Being the Barefoot Princess--an introduction
January 30, 2006
I have decided to introduce you to my blog, "Being the Barefoot Princess", with an essay I recently wrote, which will give you an idea as to what this "blog" (I really hate that word, the sound, the letters, everything about it--I am going to come up with a better word for this) will be about. I hope that you enjoy--Mireille, the Barefoot Princess
I have decided to introduce you to my blog, "Being the Barefoot Princess", with an essay I recently wrote, which will give you an idea as to what this "blog" (I really hate that word, the sound, the letters, everything about it--I am going to come up with a better word for this) will be about. I hope that you enjoy--Mireille, the Barefoot Princess
For most of us winter is just beginning, there is much more cold weather to come, and it is not yet the time to pack up our cashmere sweaters, shearling lined boots, and long warm coats. However, in the world of fashion spring has already begun. Buyers have already attended the spring 2006 fashion shows and bought the lines they will carry for spring. In the stores their purchases are beginning to be displayed. Winter clothes are already on sale, resort lines almost done, and spring clothes and shoes are out in full force. With snow still falling and temperatures still dropping, it is often hard to imagine oneself in the new spring collections: white, crisp, short-sleeved shirts, cropped and tailored khakis, and “pedicure-required” sandals and wedges.
Even though I personally prefer my cashmere to the thin, cool, fabrics of spring and summer, I cannot help but venture out in the cold of January to satisfy my curiosity as to what the next season has to offer. I can even summon a slight desire for warmer weather when I catch a glimpse of a lovely, girlish white spring dress by Marni, or a pair of slim “Pixie” khaki pants by Tory Burch. However, the new spring shoes are the very first things that I look at.
It has become a yearly ritual for me—going to my favorite shoe shops to see what my favorite shoe designers have proffered for spring. This first January visit is usually meant to be just a glance, just a “look-see”, browsing, not the time yet for purchases. Nevertheless, the spring collections this year absolutely did me in--by this I mean my usually short “visits”, turned into rather lengthy “stays”. I was thrilled to see the delicate, simple, and so very feminine ballet flats by Azzedine Alaia, the equally as feminine satin strapped wedges by Prada, and the wonderful navy leather peep-toe heels by Christian Louboutin.
Since the rise of the flat last spring, I have traded in my heels preferring to walk about in the way of Audrey Hepburn in my black suede Alaia ballet shoes from last season, and my grey flannel Louboutin flats from the fall. I knew that the flat would not go away soon, but I did not imagine that in this 2006 spring season the flat would come back in so many magnificent ways. Of course the flat this year has again been juxtaposed against the wedge, which for 2006 has gone away from last spring’s simple cork and espadrille styles, to a much more embellished wedge—the jewels on Dior, the stitched leather on Clergerie, and the floral appliqué on Miu Miu. I have given the wedge a good try, but alas to no avail—I keep turning my ankle! And believe me, this is far from graceful.
In the first store that I visited I made a beeline to Prada sport, knowing the consistency of the line, how well they fit me, and how amazingly comfortable the shoes from this collection have always been. It did not take more than two minutes for me to see “my” shoes—pale pink leather flats that literally looked exactly like the ballet shoes I wore when I was six years old. I absolutely could not resist asking the salesperson to bring me a pair in my size. I put them on and immediately wanted to grab the barre and do a proper plié. I looked down at my feet and became absolutely giddy—I think I might have even blushed! The decision was made and in a complete diversion from my look-see mindset, I bought those beautiful pink shoes. I quickly threw out all of my knowledge about seasonal colors and textures, freed those pink ballets from their box and tissue, and wore them the very next day.
On the second day of my spring shoe previews I took a long time walking around the store. Fortunately the salesperson that I usually work with was engaged with another customer at the time, so I figured I was safe from any diversions. As I walked past the woven, kiltie flats from Bottega Veneta, and the suede pointed “loafer” interpretation of the classic Blahnik ballet, the patent leather wedge from Prada and the simple leather top-stitched sandal from Henry Begulin, I stopped for a second in front of a Lanvin display. There was a pair of shoes in two metallic shades that piqued my interest. I have never been a big fan of metallic colors, and the shoes were very basic, not much obvious construction to them. Still, since last season I had been keeping my eye out for the Lanvin line to appear in this store. My good friend and also salesperson at the store arrived as I was mulling over the shoes. I expressed excitement to see Lanvin in the store, as well as my dislike for the metallic colors being shown.
As is my fate, I picked up one of the Lanvin shoes, slipped it on my foot and my friend disappeared to the back to procure a pair in my size. And again I had seriously veered from the agenda for the visit. The shoes came out in a deep black box with Lanvin written in its signature capital gold letters. They went on my feet like slippers, bare, and I stood up and smiled, for I had found a second treasure. The shoes are not truly flat; they have a clever built-in heel that cannot be seen from the outside of the shoe. They stretched out effortlessly and hugged the perimeter of my feet, coming up just far enough to keep them on my feet, not far enough to cover my high arch, and hitting the top of my foot in that perfect spot that discreetly shows a bit of “toe cleavage”. As the repeat goes, these shoes also came home with me, and also were spared a month’s time in the box.
No matter the rhyme or reason, I have an intense love affair with my shoes, the ones I already own, and the ones that are in my future. I have “found” the perfect shoes to build my spring wardrobe around; now I just have to hope and pray that I don’t wear these fabulous shoes out before the sun starts to melt the snow and nature’s spring begins.
Even though I personally prefer my cashmere to the thin, cool, fabrics of spring and summer, I cannot help but venture out in the cold of January to satisfy my curiosity as to what the next season has to offer. I can even summon a slight desire for warmer weather when I catch a glimpse of a lovely, girlish white spring dress by Marni, or a pair of slim “Pixie” khaki pants by Tory Burch. However, the new spring shoes are the very first things that I look at.
It has become a yearly ritual for me—going to my favorite shoe shops to see what my favorite shoe designers have proffered for spring. This first January visit is usually meant to be just a glance, just a “look-see”, browsing, not the time yet for purchases. Nevertheless, the spring collections this year absolutely did me in--by this I mean my usually short “visits”, turned into rather lengthy “stays”. I was thrilled to see the delicate, simple, and so very feminine ballet flats by Azzedine Alaia, the equally as feminine satin strapped wedges by Prada, and the wonderful navy leather peep-toe heels by Christian Louboutin.
Since the rise of the flat last spring, I have traded in my heels preferring to walk about in the way of Audrey Hepburn in my black suede Alaia ballet shoes from last season, and my grey flannel Louboutin flats from the fall. I knew that the flat would not go away soon, but I did not imagine that in this 2006 spring season the flat would come back in so many magnificent ways. Of course the flat this year has again been juxtaposed against the wedge, which for 2006 has gone away from last spring’s simple cork and espadrille styles, to a much more embellished wedge—the jewels on Dior, the stitched leather on Clergerie, and the floral appliqué on Miu Miu. I have given the wedge a good try, but alas to no avail—I keep turning my ankle! And believe me, this is far from graceful.
In the first store that I visited I made a beeline to Prada sport, knowing the consistency of the line, how well they fit me, and how amazingly comfortable the shoes from this collection have always been. It did not take more than two minutes for me to see “my” shoes—pale pink leather flats that literally looked exactly like the ballet shoes I wore when I was six years old. I absolutely could not resist asking the salesperson to bring me a pair in my size. I put them on and immediately wanted to grab the barre and do a proper plié. I looked down at my feet and became absolutely giddy—I think I might have even blushed! The decision was made and in a complete diversion from my look-see mindset, I bought those beautiful pink shoes. I quickly threw out all of my knowledge about seasonal colors and textures, freed those pink ballets from their box and tissue, and wore them the very next day.
On the second day of my spring shoe previews I took a long time walking around the store. Fortunately the salesperson that I usually work with was engaged with another customer at the time, so I figured I was safe from any diversions. As I walked past the woven, kiltie flats from Bottega Veneta, and the suede pointed “loafer” interpretation of the classic Blahnik ballet, the patent leather wedge from Prada and the simple leather top-stitched sandal from Henry Begulin, I stopped for a second in front of a Lanvin display. There was a pair of shoes in two metallic shades that piqued my interest. I have never been a big fan of metallic colors, and the shoes were very basic, not much obvious construction to them. Still, since last season I had been keeping my eye out for the Lanvin line to appear in this store. My good friend and also salesperson at the store arrived as I was mulling over the shoes. I expressed excitement to see Lanvin in the store, as well as my dislike for the metallic colors being shown.
As is my fate, I picked up one of the Lanvin shoes, slipped it on my foot and my friend disappeared to the back to procure a pair in my size. And again I had seriously veered from the agenda for the visit. The shoes came out in a deep black box with Lanvin written in its signature capital gold letters. They went on my feet like slippers, bare, and I stood up and smiled, for I had found a second treasure. The shoes are not truly flat; they have a clever built-in heel that cannot be seen from the outside of the shoe. They stretched out effortlessly and hugged the perimeter of my feet, coming up just far enough to keep them on my feet, not far enough to cover my high arch, and hitting the top of my foot in that perfect spot that discreetly shows a bit of “toe cleavage”. As the repeat goes, these shoes also came home with me, and also were spared a month’s time in the box.
No matter the rhyme or reason, I have an intense love affair with my shoes, the ones I already own, and the ones that are in my future. I have “found” the perfect shoes to build my spring wardrobe around; now I just have to hope and pray that I don’t wear these fabulous shoes out before the sun starts to melt the snow and nature’s spring begins.
posted by Mireille at 4:10 PM
2 comments
