The Art of the Shoe

Manolo Blahnik is on a slight whirlwind tour these days, celebrating his 40 years in business and a new tome, Fleeting Gestures and Obsessions.  This couture cobbler remains steadfast in his feelings about designing his sexy, signature pumps and mules that give the illusion of an elongated leg.  No platforms for him!  Inspired by art, architecture, film, travel and more, the designs and look of the book are lavishly displayed.  "It's all about the  balance," Manolo explains.  The same holds true for interior design, so I thought it would be fun to use the shoes as inspiration; one inspiring the other, because often times, they do.

Manolo can credit becoming a shoe designer to a happy accident.  He was asked to design shoes for an Ozzy Clarke fashion show.  His inexperience worked to his advantage because the models were forced to assume an unusual gait as they walked the runway so as not to fall flat on their faces.  The critics and show-goers stood up and took notice.  The rave reviews motivated Manolo to study the business of shoe design and he has since gone on to create more than 30,000 different designs.

He strongly believes in the importance of referencing the past to inform the future ~

His designs are sharp and timeless ~

Attention Grabbing and Sexy ~

Festive and Unique ~

Classic and Elegant ~

and Neutral and Sensual ~

Manolo stumbled upon his life's passion and spent a career pursuing the perfection of the art of the shoe.  That's not what I call a fleeting obsession!



shoe photos:Michael Roberts

As Luck Would Have It...

2011 is the YEAR OF THE RABBIT ~ a lucky sign;  a time for introspection, catching your breath, "getting your house in order"

The Chinese calendar starts the new year on the 2nd moon after the winter solstice.  It has been this way for  more the 2,000 years.  Twelve animals are represented and then repeated.
I was born in the year of the ox, which explains a lot!

photo credits: Moooi, fashionfile, Newell Turner, readymade, TeenVogue, Michael Levine, Elle Decor

Shaggy Chic

After yesterday's post, I could not stop thinking about sheepskin and curly mongolian lamb.  Most of us will never own a Lalanne sheep but we can easily incorporate the look/feel of real/faux sheepskin  into our lives.
 These fur vests are all over the runway; but they makes SOME of US look fat.

A single statement piece in the home could just be the thing to make a room sing.

 The J.J. Chair by Antonio Citterio is glamorously comfortable and sophisticatedly styled.

This chair is calling my name!  Jean Michael Frank's Cube Chair is being reintroduced for Hermes as part of a new home line, Maison Hermes, some time in 2011.  Couldn't you just melt into that?

Still too much?  You can't go wrong with a pouf. They work with any style and can be found at any price point.

Still not convinced?  I always say,"When in doubt make a pillow."

And that is exactly what I did for a client's office.

photos:NY Times,Stark,West Elm,Net-a-poter