Jimmy Choo

Jimmy Choo with ShoesieQ

A Shoefie (or should that be Choofie?!)

As you may know ShoesieQ likes to consider herself as something of an aspiring Shoe Siren. Well last night it would appear that her calls were answered, and then some, as she was lucky enough to be invited to attend an audience with Shoe Royalty, namely the extremely wonderful Professor Jimmy Choo at Jesus College, Cambridge.

Even better, Jimmy was being interviewed by a good friend, the equally wonderful Nicky Shepard, founder of Cambridge Style Week.

Nicky Shepard interviewing Professor Choo

In case you’re wondering what the great man had to say for himself, amongst many other facts Nicky managed to glean from Prof Choo were……

• The first shoes her ever made were for his mum (Awww!).
• Prof Choo’s view on success is if you have a name and make your parents, college and country proud it doesn’t really matter if you makes much money (Awww again!).
• Looking at new developments in the Shoeniverse, Prof Choo explained that 3-d printing is already used in China to manufacture some of the component parts of footwear, but humans still put the final product together. Although this will doubtless change, Prof C is old fashioned and will always want many parts of the shoe making process to be by human rather than computer. He also mentioned a machine has been invented that can accurately can scan feet – but he would personally still want to fit shoes by hand.
• His favourite pair were the last ones he made for Princess Diana. Sadly she died before could give them to her,so still has them to this day.
• His favourite designer is Giorgio Armani! Prof Choo rates him so highly as they share the same ethos, are both down to earth, his designs are simple, classic and very stylish, plus Mr A provides a lot of employment  for his native country Italy
• As you might imagine Jimmy has many pairs of shoes – not least because he’s often given them as gifts. However he passes most on to his friends after couple of months! But in his view everyone needs at least 4 or 5 pairs min as feet sweat, and shoes need to air. Which is also why he recommends you should always go for leather lined shoes as they breathe and mould to the foot better!

 

And in  case you’re wondering ShoesieQ managed to ask a question too! She had been warned that there would be a Q&A session at the end, so asked around for a killer question. There were loads of brilliant suggestions, but the one ShoesieQ plumped for was the brainchild of Alice Toby-Brant (aka Cambridge blogger The Middle Sister), namely:

“Would you design a truly decadent high heel specifically for a man and if so, which man would it be?”

This got a good laugh from the audience, not to mention Jimmy, which was an excellent start (thanks Alice!). His reply was that some men already wear his heels, especially in places like Hong Kong – but it’s almost always in the evening, say at a bar or nightclub. But he added that they needed to practice to wear stilettos – though tbh most of the audience knew that already………. 😉

 

FYI and last, but certainly not least: if this has whetted your appetite, Jimmy Choo has an exhibition on in town, Gems of the Silk Road. The show opened on February 2nd at new Cambridge International Art gallery on Jesus Lane and runs for a month.

 

New shoes (and boots!) for Autumn

Well, as ShoesieQ writes, it seems that the summer is still hanging on. Which bearing in mind that its now pretty much the end of September (!) means just one thing: Strictly Come Dancing is back! Plus, perhaps more pertinently (at least as far as this blog is concerned) it’s time to think about buying some new shoes or, even better, BOOTS!

So, on the off chance that you, dear shoelover, are wondering what you need to look out for in the shops this season, here’s ShoesieQ’s Top 5 trends for AW16:

 

 1) Toes are having a bit of what fashionistas like to term a “moment” – so you’ll continue to see a few pointy shoes and boots, such as these gorgeous suede courts by Hogl and K&S. But if you look hard you may also spot there’s also a sub-trend of  squared off toes, particularly on biker boots.

2) Chelsea boots. Yes we know, not exactly high fashion, but as always oh so useful, so definitely worth a mention. As you can see from these fin examples by Fly London and Vagabond, this season’s Chelseas they’re a bit more grungy, with a platform and or a bit of a heel rather than the ladylike version we saw so much of last year.

 

3) Loafers and Lace Ups. These fab shoes by Vagabond, Tamaris and Lilimill respectively are proof, if proof were needed, that Androgeny rules!And as you can see from these pics the most fashionable Oxfords, brogues and lace ups are on a bit of a platform. Which leads us nicely on to……

4) Platforms. Elegant wedges have all but disappeared to be replaced by the resurgence of the Platforms of all depths and sizes, from barely there to full-on 1970s in your face (though there are still plenty of wedge platforms about too – phew!). FYI these utterly gorgeous boots are by Fly London

and then last, but very much NOT least…………

 

5) Pewter. This is the main trend you’ll see everywhere! Hip Hip Hooray – pewter is very much a Modish favourite! Mainly because it incorporate two things we love more than anything – a bit of subtle shiny-shiny, along with the chameleon-like ability to go with just about any colour under the sun. What’s not to love! NB It’s only fair ro warn you that the Black and Pewter boots above by Fly London are selling like hotcakes, so if you fancy a pair you’ll need to get your skates on!

So, ladies and gentlemen, the great news about Autumn 2016, at least in terms of what we’ll be wearing on our feet, is that there’s something for pretty much everyone. And as doubtless this lovely warm weather will be buggering off shortly, ShoesieQ suggests that you head off and treat yourself to a lovely new pair of shoes or boots ASAP!

Cambridge Style Week 2016 has arrived!

ShoesieQ won’t blather on too much today, doubtless to the relief of many 😉 But she did just want to quickly mention that the rather wonderful Cambridge Style Week is upon us once more. And her shop Modish was delighted to be invited to pair up with our Green Street neighbours OSKA. We hit the catwalk last night and here’s how it went!

PS If you’re quick and at a loose end tonight it looks like there may be one or two tickets left. Here’s the link you need if you fancy going: cambridgestyleweek.com/events

#CSWStyle

 

 

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!