District L

It turns out that the groundhogs were, once again, unsuccessful in determining the arrival of spring this year. Punxsutawney Phil was busy taking down his Christmas decorations and Staten Island Chuck didn’t show up because he partied too hard at Pacha last night and couldn’t find his “boys.”

So I spent this ambiguous Groundhog Day at the FFANY Shoe Show, resolving to assume the responsibility of shadow-casting. With a desire to slip my feet into a pair of unconventional solar-eclipsing wedges, I was relieved that such transitional footwear would stand to be more resilient – even during an indecisive spring.

Giuseppe Zanotti

Alejandro Ingelmo

Diego Dolcini

Emporio Armani

Post by Amanda LaMela

August got off to a scorching start for District L: Shoe shows, midnight boat parties, and music festivals certainly create gridlocks in our already-crazy schedules. Toss in a heat wave, and suddenly the world’s spinning.

Monday, August 1^st started off in a murky haze, aftermath of The Raveonettes’ delight. Despite the reluctant start, I traded feathers for pearls and began preparation for the August FFANY Shoe Show. Disinclination suddenly turned to keenness, as I walked into the first showroom on Tuesday. Old favorites like Charles Jourdan combined with exciting newcomers like Cece L’amour, all singing a similar tune – positive undulations of color.

After a week of nonstop showroom visits and Hilton-hopping, I’d already made my 2012 conclusions for feathered embellishments, stacked heels, and wooden wedges: The future of footwear looked great and we were all onboard for some fantastic trends.

And ‘onboard’ I remained – as Friday evening’s itinerary included the Yacht Rock Boat Cruise. Hosted by Nicky Digital, a crew of seafaring night owls embarked on The Clipper City Tall Ship. And it looks like next weekend, we’ll be doing it again – Jules Kim of Bijules will be hosting Good Peoples Summer Sail for more randan revelry.

Post by Amanda LaMela

FFANY Shoe Show – Day 1: Eat Wear Your Veggies.

Vegetable tones, earthy prints, and feather embellishments dictate the vibrant direction for Spring 2012. Sunwashed stripes, natural color-blocking, and floral canvases have finally reached new heights in towering wedges and stack-block heels.

The recently-launched Cece L’amour offered a range of vivid color in tall, hearty shapes. These subway-grate-friendly silhouettes also appeal to the minimalists, as brands like Charles Jourdan take a more modern approach with molded constructions.

Two more days of the FFANY Shoe Show still ahead – and we’ve got some big shoes to fill.

Post by Amanda LaMela