It’s been a very long time since I’ve selected a flat shoe to feature in Shoe of the Moment, partly because so often I get lost in a dream-like state when I see a pair of heels that everything seems to pale in comparison.

Ever since the temperature dived into single digits I’ve started to wear a lot of flats, practical and comfortable, but I’m not talking about your mother’s flat shoes – oh no! Designs used to create more interesting and eye-catching flat shoes have been rearing it heads in stores and onto the pages of magazines; therefore, for this week’s blog entry I’ve chosen a casual yet funky shoe from Canadian footwear retailer, ALDO.

Shoe specifications:

• Outer, synthetic
• Colours, black and white
• Heel height, 1.27 cm

Why I chose this shoe: the Buscher, from ALDO, is a good example of how a flat shoe can look youthful, arty and fun, yet remain versatile so it can seamlessly fit into one’s wardrobe. Two neutral colours, black splatter on a white background goes with anything. The pattern design also adds visual interest and directs the eye downward when worn. The synthetic material on the outer, which looks like faux calf hair, introduces texture and another element of interest to the overall design – definitely not your mother’s shoe.

A flurry of tweets passed through the Canadian fashion Twitterverse last week surrounding the latest footwear collaboration between retailer, ALDO and Flare magazine, the nation’s fashion authority.

Admittedly, I didn’t jump on the news as quickly as the rest of my counterparts and it was only when I received the May issue of Flare and read Lisa Tant’s editor’s letter did I take notice.

In the letter, Tant talks about the frustration she feels when unable to find that one (or two) “perfect item,” to fit in flawlessly with her wardrobe, and the feeling which arises because of this – the need to start designing for herself.

I can definitely relate to this frustration on many levels; most recently, I was on a massive hunt to find a pair of shoes to go with a bridesmaid dress I’ll be wearing in May. I looked high and low, online, in-store and in my closet. Being on a tight timeline the pressure to find something quick was a bit harrowing, but I eventually found a pair just yesterday.

To me, the Flare x ALDO sandal represents all of those times you wish you had a design team in your back pocket to whip out and create the perfect shoe in moments of fashion frustration and desperation.

Shoe specifications:

• Outer, N/A
• Colour, black with snakeskin
• Heel height, 10.5 cm

Why I chose this shoe: this sandal has a lot of design elements incorporated; it’s on trend with the snakeskin wedge, adding texture to the shoe, and the bright orange insole that injects character.

For the conservative shoe buyer, the braided black strap stabilizes all of these trendy components adding a timeless factor – this is the type of shoe someone will wear countless times and carry over into multiple seasons. The Flare X ALDO shoe is reasonably priced at $135.

For more information about this shoe and where you can purchase it on April 27, visit aldoshoes.com/flare.

Image from ALDO

The runway shows of Greta Constantine and Ezra Constantine have a rock star quality about them, partly because the design duo of Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong create an aura of modernism surrounding their clothes, as well as secure strong corporate backing from companies such as ALDO, Audi Downtown and Schwarzkopf Professional.

The show was held in the Audi dealership downtown. The music blared, Audi cars sparkled as you walked throughout the dealership and the vitaminwater flowed freely at the bar to wet everyone’s whistle for the main attraction.

Design inspiration: as per the show notes

• Greta Constantine – the “fall/winter 2011 Greta Constantine collection shapes the uniform for the modern tribe... (for a woman) her wardrobe is a global dialogue, not a battleground between old world and new or east and west. In that way, she is the bridge between past and future.” I’m slightly confused by this description but okay.
• Ezra Constantine – the men’s collection “is designed for today’s urban nomad; a man whose wardrobe fuses elements of both day and night, casual and formal. The collection juxtaposes the duo’s identifiable drapery with the masculinity of structured jackets...”

Greta Constantine fall/winter 2011 collection

What I liked: the outerwear and layered separates really shone for Greta Constantine this season. When comparing their spring/summer and fall/winter lines, hands down fall/winter receives a resounding seal of approval. The duo dug deeper this season showing a larger range in their design abilities by churning out multiple wool capes, kimono style jackets, velvet pants in jewel tones and a four-tiered voluminous beige skirt.

For Ezra, deconstructed minimalism is how I describe the collection. The draping in the men’s collection shows maturity, used sparingly and strategically in the outwear.

Ezra Constantine fall/winter 2011 collection

What I disliked: again, nothing bad to say about both collections; however, I am still stumped on the excerpt used to describe the design inspiration behind the Greta collection.

Footwear: by far the shoes at the Greta show were thee most interesting, unique and eye-catching throughout the entire fashion weeks. ALDO partnered with the label to create a collection of footwear exclusively for the fall/winter 2011 runway show. “The collection of four styles boasts rich, Orient-inspired fabrics and completes the designers’ vision of the modern tribe from head to toe.” In other words, I give this collaboration a resounding two stiletto shoes up.

Image galleries #1 and #2 courtesy of Greta Constantine and Erza Constantine.

In a previous entry I mentioned Canadian designer, Denis Gagnon presented his S/S 2010 collection complete with his models outfitted in custom made Aldo do-it-yourself (DIY) shoes (in collaboration with stylist YSO) during Montreal Fashion Week. Therefore, I thought this would be a great opportunity to highlight this inventive shoe for today’s blog post.

Shoe specifications:

• Any shoe purchased from an Aldo store
• Accessories for decoration: buttons, bows, chains, old necklaces, studs, etc.
• Imagination and creativity

Why I chose this shoe: three simple words describe my reasons for choosing this shoe and that is unique, creative and ingenious. The Aldo DIY shoe encourages customers to think outside the box and to personalize footwear to reflect their own personal style. Maybe instead of buying a new pair of shoes you can spice up your old footwear with a few affordable accessories. Dress it up. Make it funky. You have the freedom of choice and expression.

Aldo provides several examples of how to get creative with your shoes here and also hosted a contest for the best DIY shoes which will be judged by a panel of fashion industry experts. The winner will have the opportunity to design a piece for the company’s fall 2010 line. Selected creations will be posted on the Aldo website in early November 2009 and the public will have the chance to vote for their favourite DIY shoe. The shoe that receives the most votes wins.

Good luck to the contestants!

Pictures from Fashionmagazine.com

Lions and tigers and seals, oh my! Seals you say? What does that have to do with LG Fashion Week? Last night, at the Holt Renfrew Media Cocktail and at the opening festivities of Fashion Week two PETA protestors stood outside each venue handing out pamphlets. One was outfitted in a seal costume, happily waving and posing for pictures – very few (including me) took their efforts seriously to upstage the evening.

5:30 p.m. Holt Renfrew Media Cocktail

Despite the seal, last night was full of fun, laughter and Canadian style. Holt Renfrew and the Fashion Design Council of Canada (FDCC) flexed its powerful fashion muscle by gathering together designers, media, fashion bloggers and sponsors in Holt’s Bloor Street store for its annual media cocktail party.

Speeches by Barbara Atkin, vice president and fashion director for Holt Renfrew, and Robin Kay, president of the FDCC kicked off the evening, followed by a mini fashion show featuring seven of Canada’s top design houses. They are: Greta Constantine, Denis Gagnon, Lida Baday, Jeremy Laing, Mikhael Kale, Pink Tartan and Smythe.

Dubbed the new “Group of Seven” by Kay, these very talented designers showcased capsules of their spring/summer 2010 (S/S 2010) collections. My heart skipped a beat as my eyes saw their expertly designed garments. The cut, colour and style of each collection presented made me swell with pride – this is Canadian talent and fashion that should be celebrated 365 days of the year, around the globe and in every store in the country.

Two collections I was drawn to were Denis Gagnon and Greta Constantine. The design duo of Greta Constantine (Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong) presented four pieces from their S/S 2010 collection. My favourite was a white dress with a sharply cut deep v-front.

As for Denis Gagnon, well I think he and I need to become best friends. This was the first time I had the opportunity to see his clothing in real life, and it blew me away. Seeing only four pieces of his latest collection showed his talent for detail, and expert handling of cloth such as jersey, leather and zippers. A standout piece from Gagnon’s line was a leather jacket with zipper detailing along the cuffs, neckline and hem. Edgy and genius! Take note of Gagnon’s custom-designed Aldo shoes which received a lot of attention during his presentation at Montreal Fashion Week (see Fashionmagazine.com for more information).

Personal highlights of the evening was having the pleasure of finally meeting two of Canada’s top fashion bloggers, Anita Clarke of I Want I Got and Danielle Meder of Final Fashion, as well as reconnecting with an old friend from university, Monica Mei who is the designer of Aime; I’m so proud of her accomplishments and I will definitely be attending her show this Thursday.

9:00 p.m. On the runway... at LG Fashion Week (1030 King Street West)

Now over to LG Fashion Week’s new home in Liberty Village where Lucian Matis was announced the winner of the FDCC Designer Development Fund followed by two fashion shows, 100 years of Beauty by L’Oreal Paris and the Stratford Shakespeare Festival “Wear Love Alive.”

The first show, 100 years of Beauty by L’Oréal Paris, opened with an opera singer and then chronicled fashion trends and beauty throughout the ages. It was quite beautiful and artfully presented showcasing garments on the runway from each decade starting from the year 1900 and ending at 2010.

Stratford Shakespeare Festival “Wear Love Alive” presented a runway show full of drama, elegance and sophistication. The costumes from the Stratford Shakespeare Festival utilized a variety of cloth including feathers, fur and lace that added a feeling of sumptuousness to the garments. Topping off the end of the show was a group of male models strutting down the runway. Be still my beating heart!

Now I’m onto day two of LG Fashion Week, stay tuned.

Photos taken by Kimberly Lyn.

In preparation for tonight’s visit to the Bata Shoe Museum’s ‘Til 10 event I did what any respectable shopaholic would do and went to the mall yesterday to find something to wear. I purchased a pair of earrings from Aldo named Merfeld. I love the pearl beads and shape, chic with lots of character (see picture one).

While in line at the cash register I turned my head and saw a pair of shoes that just blew my mind (see picture two), but I resisted making an impulse purchase and left the store before I got myself into trouble. However, when I woke up this morning I caved, went back and bought the shoes – the last pair of size sevens in the store! 

The shoes are named Mickolick (got to love the product names Aldo picks), are composed of blue suede on the exterior with a leather insole. The stiletto heel measures 12.5 cm with a hidden toe platform of 3 cm.

Not sure if I’ll wear my new shoes tonight because I have to break them in first, but for the love of fashion I just might give in.

N.B.: unfortunately Aldo.com doesn’t have the earrings or shoes for purchase online yet, your best bet is to go to your nearest store and pick them up there. Good luck!

(Warning: objects are bigger than they appear)