Casadei 50th Anniversary-a half century of fabulosity

As Style exactly quoted: “Unless you’re a foot fetishist, it’s not often that you’re looking at spreads of nude models and can’t seem to peel your eyes away from their feet.” But indeed it is the case in this Ellen von Unwerth image featured in Casadei’s coffee-table book to commemorate the Italian footwear label’s 50th anniversary. This piece of art-book is full of beautiful and provocative nudes wearing amazing shoes. Cesare Casadei, the creative director explained: “Strapping them into jewel-encrusted wedges and knee-high gladiator boots with elaborate cutouts is certainly one way to do it”. Italian fashion house Casadei was founded 50 years ago by Quinto and Flora Casadei. Originally a small-town shop, Casadei became a famous brandbrand internationally recognized for its inventive approach to the feminine foot and its bejeweled souliers.

The couture collection has 11-piece, priced from $12,000 to $30,000, and isavailable by special order at Casadei boutiques in Milan, Paris, Florence, Moscow, Dubai, and more.

Good News Nine West Lovers !

According to The L.A Times, Nine West shoppers who donate old shoes can get a 15% discount !
Footwear retailer Nine West is encouraging customers to bring in their gently worn shoes in exchange for a 15% discount on a purchase of $75 or more.  192 Nine West stores across the country are participating to this great event ! But be quick because it ends on Sept. 24 ! The recycled shoes will be donated to nonprofit charity Soles4Shoes, which distribuates shoes to people in need. To donate or for more information, visit www.giveshoes.org. Discounts can be used in stores or online.

Payless ShoeSource Unveils Spring ’10 Designer Collections on the Runway at New York.

Payless ShoeSource is still making it possible for consumers to afford a runway style with the unveiling of its designer labels for spring at New York Fashion Week. Payless designer collections are among the most widely distributed designer footwear labels in America today. It will be available in stores in February with average prices under $40. alice + olivia is inspired by the Plastiscines, a French all-girl rock band. The band’s mix of indie rock and Parisian chic is evident in shoes, which evoke both a whimsical and sleek sensibility.  It includes silhouettes such as platform pumps, tall slouchy boot, gladiator-style flat sandal and platform heel. Fashion designer Christian Siriano, winner for Project Runway’s Season Four’s line is inspired by the notion of luxurious Mediterranean travel with rich colors like fuchsia, blue and orange are amped up to evoke the glorious coastal sunset taken in while yachting.

New exercise gloves for your feet !

The company Vibram has created a foot glove calles FiveFingers that gives the freedom of going barefoot with the protection of a thin sole. Originally created from a design perspective, FiveFingers is used to propote balance, agility, strength and used for yoga, pilates and water sports. In turn, natural body mechanics can improve posture, reduce back pain, and even prevent injury by avoiding the common heel strike. More info here.

How much can we love the UK !

Yesterday the Trade Unions of Britain turned its attention to the terrible threat to the workers that is posed by high heels. They demanded that women be allowed to wear sensible shoes in the workplace. They warned that Britain was tottering on the brink of a podiatric catastrophe and urged employers to carry out assessments of the risks of wearing Manolo Blahniks in the workplace. Lorraine Jones, of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists claimed, in flat shoes, that some women, including shopworkers and air stewardesses, were required to wear high heels as part of their professional dress code, addind that this requirements would never be tolerated for men. “This is not a trivial problem,” she said. “Two million working days are lost every year through lower limb and foot-related problems.” Two million working days equates to a £300 million contribution to the economy. Delegates approved a motion that read: “High heels may look glamorous on the Hollywood catwalks but are completely inappropriate for the day-to-day working environment.” Read more here.