Burgeoning Fashion artist

Hello fashionistas and fashionistos! Bridgett is part of the TREND staff and is an Art History major here at UCSD with fashion designer dreams. You all know how important it is to get your art work out there. Please, help her out by casting a "like" after clicking on the link below.
http://www.vincecamutoshoedesigncontest.com/Entry/e010e1665bbe4a9d_9197b3458c6bfcfb?ref=nf

To see more of Bridgett's fashion related art visit here.

Tuesday Accessory: Pledge Wedge

These wedges were created by a collaboration made in heaven: Suno and Loeffler Randall. The high wedges come in the two patterns shown above. What makes these shoes beautiful is the usage of materials. The wood base paired with the cut out napkin-like material make them both organic and ultra modern looking. While these wedges are 645 smackaroos, you can don other delightful wedges such as modcloth.com's copious amount of artsy wedges for half the price but all the beauty.
Wedges are making a comeback. Will you step into this trend?

This Week's Most Wanted

Forwood shoe, $90, aldoshoes.com

Floral Footwear

Forget the runway, lets frolic in the flowers! With springtime around the corner it's time to conform to the characteristics of the season and don floral prints! Especially when it comes to shoes, flowery footwear is a trendy way to accent a plain or neatural outfit. Available in heels, flats, sneakers, and even oxfords, flower printed shoes are a fun way to show your love of Spring! Check out the bouquet of apparel at Urban Outfitters, Anne Kelin, Forever 21 and Saks Fifth Avenue.

This Week's Most Wanted

Loeffler Randall x SUNO lace-up wedge, $645, loefflerrandall.com

This Week's Most Wanted

Diego Gonzalez Cremer custom riding boots, casadelasbotas.com, price on request

Glitz and Dazzle on NYE...

Splurge. Save.

The sparkles, the heels and the champagne glasses clinging... it's fun to go all out on New Year's Eve. It always amazes me however, how much we spend on the "New Year's Eve dress." Do you think it's worth it for one night? Maybe it is!?

Splurge. Save.

Whether you're partying in South Beach or having wine and cheese at home, here are some twentysomething tips:

1. A metallic cardigan can dress up any outfit... whether it's worn over an all-black ensemble or over a red dress.
2. Sparkles are awesome for NYE! Slip into a sequined dress with a pair of pumps.
3. If you're wearing a black dress, dress it up with a beaded or rhinestone headband.
4. Opting for jeans? I'm all for it! Pair them with a flouncy silver silk camisole and tan platform pumps.
5. Just remember - if you're wearing sequins or sparkles, please keep your jewelry simple. You want a clean, fun look and not one that resembles a gipsy. 

What are you all doing for NYE?

KIU,

Twentysomething

Cougar Boots

Cougar Tibet boots

As part of the Matchstick Influencer program, I tried out some Cougar boots and I have to say that from the moment I opened the box, I was both impressed and delighted. I was intrigued to see how these cool "outdoorsy" shoes would work for a city girl like me. 

In addition to being cute, the Tibet boots were dry as I ran through a downpour, stopping to jump in a puddle or two. I also love it's "faux sock" which is not just a cute detail, but actually kept the wind out and the warmth in. Next I tried the Ringo Star boots. Just like the Tibet boots, the Ringo Star boots are also incredibly comfortable and have a plush fleece lining with a soft fur trim. I'm already looking forward to stomping around in them when it snows, without worrying about soggy socks or frozen toes.

Winters in New York City can be brutal, so stylish boots that keep your feet dry and warm come rain, sleet or snow, are a must. Although my "great outdoors" is more about dodging taxicabs, than hiking mountains,  I've definitely found the perfect footwear to wear in my urban wilderness.

For more, check out cougarboots.com 

Cougar Ringo Star boots

There Is No Shoe Like a Natacha Marro

THURSDAY: DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT
Recommendation: Bridgett, TREND Staff Writer
Every shoe lover should know of Natacha Marro. She has not only designed for David Bowie, Gwen Stephani and supermodel Grace Jones, but she has also been a shoe designer for the latest Star Wars. Marro has been working with shoes for the past 14 years and has already pushed past boundaries making the impossible possible.

Shoes like the ones shown above have been worn by the ever so famous Lady Gaga and by Fashion doyenne Daphne Guinness. Daphne Guinness perfectly described the shoes (that she owns in a spectacular blue color) as being hooker shoes turned fabulous.

Dorothy wouldn't be able to click these heels together! The Mary Jane heel less liquid glitter shoes are something our feet will only ever dream of slipping into. There are only ten pairs made.

Look at her website, there are shoes that we have only dreamed of created into being!

Shoe, Fly! Don't Bother Me

Designer: Commes Des Garcones

     These shoes are eccentric, quirky, off-beat, but can we say ugly? Can ugly be an adjective used to describe this pair? It makes me feel uneasy because the oxford shoe (which as you know these are), is shoe that exudes a feeling of masculinity and yet there are feet with red-painted toe nails underneath. Yet they are kinda cool because the thick line of the feet make it cartoonish. It's as if the shoe reveals an x-ray cartoon you. 

Bizarre to say the least. 

-Bridgétt 

TREND Staff Writer

Step into this Trend

 

http://brassmonki.wazala.com/ has a cornacopia of neat and  funky designed Nike Shoes. With these shoes you can pay homage to your favorite super hero, singer, even internet browser (they have firefox shoes :P).  You can even request to have your own theme put on the shoe. These shoes were made for walkin'! 

-Bridgétt 

 TREND Staff Writer

Sit. Stay. Heel!

Petros Chrisostomu thinks BIG...literally. The photographs above are of oversized sculptures of heels! Although you can't wear these, you can admire adoringly. Imagine owning one of these pieces in homage to the shoe  (a love we all share). If you had one of these, nobody would doubt your love of shoes...but where would you put it? :P

"Shoes are the first adult machines we are given to master. "
-Nicholson Baker

 -Bridgétt  
TREND Staff Writer

A Shoe Lover's Dream

Customization has become the norm for everything from laptops and cellphones to bespoke clothing, to the point which all of these services are readily available online, but there is one area which so far has remained untouched: the made-to-order shoe. Even though the cult of the "it bag" has given way to the "it shoe", somehow neither Manolo or Christian have taken custom shoes to the next level by offering an online custom shoe service. After all, custom suits can be ordered online from Hong Kong, so why not a pair of fashionable heels? Now the website Shoes of Prey has made this quick and easy, offering a service that allows you to design your own pair of custom shoes and have them shipped to your door.

The interface for building your shoe is easy to use and fun. You can select the style of shoe first, such as ballet flat, bootie, gladiator or peeptoe pump then select materials and colors. As you go through the process, you can choose from approximately 75 different kinds of leather ranging from snakeskin to patent leather, in a variety of different colors. In fact, there are so many choices, it's difficult to decide on just one style or color.

A finished pair of customized shoes

  If you're curious as to how close the actual shoe will look to your design and more information on how the design process works, check out this first-hand account from Beverly. 

Maple Syrup

Etsy.com has always been one of my favorite site's to buy from. If you haven't heard of it, it is a site for artists to sell their art, jewelry, knick knacks, clothing and food.
I don't know about you, but this ring makes me hungry just looking at it.

love and lockets,
Bridgétt
TREND Staff Writer

United Nude

These exquisite computer designed heels were crafted by United Nude. United Nude shoes have been featured in magazines this year across the world. Officially sold in 35 over countries, United Nude's shoes demand attention. This particular design is part of a project titled "Lo Res" in which the shoes are part of an "automated design revolution."
Futuristic style clothing has been making its way into the fashion world (highly influenced by Lady Gaga) and what futuristic and revolutionary heels these are!

over and out,
Bridgétt
TREND Staff Writer

Shoe Art by Timrobot

All shoes and photographs by Tim Wolff

Shoe Art from Etsy

Vintage shoes, artwork by Ndeur 

Two years ago, Style Gourmand featured the maginificent designs of young graphic artist Ndeur, which included graffiti-type designs done on vintage shoes. When Ndeur decided to move on and focus on other art projects, I thought my source for one-of-a-kind piece of shoe art was was, but luckily I have found "shoe artists" to fill the void. 

Here are some of the best from Etsy sellers:

Obsessions Hand-painted shoes by cocopunkz

Kamikaze Hand-painted shoes by cocopunkz

Bubble gum girl Hand-painted heels by Studio Jellyfish

Sole Trippin by taylorsays 

You can also try making your own footwear masterpiece: checkout this how-to video from Bobsmade.

Spat On: How to Make that Old Shoe Look New Again

Spats are leather or cloth coverings that can be strapped onto the upper part of a shoe and a clever way to give a plain pair of shoes a makeover. This nifty accessory can be found in almost every shape, color and fabric on Etsy, and some seller's even take custom orders. Below is a list of my faves all from Etsy.

Ivory Leather Flower Spats by joiacouture


Turquoise Leather Viviana Cut Out Spats by Ashes and Empires


Royal Blue Leather Spat from Leather Made Nice


Lisette Herringbone Spats with Brass Studs & Scallop
detail by Ashes and Empire


Gizelle Herringbone Spats with Leather Ruffles
& Buttons by Ashes and Empires

Ndeur's Tricked out vintage shoes

"Beaux amis"
From I-pods to credit cards and cars to M&Ms, nearly anything can be customized and Canadian graphic artist Matthieu Ndeur is applying his creative talent to customizing vintage shoes, hand-painting them with his fun, bright street-inspired designs. Simply e-mail the measurements of your foot and the design you would like and soon will have your own chic wearable art. 25 year old Ndeur's designs are also featured in murals, and designs on sneakers and t-shirts.

Get your very own one-of-a-kind pair at Etsy.com (now on sale for $180)


All photos courtesy of ndeur.com & etsy.com

"I love you this much"


"O My"

For more photos and info about Matthieu Ndeur's work http://www.ndeur.com/ or

http://www.myspace.com/ndeurr


"VIP room"