Earlier this month Dr. Martens and Liberty London partnered to create the “Liberty London for Dr. Martens Floral Prints” collection. The collaboration brings together two well-known British institutions; the first, a footwear company known for its quality shoes and presence in youth sub-culture, and the latter is a retailer whose identity is entrenched in emporium tradition and skill at crafting beautiful printed fabrics.

The partnership between these companies plays on their contrasting qualities, Dr. Martens’ rebellious nature and Liberty London’s refinement, connection to nature and tradition – the end result is footwear that is sturdy yet with a fanciful and fun feel.

The shoes are hand-painted and grouped into two romantic print sets such as “‘Strawberry Thief,’ originally created by the world famous textile designer William Morris in 1883” and the “‘Martens Flower’, a modern take on the Carlino design originally created by the Silver Studio for Liberty in 1930.”

The Liberty London for Dr. Marterns collection is sold exclusively at Liberty of London’s store in the U.K. and will be available in Canada beginning June 1st at Dr. Martens retail stores. 

When H&M announced its latest design collaboration with Italian fashion house, Marni for fall/winter 2012 I wasn’t overly excited at first. Design collaborations between big retailers and high end fashion houses are common place nowadays and it only becomes a matter of time for the next big name brand to create an accessible capsule collection for the masses.

Well... I soon changed my mind when the lookbook for the collection was released and also after I attended the exclusive preview of the line hosted by the H&M Canada team.

Marni for H&M lookbook

Off-the-rack the clothes take a bit of time to digest visually because of the strong statement it makes. The collection is bold, whimsical and quirky with its big and colourful prints designed in a range of cuts; loose dresses, tops, and jackets that give-off a sporty feel which transition when worn from day to night. When styled, primed and photographed the collection really presents well online and in-person.

What really hit the Marni for H&M collection out of the park for me are the accessories. O-M-G if you saw the statement necklaces, bracelets and collars in real life your eyes would zero in like a hawk and swoop down to snatch up one of these babies in a split second.

The footwear is not bad; the metallic sandals and pumps provide neutral enough pieces to suit those who are less inclined to wear head-to-toe a geometric prints. Though with such a playful collection I imagined that the shoes would retain the energetic feel of the collection with even more bold prints and colours as seen on the clothes.

Marni for H&M will be available online and in stores on March 8, 2012.

Images courtesy of H&M

Over the past year Dr. Martens has been transforming the way it presents itself and its footwear. The brand is still entrenched in its history as a purveyor of traditional British footwear but the movement towards a more youthful, diverse and fashion conscious outlook is attracting commercial appeal. There’s more colour, texture and designs in its offering that carry over into various seasons, not just fall and winter.

Dr. Martens recently held a party in its quaint store on Queen Street West to show off its latest designs for spring/summer 2012 titled, FIRST LOVE. To no surprise it was a packed event as local notables shuffled in and out of the space. I on the other hand arrived early to take a quick tour before the crowd enveloped scene and the shoes within.

Dr. Martens spring/summer 2012 collection

Dr. Marten’s new offerings for spring/summer 2012 include several new designs which really standout. One of the newest designs for the season is monochromatic boots and shoes; an all white and burgundy pair of 8-eye boots, as well as a pair of 3-eye shoes in bright pink. Adding to this new mix are more florals, images of an English rose and country garden can be found on several 8-eye boots in canvas.

More subtle designs changes can also be found in this collection; the thick rubber soles which have become Dr. Martens’ trademark are thinner on several selections, such as on a pair of yellow ballet flats, denim ankle-boots and loafers.

Remember these Iris van Herpen shoes I posted about in August with the chains all over it? No? Well, if you forgot about those heels then you most definitely will not forget about the shoes that the Dutch designer and United Nude have cooked up for van Herpen’s spring/summer 2012 collection. Let’s just say this shit these shoes are bananas... B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

Ladies and gentlemen I present the Fang shoes; it has 10 sharp teeth attached to each foot and is fashioned into a wedge-like design. The technical description of the Fang shoes go into a little more detail on how they were made; “the shape of the wedge is so complex that each one consists of fibreglass and carbon fibre, made in a slow moulding process.”

When images of the Fang shoes landed in my inbox my eyes bulged in shock and thought these would make the perfect heels for a vampire, think Twilight.

I just can’t image how the models in van Herpen’s spring/summer 2012 show managed to walk, not fall, down the runway while in these extreme heels but hats off to them for mastering it.

There’s been no word if the Fang shoes will be available for purchase as a limited edition United Nude collection, but who knows... someone with a daring sense of fashion is sure to buy and wear them.

Iris van Herpen spring/summer 2012 

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.

I love writing about designer's collections shown in the fashion capital of Paris, Milan, New York and up-and-coming London, but it is the couture shows which consistently take my breath away with its creativity, storytelling and out-of-this-world clothes.

Couture is a fashion fairytale come to life and it’s difficult to pick just one designer collection I adore; therefore, I’ve chosen four eye-catching collections and highlighted the shoes which accompanied these garments down the runway.

P.S.: I want all the shoes, especially the ones in Jean Paul Gaultier’s show – to die for!

Armani Privé

Christian Dior

Giambattista Valli

Jean Paul Gaultier

Images from Vogue Italia

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

I’m not going to hide the fact that I’m absolutely dying (in a good fashionable way) over OBJECT’s spring/summer 2012 collection. I’ve professed my loved over this clothing and accessory line in several blog entries in the past and really can’t get enough of George Antonopoulos’ designs.

OBJECT’s latest lookbook images appeared online just last week, this is his second season partnering with DANIER, and I’m counting down the days for when the blue leather pants and suede pieces are available in March... just one month and six days to go.

Now, I’ve seen and reviewed a lot of designer collections, both in Canada and overseas, since starting this blog and there are a dozen or so designers who really speak to my aesthetic and style, Antonopoulos is one of them.

There’s a connection you feel deep inside when you see your favourite designers’ clothing on the runway and in a lookbook; the excitement and anticipation bubbles, and if you can afford the pieces you make a mad dash to the nearest store which sells it. There’s no use in fighting the pull you feel and the urge to splurge when it comes to your favourite designer, resistance is futile. So I might as well hand over my credit card to Antonopoulos and DANIER now, you think I can also send them the bill?