It’s always a pleasure to stumble upon up-and-coming footwear designers while shoe shopping browsing online. Those who present a strong point-of-view in their work, unafraid to take a certain amount of risk, standout among the pack and one such person is London-based designer, Joanne Stoker.

Stoker has been involved in fashion for years; first in textiles, then as a graphic and architectural model maker, and a fashion illustrator. It’s only recently that she’s found her calling winning numerous footwear awards and starting her namesake label just last year.

Shoe specifications:

• Outer, raffia or brushed leather
  
• Colour, pink or yellow
  
• Heel height, 11 cm
  

Why I chose this shoe: bright colours for spring/summer – check. Open-toe heels to show-off my pedicure – check. Architectural designs to tickle my shoeaholic tendencies – check please!

The raffia and brushed leather pumps retain the classic open-toe style, but it’s the heels that really have my attention with its block design and multi-colours. These shoes remind me of the ones found in Balenciaga’s f/w2010 collection, but they balance out the need to be a little more subtle in its appearance.

Word on the street is that Stoker is one of London’s emerging designers to watch out for with her flare for sculptural heels and avant-garde vision.

Definitely one of my favourite footwear designers is Nicholas Kirkwood. I’ve always admired his ability to create shoes with interesting shapes and silhouettes that speak to the imagination and architectural side of design – it also helps that his stuff is stunning too!

His spring/summer 2012 collection is a visual delight with all sorts of styles that incorporate pearl detailing, lace, bows and rosettes. However, out of all of them, my absolute favourites are these printed stain pumps – please and thank you to the return of prints to fashion!

Shoe specifications:

• Outer, satin
• Colour, multi
• Heel height, 10 cm

Why I chose this shoe: I was struggling for a few days to express, in words, how much I L-O-V-E these printed pumps and still I find it a little difficult to rely my feelings; it’s very rare that a particular shoe style renders me speechless, this is probably the first time I’ve experienced this.

The collage of multi-coloured patterns placed onto these heels is unforgettable with its vibrant shades and use of images such as birds and flowers, utterly symbolic of spring and summer.

So far Bergdorf Goodman is the only retailer selling these heels online, but I’m sure other stores will have them in stock soon. The white and turquoise pumps are on my list of shoes to acquire for spring.

How would you describe these shoes? What about them do you like/love?

Images from Nicholas Kirkwood

The first day of spring is on March 20, 2012, which is two months away. I keep giving myself positive reinforcement by saying phrases like, “spring is just around the corner,” to get myself through a blue January especially with all the snow on the ground and today’s temperature falling to -10˚C (14˚F).

Another way I help to beat the January blues is to, of course, shoe shop online! Images of these gorgeous Mary Jane pumps by Stuart Weitzman landed in my inbox the other week and all I could think about was how good this shoe would look on my feet.

Shoe specifications:

• Outer, leather
• Colour, pink or mint green
• Heel height, N/A (but I’m guessing its between 7-12cm)

Why I chose this shoe: Stuart Weitzman’s version of the Mary Jane really threw me for a loop; this is not your grandmother’s shoe but one that is young, fun and fashionable! The design is a simple shape but with updated elements such as the use of pastel colours (a returning trend this season) and silver tipped toe; both elements present a lady-like heel with a hit of edge. This shoe costs $365 USD and will be available in February.

Images courtesy of Stuart Weitzman

My eyes, shopping habits and, of course, wallet are turning towards gathering clothing to build up my wardrobe in anticipation for spring 2012. Fun pieces and bright colours are usually what I gravitate to and these sandals by Vionnet fit the bill perfectly.

Shoe specifications:

• Outer, suede
• Colour, black with multi-coloured studs
• Heel height, N/A

Why I chose this shoe: two words popped into my head when I saw these sandals, “young and fun” which is what spring is all about; it’s a time of rebirth, newness and change.

The black suede underneath and the studs on top provides colourful contrast instantly livening one’s mood the moment you look at the sandals. Vionnet does a great job with developing footwear that remain true to its house’s founder, Madeleine Vionnet who said that "when a woman smiles, then her dress should smile too" – and why not her shoes as well.

Images from Net-a-Porter

As with my first blog post of the year, I struggled a little bit with picking out a shoe to feature as the first Shoe of the Moment pick for 2012. I wanted my choice to set the right tone, of exciting and news footwear designs to come; part of me wanted to showcase a heel from a designer’s spring/summer 2012 collection, but I’m not quite in the warm weather mood yet. Therefore, I decided to go with my gut and feature this stunning heel from Rupert Sanderson’s fall/winter 2011 collection.

Shoe specifications:

• Outer, leather
• Colour, plum
• Heel height, 11 cm

Why I chose this shoe: found on Far Fetch and on RupertSanderson.com, the deep plum colour and its metallic shine make this a luxurious yet versatile shoe. It’s the type of heel that can be worn during the day at the office and transition easily to an evening outing with a few tweaks to your attire. The black bow increases the shoe’s feminine feel and softens the look of its pointed heel design.

Images from Far Fetch

I was talking to a few friends recently and they were discussing about rushing to get their Christmas shopping done. The common theme that came up in conversation was that they bought more stuff for themselves than for the people on their list; “one present for you and two/three for me” was their saying. I guess it helps to even out the imbalance of shopping for other people rather than for you.

It’s a good thing I don’t buy shoes as presents for my family and friends for Christmas, because if I were to this black suede pump by Gianvito Rossi would be at the top of my list and then we’d all be broke.

Shoe specifications:

• Outer, suede
• Colour, black
• Heel height, 10.5 cm

Why I chose this shoe: discovered on Far Fetch, this pump has a reverse Cinderella feel to it. The plastic sides remind me of the fairytale glass slipper but the black suede adds weight, texture and edginess to the overall design. The pointed toe and high backing of the heel creates a more modern looks instilling a sense of sophistication and sexiness, something Disney never thought to give to the fabled character.

Images from Far Fetch

I’m in a winter haze right now; my fashion perspective is a little darker and when choosing outfits to wear to work I’ve defaulted to the much beloved colour of black (insert sarcasm here).

Months ago I made a promise to myself that I would endeavour to wear more colour; to break out of an old habit where I reverted to black, especially when the next few seasons of fashion are focused on using bright and bold colours.

Just a few days ago, I was jolted out of this haze when I came across these wedges by Jimmy Choo on Net-a-Porter and instantly knew they were the perfect shoe to feature today.

Shoe specifications:

• Outer, patent leather
• Colour, yellow
• Heel height, 11.5 cm

Why I chose this shoe: first off, the shade of yellow used for this wedge is electric and instantly made me think of the summertime. It’s such a vibrant and bold colour that I didn’t expect to come across it during this time of year, henceforth the shock I felt when I saw them online.

The simplicity of the design is also a feature that makes this shoe so eye catching; the extremely thin wedge heel and sloping cut of the sides adds an element of sexiness and sophistication.

Images from Net-a-Porter

If you didn’t already know that the best online shopping sites such as Far Fetch, Net-a-Porter and Saks Fifth Avenue are having a massive end of season sale, which includes footwear, then you need to start clicking that mouse away and commence “Operation Shop-A-Lot.”

It’s extremely difficult to resist the temptation of all the sales taking place right now and my most recent purchase are these lace-up patent leather pumps from Marc by Marc Jacobs’ fall/winter 2011 collection.

Shoe specifications:

• Outer, patent leather
• Colour, burgundy
• Heel height, 11.5 cm

Why I chose this shoe: the moment I saw this shoe on Net-a-Porter I had to have it. I’ve been looking for a pair of high heeled loafers for some time and these have all the design elements I was looking for; the rich burgundy colour paired with gold hardware gives a preppy luxe feel, while the lace up front adheres to the traditional loafer design. The stacked wooden heel is the perfect height adding just the right amount of feminine sexiness.

This shoe can be found on Net-a-Porter but sizing is limited; other online shops like Far Fetch and Shopbop carry them in stock. Now go forth my little grasshopper and shop!

How can anyone resist the beautiful footwear designs of Monsieur Christian Louboutin? Not me. His latest collection for spring/summer 2012 recently arrived on the famed designer’s online boutique and Canadians have the opportunity to preview the latest creations, as well as place advance orders in preparation for the next bout of warm weather... which will be three to four months from now.

After browsing through the website and its various collections, it’s hard to say which shoes are my favourite, but I can’t get my mind off of the reincarnation of the Daffodile 160mm pump.

Shoe specifications:

• Outer, Panama
• Colour, black
• Heel height, 16 cm with 6 cm platform

Why I chose this shoe: I first encountered the Daffodile style back in May when Louboutin produced it in a chartreuse colour. Seeing the evolution of this heel morph from a bright colour into something more artistic is evidence on how shoes can be reworked and updated to reflect a different mood. The black body with its white and yellow geometric print calls forth the memory of the art deco period in the 1920s.

Image courtesy of Christian Louboutin