RANT OF THE WEEK: Extreme Heels!

Now ShoesieQ ie fully aware that she’s in danger of sounding like your dear old mum here. But listen up! For when the mega cool and sexy Cara Delevingne tells Vogue magazine that, “The worst part of being a model? I hate high heels, more than anything” surely that’s worth paying attention to, no?

 

Especially as that interview was over 2 years ago, and the extreme heel has been banished to fashion Siberia for a good couple of seasons now. Yet the uber-heel refuses to die.

 

Proof if proof is needed came for ShoesieQ earlier this year at the otherwise wonderful Cambridge Style Week. This marvellous event featured ShoesieQ’s shoe shop, Modish, amongst the likes of LK Bennett, Hobbs and many more illustrious local and national stores.

Anyway, an acquaintance of ShoesieQ came up to her afterwards and commented that hers was the only catwalk where the models smiled. Now ShoesieQ had been far too busy being nervous to notice, but said mate was bang on! All the rest of the brands put their models in the highest heels possible – and it showed in their faces. How is being miserable a good look?!

And that’s before ShoesieQ gets on to the physical damage they wreak on us. Yes, she knows, she really DOES sound like your mum now. And that may be so, but ShoesieQ has just 3 words for you, if you’re a devotee of skyscraper heels. And they are:

Victoria Beckham’s feet.

Now ShoesieQ did consider adding a pic here to illustrate the point, but decided against it on the grounds that it may disturb readers of a nervous or delicate disposition 😉  But if you really want to see something truly scary – Google them now! High heel devotees – that is your future! And probably sans the delights of being married to the divine David, which even ShoesieQ suspects would easy the pain somewhat (unless those rumours are to be believed………..)

Anyway, the really mad part of this, is that these days you can buy great looking shoes that don’t crucify you. Lose an inch or two off the heel for starters, and look out for shops with brands that aren’t just about high fashion.  Cos even if you still want that classic sexy high heel, there are still some great options out there that won’t crucify you.

 

Take these beauties by Hogl that have just turned up at Modish. They’ve got mega soft uppers, a light and flexible sole, plus the special “softline“ tread that is Hogl’s trademark.

So if, despite everything, you just can’t give up your high heel habit, pop a pair of these babies on. Your feet will thank you. You have ShoesieQ’s word on that!

ShoesieQ goes shoe shopping in Milan – Part II

So, ShoesieQ finds herself in the middle of a thriving Italian city full of yummy restaurants, yummy bars, and, ermmmmm, yummy Italians. And what did she do?

Well, completely contrary to form she stayed in her room diligently reviewing everything she’d seen that day at MICAM, writing down who see was going to see when the next day, and then – BED! At 9.30pm!  The last time ShoesieQ went to bed that early she was probably still wearing flowery pink PJs and had been sent upstairs early by her mum cos she’d been a naughty girl. And, for the avoidance of doubt, that was well over 3 decades ago………

Her reward for such unusually virtuous  behaviour was to wake up with a relatively clear head, ready to peruse yet more shoes! So she dropped her bag back off at the Pedro Miralles stand (see pic below), as that had been a bit of a lifesaver the day before, then beetled off to do some serious shoe shopping!

The Pedro Miralles stand, Micam

 

And what a day it was! Lots of appointments with suppliers both old and new, with orders placed for over a thousand pairs by the end of the day. All this combined with plenty of wandering around drooling at footwear, as ShoesieQ managed to get through her appointments in surprisingly quick time. Doubtless thanks to being super-organised for a change!

In fact it was all going so well that, feeling ever-so-slightly-smug, ShoesieQ reckoned that she even had enough time before catching her flight home to pay a social call to a couple of her suppliers. So she wandered off to the K&S stand, home of uber-chic uber-comfy ballet pumps and had a good ol chin wag with the lovely Mark.

Having caught up with all the latest gossip ShoesieQ decided that it was  time to call in a day and start thinking about the long trip home. But walking back through the many halls that make up MICAM ShoesieQ stopped dead in her tracks, mouth agape, and doubtless dribbling slightly, truth be told.

No, dear reader, she wasn’t having a stroke. But she had stumbled across her find of the show – YKX. No, ShoesieQ hadn’t heard of them either, partly cos they don’t sell to anyone in the UK.  As you can see from this pic (bit rubbish, sorry!) they are brilliant for casual boots, chunky soles and buckles. In fact a bit like what you see in All Saints but for about half the price 🙂 So ShoesieQ  just HAD to place an order. Which she duly did.

So she left that stand with the lovely warm, slightly smug feeling of someone who’d had pretty much the perfect day in the office (not that that happened terribly often when ShoesieQ actually had an office, but we digress), and started the 5 minute walk back to the Pedro Miralles stand to pick up her bag. She looked down at her watch, and with a start realised that  it was almost 7pm, ie when the fair closed. But hey, this is Italy, the land not known for its punctuality. And none of the stands ShoesieQ could see were shutting up shop. So she breathed a sigh of relief, but quickened her pace just in case.

 

 

5 mins later ShoesieQ arrived at the Pedro Miralles stand, where her suitcase was being stored. To find it very securely locked. Bugger. She then went to the other stand the Pedro rep was working on. Also closed. She then remembered that said rep’s mobile hasn’t been working for the entire time he’d been in Italy so there was no way of contacting him. Drat and double drat. Or words to that effect.

So she tried talking to the Security team. And no, it seemed that there’s no such thing as a masterkey for the stands. So she tried talking to the Information team. And no, it seemed that they don’t have a list of the mobile numbers for stand reps either. Double and triple bugger!!

So – taking a deep breath ShoesieQ decided to take a look into her handbag to see if there was any chance she could make it home with what was in there. And lo and behold she found her passport, her boarding card, enough money for the metro and coach to get her to Bergamo airport, the keys for her car, house and shop (as she had to go to work the next day). Bit lucky huh?!

Sure it was chucking it down with rain and ShoesieQ’s coat was securely locked away with her bag. And she wasn’t entirely sure if it was still possible to get to Bergamo airport in the 2 and a half hours she had before the gate closed. But hell, she was going to give it a go!

And, dear reader, she made it. Not least due to the help of the very kind Iris, from MICAM’s Information team, who told ShoesieQ which Metro line she needed to take, and where to change. Plus the very patient policeman at Milan Centrale station who managed to understand ShoesieQ’s appalling Italian and tell her where the bus to Milan departed from.

And last, but very much not least, thanks also need to go to the charming Fabrizio from Pam shoes, who on hearing ShoesieQ had left her bag at the fair, extracted it from the Pedro stand and found someone to bring it back to the UK. Not to mention Chris and Rob from Manas, who are the people he persuaded to bring it back home with them!

Finally, and in case there’s anyone out there in the blogosphere wondering what exactly will be coming in to Modish as a result of all of these fun and games – fret not! For over the Easter weekend ShoesieQ will be giving you a sneak preview of just what you can expect to see in the shops come the autumn 🙂

ShoesieQ goes shoe shopping in Milan – Day 1

Thrill of all thrills – earlier this month ShoesieQ found herself at one of the world’s biggest Shoe trade shows, namely MICAM, on the outskirts of Milan.

Sure, it’s a tough old job, but someone’s got to do it, if only to ensure  the good womenfolk of Cambridge, Saffron Walden and their environs are properly shod. Yes, sacrifice is indeed ShoesieQ’s new middle name 😉

Mind you, it was seriously hard work. Seriously! Partly cos ShoesieQ’s a bit fond of her bed. And going to this fair meant she had to get up at 3 o’clock in the morning to catch the very first flight out of Standsted at 6.30. Ouch!

But all this was forgotten as she managed to get to the show just as the doors were opening at 10 – result!

First stop was the Pedro Miralles stand where ShoesieQ was allowed to dump her suitcase – then  on with the very important job of buying lots of shoes and boots for Modish’s Autumn/Winter collection for 2014.

This involved a level of military planning that, those of you who know ShoesieQ even slightly, will realise is somewhat alien to her somewhat laid back and generally disorganised nature. But it was vital simply because of the scale of the event. For MICAM is made up of 7 halls, all of which are about the same size as the NEC. There are literally thousands of exhibitors and hundreds of thousands of shoes and boots, all calling out for ShoesieQ’s attention, with just 2 days to see them.

So in an attempt to avoid shoe-overload ShoesieQ set up appointments with the suppliers she really wanted to see, with enough time in the middle for lots of browsing.

First stop was an amazing brand called Papucei. Heard of them? Thought not! They’re based in Romania, which has a little-known but thriving shoe industry. And they design THE most wonderful-but-slightly-barking-mad shoes and boots ShoesieQ’s been fortunate enough to set her eyes on.

They change their designs every year, but here’s a pic from one of last years’ collection to give you a taster.

Only slight problem was when ShoesieQ decided to try on a rather lovely pair of boots with a zip up the back. They looked great, but were a really tight fit on the leg so she decided that they probably weren’t right for Modish. However when she can to take them off this happened……….

Yes, for the very first time in her life, ShoesieQ had to be cut out of a pair of boots! Mortifying! Needless to say this particular pair won’t be making it into the shop 😉

What’s worse, ShoesieQ was wearing a pair of loafers, so there was no hiding that hole! But as luck would have it, she had packed a pair of ankle boots too, so it was back to the Pedro Miralles stand for a quick footwear change, and then on with the rest of the show.

The remainder of the day passed in a frenzy of meeting suppliers, looking at shoes, and towards the end, supping a much-needed energy drink or 3 (aka prosecco – the Khrio stand rather helpfully had a bar), before ShoesieQ bid a retreat to her hotel for a bit of a recap of the day, an attempt to plan for tomorrow and last but certainly not least – SLEEP!

As for how the next day went – well ShoesieQ will be posting that tomorrow. And if you think the holey-tights incident was a bit unfortunate, just wait and see what the next installment brings!

Modish hits the catwalk again!

Oh dear, oh dear where does the time go? It hardly seems to be five minutes since the Inaugural Independent Cambridge Fashion show, but a quick glance at the calendar on ShoesieQ’s computer reveals that almost 2 weeks have passed.

In case you missed it, well, WHAT a show!! Firstly it took place in the most gorgeous venue, namely the Debating Chamber of the Cambridge Union. So we were all stepping on the hallowed ground that has seen the likes of the Dalai Lama, Winston Churchill and, errmmmmm Katie Price 😉

So we lined up with some of the very best retailers that Cambridge has to offer, including Cuckoo,Petrus, Prohibido Lingerie and 19:10, grabbed ourselves some natty specs by Taank optometrists (who we were also modelling for) and hit the runway!

Perhaps before ShoesieQ goes any further she should mention that she chose her footwear BEFORE putting on  her glasses……………

Move over Naomi!Toyah,Sarah,Ellie, Caroline & Izzy are in town!

This pic was taken just before our first forray onto the catwalk, where we were channelling a bit of a festival vibe.

Izzy looking stunning!

Round 2 was a more elegant affair, though we had some fun as decided that on the catwalk we’d have a game of “champagne relay” substituting the baton with the bottle we emptied at half time 🙂

So all in all much fun was had by all. And we managed to raise some money for Maggie Wallace Cancer Care Centre to boot. AND not only did all of our models manage to avoid doing a Naomi tumble on the catwalk, but they all bought a pair of the shoes that they modelled,which was nice!

Chicken wellies by Evercreatures

…..or perhaps you prefer cow?!

Finally ShoesieQ thought that she should mention that the wellies that she was wearing in the first half were some of the best that have ever graced her feet. They’re by a brand that’s new to Modish called Evercreatures, the quality is brilliant and yet they only cost £35! Have attached a couple of pics so you can see for yourselves. In fact ShoesieQ loved them so much she couldn’t decide which to wear – which is why she decided to model both………

Fianlly finally a big thanks goes to Modish’s beautiful models, namely Toyah, Izzy, Ellie and Caroline, not to mention Taank optometrists who provided some seriously gorgeous eye-candy for us to wear. But last but certainly not least thanks so much to Anne Prince and her team at Independent Cambridge for pulling off such a brilliant show. And for being all round lovely people 😉

Shoes + Specs = Indie Cambridge Fashion Show, 11th July

Ok, ok, perhaps that’s not necessarily an equation that would bear close scrutiny……… 😉  But hey, maths was never ShoesieQ’s strong suit.

What we’re trying to say here is that ShoesieQ’s little shoe shop Modish is thrilled to be teaming up with those clever stylish people at Taank Optometrists on the catwalk next week. Because we’re going to be taking to the catwalk again, this time in aid of Maggie Wallace Cancer Care Centre on Thursday 11th July 2013, 7.30pm – 10.30pm at The Cambridge Union Society on  Bridge Street

It’s all part of the celebrations surrounding Independent Retailer Month, which has given the lovely local boutiques featured in the Independent Cambridge book the perfect excuse to be flaunting their finest at their very first fashion show!

Tickets cost just £10 and include a free glass of wine. Plus you get to see some of the very best clothing and accessories that Cambridge has to offer. As Modish is going to be in very good company on the night. Some of ShoesieQ’s very favourite Cambridge Indies will be taking part, including Cuckoo,Petrus, Prohibido Lingerie and 19:10, not to mention our neighbours on Green Street Open Air and that other great shoe shop Sundaes.

And last but not least what better opportunity to see if ShoesieQ practices what she preaches? Namely to provide the good women of Cambridge and beyond shoes that look great AND are easy to walk in. Cos yours truly will once more be taking to the catwalk. And though in many ways she’d love to be compared to a Supermodel, she’s rather hoping that she’ll not be doing a Naomi on the night……….

Note to self: must wear big knickers on Thurs. Just in case…. 😉

 

Modish at the Saffron Walden Fashion Show – Part II

As promised here’s Modish’s contribution to the second half of the Saffron Walden Fashion Show.

This time we were strutting our stuff to that 1980’s classic Adam Ant’s Goody Two Shoes.

And although this was a bit before our first model’s time, Hannah tackles this musical challenge with her usual grace – firstly in a pair of mid heel sandals by Lunar (£45) followed by some skyscrapers by Iron Fist (£69.99)

Penny came next and sashayed down the catwalk in a pair of Black patent courts (Tamaris, £55) and some mad patent kitten heels in fire-engine-stop-the-traffic red by Bronx (£75).

Last but not least was ShoesieQ. I too opted for some red kitten heels,but this time by Lunar (£45), and then what are perhaps the most comfortable pair of evening shoes I’ve had the pleasure to pop onto my delighted tootsies by Audley. Not cheap at £175 – but worth every penny.

Mind you I’m not sure anyone was really studying my shoes at this point – they were too busy looking at my prop! You’ll see what I mean if you click on the link to the vid below.

Finally I’d just like to make a special mention to our camerawoman Susan Harvey who did a great job filming us without laughing (too) much..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F8PNvyovI8

Modish shoes hit the catwalk again!

I know, I know! Anyone who saw my attempts at,errrrrrmmmmmm, modelling 18 months ago  would think that, perhaps, it would be best to let sleeping dogs lie. Or at least stick to the Airfix variety rather than the catwalk version.  And if you don’t believe me, just check out my blog post ‘Naomi, Kate, Agyness, Cindy. Meet Karen, Hannah, Penny & Kathryn’ from Oct 28th 2010. See what I mean?!

But ShoesieQ is made of stern stuff. She also has shoes to sell! So when we were invited back by Wallace Cancer Care she jumped at the chance. But who would join me?

Up to the plate stepped Hannah and Penny. Hannah provided the star turn last time: elegant, composed and stylish. Which took some doing. Especially as she was 7 months pregnant at the time. And then there was Penny, who manages my Saffron Walden shop. Penny turned me down flat last time, so I didn’t hold out much hope. But I was wrong!

So, we roll up to Saffron Walden Town Hall fuelled by a bottle of Prosecco and some nibbles. But all of us surprisingly calm. Even the rookie Penny was taking it all in her stride. Despite the fact that with just 3 models it meant we’d each take 2 trips up the runway ie 4 in total per ‘model’ –  firstly in our day shoes, and then rocking more of an evening look.

So Hannah’s out first, wearing a rather gorgeous 50’s inspired dress. We thought we’d go for the ‘festival look’ with her, so she starts off wearing a pair of the utterly fabulous-yet-a-bit-bonkers Wedge Wellys (£45) followed by the cutest flip flops by Mel (£18)

Penny was up second. She starts off with some mid heeled nude slingbacks by Spanish designer Pedro Miralles (£89.99) but then throws caution to the wind with the maddest 6 inch heels ever – featuring a sparkly union jack (£79.99) by Californians Iron Fist.

Lastly it’s the turn of yours truly. I too opt for the relative safety of a pair of plum coloured sandals by Fly London to start (£84.99), followed by a pair of cut-away wedges by Calvin Klein (at just £85 – a designer barg!).

Mind you I almost didn’t make it out for round 2. As I’d forgotten quite how short the first track I’d chosen was – Elvis’s Blue suede shoes – which clocks in at about 2 mins 30 seconds. So I was in the middle of changing into my CKs when the sound man calmly informed me that we had 35 secs of music left! Hence the rather undignified scramble at the end.

Btw one thing I will say  – those CK wedges are stupidly comfortable – despite them having a good 5 inch heel. So much so that when I was wearing them around the shop earlier that day I managed to shin up a 5 foot high step ladder to get some shoes from the top shelf of my stockroom without incident. NB Don’t try that at home kids ;o) So thank you Mr Calvin Klein for those ones – much appreciated. In fact appreciated so much that they now have a hallowed space in ShoesieQ’s private collection………….

Anyway, if my blow-by-blow account hasn’t completely put you off here’s a clip of our antics during the first half of the show. Part II to follow shortly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eESPA4JjLjs&feature=plcp

Modish catwalk II – this time we’re in Boots!

As promised here’s Modish’s contribution to the second half of the Fashion show on behalf of  Wallace Cancer care.

And I think it’s fair to say that whilst all of the models were still nervous, it was a helluva lot easier doing this the second time around!  Particularly as the whole crowd started to clap once they heard the music we’d chosen – namely the fabulous Nancy Sinatra’s ‘These boots are made for walkin’!

Special mention this time around for Karen’s clutch control and our cameraman Robin Stretton who did a sterling job at capturing us in our full, ahem, glory!

Finally if you can get to the shop before the end of October, Modish will make a donation of 10% of the purchase price off any of the shoe, boots and bags featured to Wallace Cancer Care. We’re at 15 George Street in Saffron Walden, just opposite the ABC Barbeque!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30WwrDf3ZiA

Naomi, Kate, Agyness, Cindy. Meet Karen, Hannah, Penny & Kathryn!

Yes, at long last, the post you’ve all been waiting for.  Modish’s first outing on the catwalk!

Earlier this month my shop, Modish, joined forces with many of the finest retailers in Saffron Walden to take part in a fashion show to raise money for Wallace Cancer care.

And whilst ShoesieQ likes to think of herself as a devil-may-care, give-it-a-go kinda girl, frankly the prospect of sashaying up and down a runway in from of a few hundred people (albeit the fine folks of Saffron Walden!) was about as appealing as a cold sick sandwich.

But as you’ll see it really wasn’t all that bad. Not that bad at all! In fact my models were absolutely superb.

1st came our veteran model Hannah. Veteran in the sense that she’s done this once before – as is evident by the fact she’s the only one confident enough to do a little twirl, mid strut, despite her centre of gravity not being in the same place a normal, what with her being 7 months pregnant!

2nd off the blocks was Karen.  Oooooo, the girl has attitude – check out the hand on hip moves. We like! Karen was swiftly followed by Penny, who seems to have been born for the catwalk. I can’t tell you how hard it is to be so natural – mainly cos, as you’ll see when you get to me, I have no idea how to do it!

4th up was Kathryn. My twitter model. By which I mean this woman was only here out of the goodness of her heart having read my desperate plea on twitter for models. Was she a customer of mine? No. Had we even met before. No! But here she is, elegant and poised and about a hundred miles out of her comfort zone! Which brings us nicely onto the fifth and final, ahem, ‘model’. Ie me.  All I can say in my defence is I was absolutely terrified. As for the bit where I seem to morph into a clapped out flamenco dancer (the skirt swishing) that was in response to an suggestion from some misguided member of the audience that I ‘work it’! Not that I blame them – who would have thought that such a simple request would, in my mind, be translated into ‘ok girl, hoik up that skirt n give it some.’!

So – you lucky people – click on the link (if you dare!), sit back and enjoy. But before you do I should warn you that episode 2 will be posted tomorrow.And this time we’re in boots!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaq6KNusu5A