count Chanel and Lagerfeld among their idols?

If you’re a fan of Lagerfeld, but can’t afford couture prices, you’re in luck: his affordable capsule collection for Macy’s “Impulse” department arrives on Aug. 31.

“Impulse” is Macy’s youthful and contemporary department, where Lagerfeld’s limited-edition collaboration will join brands like Betsey Johnson and Free People. The collection is heavy on graphic black and white, tweed and leather, but has hits of pink and “is a blend of refined dresses, airy tops, modern tweeds and [Lagerfeld’s] signature high-collared neck, priced on average from $50 to $170,” explains the press release.

I’m especially taken with the most Chanel-like pieces, including a great black baby doll dress with a white pointy collar ($109), a sheer lavender/gray blouse, also with a pointy collar ($89), and a versatile tweed jacket ($169) that may very well be your best wardrobe staple for years to come.

Over at Nordstrom, Rachel Zoe’s collection veers towards a higher price point, starting at $275 for pleated wool pants and stretch jersey leggings, and topping out at $575 for a (gorgeous) leopard-print halter gown.

Of course, Zoe’s collection also looks very rich and luxurious -- her statement says it was inspired by “her love of all things glamorous.”

With a nod towards her fellow fashion icons Brigitte Bardot, Edie Sedgwick, Bianca Jagger and Faye Dunaway, this debut collection (not counting the one she did for QVC) is “glamorous, vintage-inspired and effortless,” influenced by “'60s mod” and bohemian “'70s glamour queen.”

Our favorites are a to-die-for faux-fur trim wool coat ($550), a black-and-white sequin shift dress ($495) and a very Chanel-inspired bead and sequin cardigan ($375).

Most of the Rachel Zoe collection is available at Nordstrom.com for pre-order (shipping mid-September), but her faux fur jacket ($450) and a few other pieces are available for purchase now at the downtown Seattle store's Via C.

If you have a shop, sale, event or great product tip you'd like to share, e-mail seattleshopping@nwsource.com or tell us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter for the latest local sales, great deals and noteworthy products, designers and stores.

The Big C in Shoes


Men and women have a common criterion when it comes to selecting shoes and that is comfort. For whatever occasion be it formal or casual; for whatever activity whether it’s just the lazy walk in the park or the grueling exercise routine; wherever the venue is for the event, in the beach or in a classy restaurant – people want their shoes to be comfortable. Wearing a pair of shoes, in order to be classified as comfortable, should not take so much effort. It should be like wearing bedroom slippers or should even feel like going barefoot.

The shoe industry is a busy industry because of the high demand for shoes as this footwear can be considered a necessity nowadays. In fact, because of this demand, many designs come out in the market and some are manufactured particularly for different types of activities. For women, many shoe styles have been designed appropriate for different types of occasions. Some of these types are flat shoes, peep toe shoes, ankle strap shoes, mules, athletic shoes and high heel shoes. For men, there are black shoes, boots, loafers, leather shoes and athletic shoes. There are even highly specialized shoes that are created specifically for certain kinds of sports like tennis shoes or skate shoes.

Although shoes can be considered a status symbol separating basically those who can buy a good pair and those who can only afford discount shoes, people’s shoe choice go beyond price. More importantly, they go comfort. But why is this so? A couple of reasons can be cited.

People, being bipedal species, have their weight centered on their feet when upright. From the time people wake up in the morning until they go to bed at night to sleep, the feet receives the greatest toll in all physical activities that are done while doing common activities like walking or running. The kind of footwear can either provide ease to the feet or cause pain. If shoes are not comfortable, they can lead to corns, calluses, blisters or eventually malformations to the toes.

Another reason is safety. For very active people, uncomfortable shoes can lead to foot injuries like ankle twists or sprains and broken or fractured bones. The discomfort may either be caused by the wrong fit of the shoes or the inappropriateness of the shoes to the activity.

There is truth to the saying that “when your feet hurt, you hurt all over.” This is manifested by what people usually look for in shoes – the big C called comfort.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Fashion News: Barneys New York taps Lady Gaga for holiday campaign

Source From: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/alltherage/2011/08/fashion-news-barneys-new-york-taps-lady-gaga-for-holiday-campaign.html

One of the presents we opened in our email inbox this morning was an announcement that Lady Gaga would be serving up her interpretation of Santa's workshop as part of Barneys New York's holiday campaign called "Gaga's Workshop." The announcement reads, in part:

"Barneys New York has worked closely with Lady Gaga under the creative direction of Nicola Formichetti to design a range of exclusive, limited-edition, small gift items, which will be available for a limited time only at Gaga's Workshop. In addition to Gaga's Workshop in New York, a selection of items from the collection will also be available at Barneys New York locations nationwide and online at Barneys.com."

The retailer will be donating 25% of sales from all items featured in the workshop to a charity of Lady Gaga’s choice.

If you ask us, Christmas can't come soon enough.

The latest in shoe-collaboration news? Apparently London-based shoe designer Mark Fast has teamed up with Aldo. At least that's what they're saying over at Catwalk Queen.

In other shoe matters, the legal equivalent of the "Red Shoe Diaries" takes another step forward (or is it back?), with industry trade paper WWD reporting that Christian Louboutin plans to appeal the recent ruling by a federal judge in Manhattan that allows YSL to sell red-sole shoes.

Speaking of Manhattan, Opening Ceremony, which always throws a good party, celebrated the Bean Pole x Kim Jones collaboration with a good, old-fashioned block party on Friday.

Summer block party season will eventually give way to the tailgating and football season, and now team spirit will be as close as the nearest Old Navy. Seventy of the nation's top college athletic programs will team up with the Gap-owned label to sell branded clothes and accessories at stores across the country.

Of Women and Shoes


Shoes have an important role to play in making a woman look good. Bad shoes can ruin a woman’s looks even if she’s wearing expensive clothes. How can shoes make you look good? The following tips can serve as a good guide:

1. Go for comfort. No matter how expensive a pair of shoes is, if it is not comfortable enough to be worn, ignore it though it looks very beautiful as displayed. Go for the pair that you can wear even on a daily basis. Remember, shoes that are heavy on the wallet do not assure you of a relaxed walk or run. Even discount shoes can give you the comfort that you need. You just have to learn to choose your shoes well.

2. Know the occasion. If you are ever invited to an event, it is always good to know what it is for. Do not go blindly to a party without knowing what the dress code is. You cannot go to a beach party wearing high heel shoes, right? Or to a formal engagement party wearing skate shoes? This is certainly not a troublesome task because most hosts give out invitations to their guests which specify how formal or informal the occasion is. Just remember to read the invitation well. For invitation given over the phone, all you have to do is ask the host what you need to wear.

3. Know which shoes to wear for that dress. You do not have a fashion model to know what shoes you will wear for a particular dress. Sometimes, it only takes a little bit of common sense. The decision to wear flats, heels, pumps or peep shoes will depend on what dress you will wear. At times, all of these can go with one dress so the choice will depend on the occasion.

4. Color matters. When buying shoes, choosing the color to fit a dress can be a bit tricky. If unsure, there are always guides for color combinations which can be consulted online. However, color of the shoes also matter in certain occasions. Like it is a bit off to wear red shoes in a sad event like a funeral or when you go to a formal job interview. So, carefully select the color of your shoes in accordance with the dress you will wear plus the occasion.

If you are a woman and want to look good, choose good shoes. Carefully chosen shoes can get you to places. Good shoes can certainly give you nods of approval whether for your fashion style or even for the job that you are aiming for.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

How Do They Fit?


When it comes to shoes, there are many different brands to choose from, obviously. Many people are very fashion conscious in a world where we rely on first impressions to be the lasting impression. It may not seem like it, but shoes do make a difference. It is important that one has the right shoe for their outfit to make that amazing first impression. Taking a moment to read about two very different types of shoes will help one to understand shoe choice. Whether one is looking for pricey or discount shoes, these two can offer a wide variety of styles and prices that mend the generation gap.

Anne Klein shoes are a shoe to be admired. They mix their passion for style with elegance and class, making these shoes a choice among many. Taking a moment to browse the Ann Klein website enables one to see the various styles that are offered. There is a section for new arrivals – those shoes that make one the talk of the town, then sections for sandals, casual, career, dressy, iflex, and sale. With all of these choices, it is impossible for any woman to not find just the right shoe. These shoes can also be bought at many fine department stores around the country for those people who choose to try on shoes with a salesperson.

DC Shoe Co also sells quality shoes, but is on the opposite side of the spectrum from Ann Klien. The shoes that are sold through DC Shoes are geared toward a younger crowd and sales are targeted at not only women, but men and children. These are the preferred shoes of skaters and teens around the world are wild about them. A quick stop to DC shoes website or a store that sells them allows a user upon entrance to know if it is right for them. Unlike some shoe stores, DC shoes caters to a specific crowd, though stereotyping may not always be the case 100% of the time. The shoes sold here are functional and trendy. They are not the ideal shoes to wear to work or with a suit on a special occasion, but with any type of athletic event, these are a shoe to be reckoned with.

Regardless of the need for the shoes, these two brands can give any other a run for their money. A mom can easily go into any department store and get shoes for both themselves and their child when time is short and shoes are a priority. They are both worth the time and the money.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Color Wars: Luxury Makers Battle Over Red-Soled Shoe


Source From: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904823804576500190678090656.html

A U.S. federal judge has stepped on Christian Louboutin SA's red-soled shoes.

In a ruling Wednesday, Judge Victor Marrero denied the fashion house's request to halt sales of similar shoes made by Yves Saint Laurent, saying Louboutin would not likely prove its use of the color deserved legal trademark protection.

The issue may pale against the sea of red flowing in the markets lately, but it is big business for Louboutin, which has long colored the bottoms of its shoes to make them stand out.

The company won a trademark for red soles from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 2008 and filed suit against PPR SA's YSL in federal court in Manhattan earlier this year, alleging some of its competitor's shoes featured soles in shades of red that were uncomfortably close to its own. Judge Marrero wasn't swayed.

"Because in the fashion industry color serves ornamental and aesthetic functions vital to robust competition, the court finds that Louboutin is unlikely to be able to prove that its red outsole brand is entitled to trademark protection," the judge wrote in his opinion.

Louboutin didn't respond to requests for comment. David Bernstein, a partner at Debevoise & Plimpton who is representing YSL in the case, said the company is gratified by the court's decision. "No designer should ever be allowed to monopolize a color," he said.

Color is regularly trademarked in industrial uses—for instance, pink fiberglass insulation—where its only use is typically to distinguish a product. It gets trickier in matters of fashion, where color actually serves a fundamental purpose.

Complex uses of color like Burberry's plaid and Louis Vuitton's monogram have been trademarked, as have Tiffany's signature blue boxes. Levi Strauss & Co. has filed hundreds of suits against competitors it alleged infringed on its trademarked stitching and tag that decorate the back pockets of its Levi's jeans.

But Louboutin's claim breaks new ground, says Susan Scafidi, academic director of the Fashion Law Institute at Fordham Law School, who said she hopes the case goes to trial. The dispute is "the most interesting case in fashion intellectual property that has come down in the past couple of years," she says. "I really want an answer."

The judge delivered his views with flair of his own, invoking Whitman ("A lawyer said, What is the red on the outsole of a woman's shoe?) and asking readers to visualize "industrial models sashaying down the runways in displays of the designs and shades of the season's collections of wall insulation."

He even sketched out an imaginary suit between Picasso and Monet. His conclusion: "Color constitutes a critical attribute of the goods." In other words, it can't be trademarked.

But the order didn't settle the broader issue. The judge ordered the parties to show up in court next week to argue why he shouldn't just cancel Louboutin's trademark outright.

Some in the industry say the recent development just raises more nettlesome questions for designers trying to have some measure of protection for things they consider fashion signatures.

"Clearly, the [United States Patent and Trademark Office] took an unprecedented decision when it agreed to register the color as a mark," Steven Kolb, chief executive of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, wrote in an email. "The issue is who has authority to decide this … the USPTO or the courts?"

Monday, August 8, 2011

Difference between Cheap Shoes and Discounted Shoes


It's probably safe to say that all of us have had times before, where we tried to be satisfied with cheap shoes. By cheap, what I meant was "really cheap"--something that is so inexpensive in the sense that it can be bought for less than $10, regardless of quality and durability. The sad thing is, you could have just bough discount shoes and made the same amount in long-term savings.

If you are keeping a tight budget, your tendencies are to avoid buying expensive things. Secondary needs like clothing and footwear are neglected and delayed. The only compromise you're willing to take is to buy really cheap items. The question is, how cheap is cheap?

If you're a little bit confused with that, here are some distinctions between cheap shoes and affordable shoes:

First of all, the word "cheap" can be demeaning. There are obvious differences between the word cheap and the word affordable. The first is just plain inexpensive, while the latter is more practical and cost-effective. If you're looking for a new pair of shoes and you're on a budget, it's best to explore the affordable options. Try to find shoes of decent quality with the best value. More often than not, you will find those on sales and bargains on department stores.

Another good option is to buy discount boots, instead. You can save a lot of money with this, especially if you spend a little time browsing the 50% off sale.

The difference between simply cheap shoes and discounted shoes is evident on the quality. Cheap footwear are usually just knock-offs of the popular brands. Though, knock-offs won't last longer than a few months. Discounted shoes, on the other hand, are genuine designer shoes, like Coach shoes, given at a great discount. Like I said, you can find these on sales and bargains. You just have to keep an eye out for the good ones, or the other customers will get to them first.

Even though the ten-dollar pair of shoes is very appealing to anyone trying to keep a strict budget, the real price of cheap shoes is far from what it appears to be at first glance. If you buy the inexpensive ones, you're actually exchanging durability for quick savings. Whether or not the footwear will last a few months depends mostly on luck. Sometimes, you will have to buy replacements in no longer than a few weeks, which ultimately makes cheap shoes more expensive.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Coach Shoes: Fashion at another Level


When it comes to the Coach brand of products, there are few people in the world who do not use the terms classy and sophisticated. Coach is a luxury brand; the top of the top. It is for those who want to be elite and noticed. For many years, people have admired and sought after Coach Handbags. Now, Coach Shoes are getting the same attention worldwide as they take it by storm.

Discount shoes are not the terminology to use when thinking about buying a Coach pair of shoes. These shoes are fabulous, but are still somewhat pricey. For those who are not fashion conscious, the price will make them turn the other cheek with a lot of ease. On the other hand, for those who know what to wear and how to be the talk of the town, price will not affect their choice in buying the best shoes they can.

Coach offers a wide variety of styles and colors from perfect and comfortable platforms and clogs to dainty and feminine high heel shoes. It does not matter what it chosen because when it comes to a choice from Coach, every single choice that can be made is a winner. Coach shoes can be easily ordered from their website online as well as purchased from fine department stores and boutiques around the world. There will be none of this shoe found on the shelf of any low price stores, so remember to go to stores where there is lots of high end quality brands sold.

If ordering from the Coach Company itself on their website, the prices start out at $118.00 for a pair of flats and go up to $218.00 for some of the new arrival heels that are in this season. Even if ordering a pair of cheaper Coach Shoes, it is important to remember that they only put their name on products that they back up. If it is authentic Coach, then it is worth the money. Shoe sizes start out at 5 B. They go up by half sizes until size 10 is reached. From there, there is only a size 11 offered after. Be sure to know what the correct shoe size is when ordering. It can be more of a hassle to buy and return than to do it right the first time. Many stores have devices that can tell the correct shoe size or people who will fit a shoe to the right size in the store. Make sure to take advantage of this in order to get the perfect shoe.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Shoes and the key aspects to remember


Some of the important aspects when it comes to the purchase of shoes are discussed below as salient features. It is highly recommended that consumers would consider them seriously beneficial in using their shoes effectively. Some of the points are specially quoted for specific cases and some are generalized.

Maintenance of shoes is essential. It does not matter what kind of shoes that you do purchase. Everything needs proper care. Shoe care kit cannot idle in shelves and it has to be utilized to prevent shoes from being damaged. Suede, nubuck, PVC, leather or any kind of material out of which the shoes are made, they need regular cleaning and even polishing in some cases. Using repellants is a great idea to prevent shoes from wear and tear.

Buying durable shoes is important. Online shops are plenty. One could view the specifications of the Dansko shoes. The details about the material of the shoes, the measurements and so on. There are different views possible to see the product from various angles in the online catalogues of the websites. Still if you cannot judge them exactly on how it could when it is delivered to your doorsteps, then do not attempt to take risks. Avoid purchasing them online despite the attractive cool shades and cheaper prices. Try visiting the outlets in the nearest possible and try to see the material quality directly and confirm if it can last longer. Money spent towards shoes, which are not durable, is just like throwing away your money out of the window, as those shoes cannot last for even weeks.

Buying comfortable shoes is primordial. Shoes stretchers and other accessories could be of great help in stretching and adjusting the shoes to your requirements. Still the shoes should be bought to precise dimensions as per your needs to be cozy and comfortable from the day one. Costs cannot be a constraint for the right kind of shoes. There is several amount of time, efforts and money is saved in maintaining the right kind of footwear for a long time. Wrong discount shoes, repeated replacements, pertaining foot ailments and much other related expenditure is all swiped off in one shot when you have those good pair of shoes in your reserve.

Top brands are always respected for their top quality. Moreover, you gain a respect and impetus when you walk with something branded instead of the ordinary. On the other hand, if not the international branded footwear, certain local discount boots in many parts of the world are made with exceptional quality according to the requirements of the locality. It is a wise idea to buy the suitable ones of that sort.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Fashion News: Helen Mirren, David Beckham are 'Bodies of the Year'

Source From: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/alltherage/2011/08/fashion-news-helen-mirren-david-beckham.html

In a poll conducted by gym chain L.A. Fitness, 2,000 respondents said that Dame Helen Mirren is the "Body of the Year." At 66, Mirren beat out Jennifer Lopez, Pippa Middleton and Elle MacPherson, among others. Winning on the male side: soccer star (and model and budding clothing designer) David Beckham.

There was another royal-ish wedding over the weekend. Zara Phillips -- cousin to Britain's Prince William, daughter of Princess Royal Anne and granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II -- married rugby player Mike Tindall. The bride wore a full-skirted gown in silk faille and duchess satin with a chevron pleated corseted bodice, by couturier Stewart Parvin, and a fine tulle veil.

Prince William's wife, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, kept things low-key at the wedding, careful not to upstage the bride. The Duchess wore a cream coat that she's been seen in before. As far back as Laura Parker Bowles' wedding in 2006, in fact.

The price of gold reached an all-time high of $1,637.50 an ounce on Friday. This is a big reason we're seeing less gold, and more gemstones, in jewelry.

Biographer Lisa Chaney has a new book on Coco Chanel scheduled for release in November, and in it she claims to have evidence that the designer used drugs, embraced bisexuality and had an affair with a married Salvador DalĂ­. Oh, and that one of her lovers spied for the Nazis. I'm not sure how much of this is supposed to be surprising.

Gucci has launched a fashion app for the iPhone and iPad. It's available in eight languages at the Apple App Store.

Designer Shoes of Special Kind


Designer shoes are the next important kind of variety that is not worn by all. It is only the creamy layer of the society that would be in a position to opt for these choices. It is because of the fact that they are extremely costlier for they are specially made for the particular occasion as per the order. While placing the order it is essential that one need to explain the situations for it be to be worn, the special requirements, the preferable choices of design, shade, colors and so on. The designer will give you sample of designs of the models of the shoes that is going to be made for you as per your order. The costs associated will also be mentioned at the same time. When you do need to change or do any kind of improvisation in order to get it more attractive, you could do so in the preliminary stage itself.

Hence, the final product, the designer shoe of your dream kind will be made to satisfy you the fullest. Models, advertisement agencies, cine field men and women, rich and affluent individuals and public figures in order to display their agility in their costumes, usually purchase designer coach shoes. With the improvement in the field of science and technology, things are being made available for all rather than certain things being enjoyed by a segment of the human society. Similarly, even it the case designer shoes, trends are changing in the recent past.

Designer discount shoes of the special kind, which is profound and famous in the market, are being manufactured in bulk quantities by certain shoe brands and sold out for commercial prices. In that way, there is no grievance in the first place for the common buyer that he or she cannot aspire to wear such high quality designer shoes. Secondary aspect is that the manufacturers are not into any kind of loss, as they are not making it especially for a single person where the costs involved are very high.

They are mass manufacturing the same design and hence they are able to sell it at affordable prices. Still such designer footwear is priced at a far higher price tag than the other kinds of shoes for commercial reasons. It is because of the demand available for the prominent design in the market. Usually design wears get popular when celebrities wear them in the public to pull in the attraction of everyone. It is only after the spread of this fame and popularity of any particular design the dansko shoes manufacturers would imitate the design to be manufactured in bulk quantities.