hey mambo, mambo italiana

this is more of a sock thing then a shoe admiration thing, and no-one does shoes and socks better then Prada. There's something of the geek chic, sexy sixties librarian to this show, and I likes it!



Also a special mention and gold star goes to the set designer for the most interesting runway i've seen this season. I'd like my walls at home like this...


Nothing really to do with shoes - although they were very cool steel capped biker boots shown, but Moschino Cheap and Chic was a whole load of stylish bananas, Hermes hat any-one...

back stage passes ya'll

with all the funfair of London Fashion Week, I CANNOT WAIT for our own A/W 10 collection to come out, the samples came in this week and it is our best collection yet, for all you shoe geeks out there, here are some pics of our beautiful designs being handmade in Spain.




I want these ones so much it hurts...

gawd bless London Fashion Week...

...and all who sail in her I say, here are the stars so far.

Central St Martins started off a little to intellectual and structural for me, but then the last two designers turned out to be my favorites so far, check out these beautiful shoes and delicate pleating on these...

my rubbish detective skills cannot find the designers individual names anywhere? which is a little odd and unfair in equal measures but here is the other standout designer,


King Kane, naturellement...

Richard Nicoll showed a de-lish collection, I loved the long tube skirts and graphic tee's and the fab stripper style shoes...


the typically wonderful space goth padded chic from Louise Goldin...

and the usual stuff from Dame Viv, nothing too original but I still want every pair of shoes and every item of clothing showed...

We are the best - natch!

*NEWS* in the week of our 5th birthday, the Laura J London Boutique has been shortlisted for the 'Great Little Shop Award' by the readers of The London Magazine. The Great little Shop Awards celebrates the very best of London’s independent retail sector, Laura J London is delighted to be in such great company as fellow nominees, Butler and Wilson, B Store and Start London, but naturally hopes we will kick their ass!

top picks from NY fashion week (so far)

Personally I find NY fashion week a bit of a bore, there are few shows I look forward to, Rodarte never fail to excite though, I find them very refreshing and I love their personal stories that they weave into their collections, this season they were inspired by their Mexican routes, and the layered shoe/sock combo used throughout the show was just dreamy...



not surprising when another noted influence is the idea of sleepwalking. Nicholas Kirkwood is indeed a shoe genuis, I hope he continues to collaborate with Rodarte for many more seasons to come as it seems here he has the chance to try something a bit different to his own line instead of pleasing his devoted platform fans all the time.

Proenza Schouler goes from strength to strength and showed a KILLA collection, with neat buttoned up shirts and jewel furs, I WANT IT ALLLLL! the shoes where a perfect balance of ugly-beautiful - LOVE IT!

I know for a fact that the other girls in the shop will hate these last two images, so here's a little Louboutin for 3.1 Phillip Lim to ease the pain...

The Luuurrve Fair....

I just want to say a massive thanks to everyone who made the Vintage fair amazing. We got fabulous press for the event in the likes of Vogue and Esquire! Thanks especially have to go to the amazing Bella De Jac for doing her fan dance in the window. The whole day was such fun that we HAD to share the pictures with you.

Roll on the next event is all I can say ...

Vic

vogue.com features our Vintage Valentines Fair

Our vintage valentines fair is going to be SO MUCH FUN tomorrow, vogue.com featured it in the news section this morning, so we're expecting a lot of high heeled feet through the door. Burlesque dancer, Bella De Jac is acting as our living breathing mannequin, performing on rotation her famed fan dance, we have vintage galore from French Kiss Vintage, hand made undergarments and nipple tassels from Bannbee and retro valentines jewellery from Lady Luck Rule OK. Make up artist, Lucy Freeman is also on hand to help you with that perfect 5o's flick and as per usual the Laura J London lovelies will be here to to help with all your footwear needs.

McQueen...You shall be missed

Just heard the awful news that LeeMcQueen has died. His genius lit up the catwalks and his death is a tragic loss. Everyone at Laura J sends their love to his family and friends.


Vic

behold! the Alexander McQueen Titanic Ballerina.

I realise this shoe blog is a little McQueen heavy but girls - com'on...

a cross between forest gump and darcy bussell, whats not to love? Simples.

An artist is somebody who produces things that people don't need to have...

if only Andy Warhol had lived to see these designs by Andreia Chaves, I think he would retract his statement, because these beautiful pieces are art for your feet, and Andy, I NEED them!

The 'invisible shoe' works much like that car in 'Die Another Day' (totally crap 007 movie with Madonna) in that the mirrored surface reflects its surroundings.

This 'prism shoe' is so stunning, I love the way the structure stands away from the foot, in the same way a hat doesn't have to hug the head, and is worn for both adornment and practicality against cold weather, Chaves is showing shoe design in a completely new light.

I wonder whose going to snap up this talented Brazilian first, I can see her designs working so well both editorially and commercially.

thanks to yatzer for images

To Wedge or not to wedge?

The merits of the wedge have been long debated here at Laura J with a distinct split between the lovers and the haters (personally I would pitch my tent in the LUUURRRVE camp), though don't tell, it is an offense worthy of a disciplinary.

Joking aside I hope that the gorgeous Dior SS wedges will unite our two sides in a no-mans land of shoe perfection. And so back to the question; To wedge or not to wedge? The answer; Wedge in a compromise!

alison mosshart blingin' booties

I saw Alison mosshart once in a really tatty but brilliant second hand shop round the corner from our shop. She had these gold boots on that she wears everywhere, they're pretty special, and probably almost definitely vintage. These Marc Jacob beauties are nearly there, but I would prefer mossharts pair over these £154 (down from £385) version, available from the superduper theoutnet.com