District L

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

Before heading to Thursday’s Obesity and Speed event at OAK, I decided to kill some time on the other side of Bond Street. Initially attracted by the combination of structural décor, open space, and mood-morphing LCD backlights, my ultimate surrender to United Nude was a result of an architectural wedge catching my peripheral vision.

Not yet altered by the evening’s impending beverages, I entered the brand’s self-described “dark-shop” in complete amazement, despite past encounters on this block. This location, after all, will be reaching its one-year anniversary this month.

I asked the attentive sales associate which shoes had been generating the most attention. She pointed towards a pair of fully-laced booties that just grazed $1,000. And like a Fashion Week crasher is drawn to swag, I was immediately hooked.

Post by Amanda LaMela