Personalised style

Posted on July 4, 2017 by stylleque

From the kaleidoscopic tiled floor to the use of shoe vamps as holders of pens, brushes and various other implements, shoemaker extraordinare Giovanna Zanella’s colourful personality is reflected in her eclectic store-cum-workroom.

An artisan with more than 10 years’ experience of making shoes, sandals and boots in an unobtrusive shopfront in Venice’s Campo San Lio, Giovanna works over her commissions as painstakingly as a sculptor would a composition in marble.

Giovanna Zanella at work

Amongst a cluttered medley of sandpaper, nails, pliers and rasps, one-of-a-kind creations in leather, fabric or animal skin are designed and given their own unique character. Whether ordering a bespoke pair or purchasing her own imaginative designs it is all about an experience, not a commodity. With the passion and craftsmanship of a sculptor Giovanna unveils the spirit of the shoes.

Giovanna Zanella’s shoe store window

For more, visit www.giovannazanella.it.

Block heels give a fresh boost to foot bling

Posted on November 13, 2013 by stylleque

Do you sometimes want a sexy daytime alternative to stilettos?

Flats are not a favoured option for me, high wedges work okay but most times I’d prefer a heel. The answer is the block heel. The good thing these days is that there is more choice for a thicker heel than the funky disco platforms and heels of the1970s.

Frame 1 for block heels

Miu Miu has shaped a block heel in an open-toed shoe and Erdem has sexied up a pointy-toed pump with a contrast coloured heel. If a thick block heel is a bit too much of a stretch from a stiletto, Chanel has a knotted one but gives it a wider base, as worn by Katy Perry to Chanel’s Spring 2014 show (photo credit: INFphoto.com, style.com).

My favourite pair of walking shoes is Michael Kors denim and cork – they’re comfy, stylish and hold my feet securely.

I love these pointy-toed pumps by Donald J Pliner. These heels are transparent and while they are seemingly fragile they give solid support.

In the US this year I bought a pair of two-toned BCBMAXARIA sandals with a white block heel with silver detail.

(After racing up and down the Las Vegas Strip to find them in my size, I found that both Wittner and Betts at home in Brisbane stock the same sandal!)

The block heel is certainly in fashion this season with RMK, Ginger & Smart, Nude and Scanlan & Theodore all featuring the trend.

Steptoe on the runway

Posted on October 21, 2012 by stylleque

On a whim I booked a ticket to a shoe parade showcasing the Steptoe brand which has a store in Brisbane’s James Street.

So often shoes are paraded as accessories on the catwalk and it was refreshing to see the tables being turned on fashion. Mini spotlights positioned at ankle height along the edges of the catwalk showed off each pair as singular works of beauty. Each worn with the simplest of black dresses, this show was all about the shoes.

The range included platform heels, strappy flats and wedges; patent, suede and pop colours; glitter and bows – something for every social occasion a girl might attend.

MC for the evening, media personality Damien Anthony Rossi added colour and panache to the evening – ending in stylish humour as he stepped out wearing a gorgeous pair of orange Steptoe heels, and looked absolutely fabulous!

It’s all about the shoe at The Cosmopolitan Hotel (below) in Vegas too!

Stepping out in Vegas

Posted on July 28, 2012 by stylleque

I’m on a work team as part of the global corporate challenge, gettheworldmoving.com. For the past month I have been wearing a pedometer and recording the number of steps I do each day.

I promised the team that I would continue to do this while on holiday in Vegas. The challenge in Vegas is how many steps can you do in heels – on rough pavement, slick marble floors and hot asphalt paths! So, in an attempt not to let the team down I had to be a bit creative in the footwear department.

Enter the sneaker wedge! Isn’t this a fabulous concept? Here’s Chloe’s version –

But I loved the black lace version by Dolce & Gabbana – a bit of fashion frivolity to match with a LBD. This is the only fashionable reason I can think of to wear rubber soles!

A fashionable way to travel

Posted on July 4, 2012 by stylleque

I’m about to embark on a 13+ hour flight to the USA for my annual holiday in Las Vegas, and as I pack and repack my suitcase I wonder if its really possible to wear something fashionable (instead of jeans and tshirt) on the plane and disembark at the other end looking fresh and fashionable, or just fashionably jet-lagged.

Anyway, the final word in travelling in style and ultimate luxury must go to the Autumn/Winter 2012/2013 Paris collection by Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton – I was really blown away by the sense of theatre used to produce a vision of elegance and style – wouldn’t it be great to arrive at the end of a long journey with such composure! If you haven’t seen this, view it on www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXY_R1ipfOE (courtesy fatalefashionII).

Get ready for winter

Posted on May 20, 2012 by stylleque

Time to dust off your boots and find all those tights and leggings you pushed to the back of the wardrobe last year. Bare legs are making way for fashion tights in colours of fuchsia, magenta, latte and the quintessential black – striped, checked, fishnets and plain.

Will you try the plaid socks look like Prada this year? Or are there enough varieties of tights to get your stylish juices flowing?

What are your style icons for this winter?

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Category Archives: Shoes