Racy Runway Shoes

The Fall 09 couture collections may have been sizzling, but if you’d taken a moment to pry your eyes away from Valentino’s dark sultry gowns, Givenchy’s Mid-East inspired golden touches and Dior’s boudoir babes, you’d have snuck a peek at the shoes. And what a sight they were.

Dior’s theme of vixen-like lingerie inspired sexy satin-sheathed shoes which fastened with clasps that looked suspiciously like the ones on the models’ garters. If you didn’t think you could possibly venture out of the bedroom in the see-through slips, this is a part of Dior you can wear anywhere.

Givenchy wasn’t all harems and Moroccan inspiration, the high, lace up boots gave an equestrian edge to the collection. The sheen, criss-cross laces and cut out toe give the boots a beautiful edge.

At Valentino, it was all dark romanticism with lace and soft layers, and this translated to the playful, feathery edged sandals. They were just the right amount of unusual edge that kept the sweet dresses from looking saccharine. All in all, it was a fall to remember. And I’ve certainly fallen in love with these shoes.

Bags x McQueen, Kors and Jake

Throw practicality out the window. Sometimes all a girl needs is a bag that will throw a punch – into her outfit, that is. If you’re on a quest to find bags with a little bite to them, something that will accessorize even the most basic of outfits effortlessly, look no further. Here are three bags that will give you that little extra oomph.

Leave it to Alexander McQueen to bring us a bag that mixes two of our favorite accessories, a sexy, hard-edged clutch and some heavy metal rings. It’s like the chic version of brass knuckles. I’d like to see a bag-snatcher have a go at this – one swipe and you can show him just how sturdy this baby is!

Looking to add some neon to your wardrobe without looking like you just stumbled out of the eighties? Michael Kors’ day glo colorful confection keeps you from looking like a victim and more like a vixen, with just the right amount of neon wrapped around a classic metal frame. Slip this under your arm and even your most tired of outfits will get a nice little slap in the face – and wake right up!

Everyone loves an exotic animal skin, but step it up a notch with Juliette Jake’s wrapped crocodile clutch. What makes this different than any other reptilian number? Other than the luxe, smoky grey of the bag, it is made by wrapping an 18” flap of croc skin around and around the body of the clutch. This creates a triple layer of skin that adds a three-dimensional, rich effect, and ends with an almost tail-like flap – nothing typical or flat about that. So, rather than picking up that tired black clutch to go with your LBD, add a bag that demands attention – and yes, one that bites.

Alexander McQueen at Saks Fifth Avenue
Michael Kors at Neiman Marcus
Juliette Jake at Intermix