We've seen gold shoes on track stars like the USA's Michael Johnson and most recently on Jamaica's Usain Bolt. Now Nike wants to pay a final tribute to the 2008 Summer Olympics with the new Air Force 1 'Closing Ceremonies' shoes. With the end of the Beijing Olympics coming Nike will offer these flashy sneaks releasing on August 25th and offering them in a special 080808 box. No sign yet as to the cost for these golden gallopers -- but they sure are snazzy.
To celebrate the 2008 Beijing Olympics, jeweler Roberto Coin has created a few unique pieces including a $31,000 golden sneaker. The sneaker is made of 24 karat gold varnished nappa leather which is then coated with a PVC lacquered film. It is finished off with an 18K yellow gold clasp and Coin's signature small ruby.
Coin has also created a gold boxing glove pendant for $620, an 18K white gold panda with diamonds and black sapphires for $1,580 and a diamond pave peace necklace for $520.
There are few things better in life than slipping your feet into a favorite pair of well-worn, comfortable, broken in shoes. It's such a luxury because it takes months and even years to get shoes into that broken-down customized state.
Or does it? Maison Martin Margiela has designed this Steel-toed Destroyed Boot that comes pre-broken in. And in a serious way too -- the leather is so distressed on the toe that the steel lining actually shows through.
I think they look awesome in pictures but I can't help feeling like buying something already destroyed like this is cheating -- isn't what makes a pair of worn boots so cool the stories behind how they got that way? $1,145
Architect Zaha Hadid has stretched herself before by designing something other than buildings (like this cutlery set) and she apparently liked the feeling because she's at it again, except now she's designing shoes. Hadid has partnered up with eco-friendly shoe company Melissa to produce this pair of crazy looking shoes in two different colors: red and black. Made primarily of plastic with sweeping lines and loops galore, these shoes are not particularly attractive (they look kinda like shredded up jelly sandals to me) but then lots of cutting edge fashion starts off being under-appreciated. Look for them to debut in September at the Dover Street Market in London for £200.
Red is an exciting and sexy color. There is no denying that fact. Whether it is a car, a pair of stilettos, or lipstick, the color red will instantly grab your attention and force you to look twice. I wonder if red's sexy factor could be heightened with python? Perhaps that was the hope when it came to Derek Lam's Astrid Python Wedges. However, I'm not sure if it worked or not. Made with vibrant red suede, it features gold buckle ankle straps and a python tube detailing wedge. Wedge height: 4". Original Price: $925. Price: $463.
Nineteen to-covet designers including Oscar de la Renta, Manolo Blahnik, Alberta Ferretti and Christian Louboutin are teaming up with Warner Brothers and Swarovski to reinvent Dorothy's ruby slippers to commemorate the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. This time, we're not in Kansas anymore. Based on some of the designer sketches we've seen, we're talking Swarovski-fied, ruby red protect-me-from-the-evil-witch stilettos. Basically what sweet little Anne Hathaway could have used in The Devil Wears Prada.
Each designer will craft a mere two pairs, and the shoes will make their debut September 4 during New York Fashion Week, posing in Saks Fifth Avenue's window before moving on to Miami's Art Basel and further appearances throughout 2009. The iconic slippers will then be auctioned off with proceeds going to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.
The fall line from John Lobb, bootmaker to British royalty since the 1860s and fashioner of what is arguably the world's finest men's footwear, isn't due to arrive in stores for another couple of weeks - but we have an exclusive preview for you. Lobb, founded in 1849, received its first Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales in 1863. Aside from sovereigns and heads of state, Lobbs have long been the favored footwear of fops including Cole Porter, Cecil Beaton, Hugh Grant and Daniel Day-Lewis.
Handmade from the finest quality full grain leathers, Lobb shoes "combine heritage, tradition and modernity" with distinction and elegance. The new ready-to-wear line features classic oxfords and monk straps, jodphur boots, riding boots (like the Hellesdon model in tan brown shire calf pictured here) and suede chukka boots, some available in a striking crimson red. Of course if money is no object, the company (which is now owned by Hermes) also offers bespoke services. See the gallery for more.
We at Luxist love Manolo and Jimmy and Stuart -- their shoes are to die for. And sometimes the pain from a beauty like this makes toes feel like dying too. Here's a solution: YogaToes. Basically YogaToes promises to give toes and feet a good stretch after they've been squashed in shoes all day and at the same time prevent icky and unattractive toe and bunion problems, something that's important at this time of year if feet are to be sandal-ready!
While I certainly wouldn't put this product in the luxury goods category, its seems like something every girl should have if she wants to keep wearing luxury shoes. But I do wonder if an inexpensive set of toes spacers, like used during a pedicure, would have a similar effect ... YogaToes come in small and medium, and in eight colors. $49.95; two pairs: $39.95 each; three pairs: $33 each.
La Tennis Bensimon, the iconic French sneaker that was a favorite of John F. Kennedy and super-cool musician Serge Gainsbourg, is finally arriving in the U.S. for fall. The classic tennis shoes, rendered in cotton canvas, leather and suede, have long been a favorite of stylish fellows who tracked them down in Europe and Japan. Designer Serge Bensimon, whose grandfather began the business by importing American Army surplus clothing following World War II, says that "For me, creation is a sensitive and eclectic dialogue between art, literature and travel." The men's collection, which will now be available at Bloomingdale's, is "classic and simple yet luxurious, reflecting the essence of Parisian style." Canvas Sneakers have been given the Men.Style.com seal of approval for summer. We're partial to the navy canvas version pictured above. See the gallery for more examples.
Our friends at Aisledash recently did a post on some of the world's most expensive shoes but they didn't mention the pair I actually got to see last week. At the Le Vian party in Las Vegas one of the displays included these $2 million shoes from Stuart Weitzman. The silver leather heels feature over 185 carats of tanzanite and 28 carats of diamonds. The front strap features a slim strap of diamonds but the heavy gemstones are designed to curve around the ankle with a 16 carat pear-shaped tanzanite drop surrounded by diamonds that dangles down over the top of the foot. The shoes were behind glass so I didn't get to examine them up close but the stones do seem to be mounted directly onto the leather rather than being immediately removable.
While researching something for Luxist, I came across Styledrops, a fashion site for men, women and children that sells upscale Italian designer goods. For women, select from shoes, handbags, clothing and accessories. Same for men, minus the handbags. Kids get shoes and clothing. The site boasts "the best price you have ever seen on the Internet!"
A sampling of brands: Prada, Gucci, Fendi, Tod's, Hogan, Dior, Fratelli Rossetti, Ferragamo, Cesare Paciotti, Alexander McQueen, John Galliano and Frankie Morello. Check here for the whole list for women, men and kids. Choose by type of item, designer or price.
I haven't purchased from the site so I can't vouch for service or quality, but the site itself is easy to navigate and has some very high-end items.
Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, and Christian Louboutin - these are just a few of the legendary design houses that are able to make a woman's feet the sexist part of the body. You may just want to add British shoe designer Nicholas Kirkwood to that list. Kirkwood's artistic ability to create sculptures of art has enabled him to work with the likes of Phillip Lim and Belstaff for their Spring 2008 Collection. And although he has collaborated with many, his own collection is nothing to shy away from. Kirkwood's collection combines a sense of fashion forward edginess with a sexy majestic quality. Featured here are his silver metallic lizard slingbacks accented with a mirrored butterfly wing detail, open toe, and 3 1/2" heels. Price: $545.
Gallery: Shoe Designer Extraordinaire: Nicholas Kirkwood
The name of a product is an important indicator in predicting it's success, take the cleverly named Gucci HysteriaPurse that lived up to its title quite nicely by causing shopping madness. I'm crazy about the new Extreme CutoutSandals by Christian Dior. However after staring at them for awhile I've realized I don't actually like them, per se, then it hit me, I 've been duped by some marketing gurus into thinking I like them based on their awesome name ( I'm a sucker for all things "extreme"). Oh well! These extreme-ly high (almost 5 inches) and equally sexy sandals kick off the summer shoe shopping season with a bang. Available in silver or black Nappa leather, they feature and open peep toe and trendy stud detailing. Available for $780 at Neimans!
Classic English shoe brand Church's was founded in 1873, but its roots date back to the late 1600s when a Northampton cobbler named Church first set up shop. The traditional shoemaker is known for its elegant footwear, which has been the choice of well-dressed British gentlemen for over 130 years. In 1999 Church's was acquired by the Prada group, and while some traditionalists bemoaned the end of an era, little of the company's core values have changed. Its high-end models, which have names like the Consul, the Diplomat, the Chetwynd and the Gunthorpe, are still handmade in Northampton and cost in the neighborhood of £300 pounds, or about $600.
Prada has certainly set about modernizing the brand however, which is known for durable style. The company recently redesigned Church's historic shop in London's Burlington Arcade, Britain's first shopping arcade, which was built by Lord George Cavendish in 1819 and houses some of the world's finest boutiques. The revamped shop incorporates some modern design elements while retaining the important historical fixtures. In addition to shoes, the store also stocks neckties, gentlemen's accessories and leathergoods. Part of Prada's plan to boost the brand's presence internationally, new Church's shops were also recently opened in Venice and Bologna.
Summer is fast upon us and you are going to need a new pair of casual shoes. For men the options keep getting more and more interesting. I love the look of the SeaVees, a shoe that takes the comfort of a sneaker and adds a bit of classic flair. The sneakers were inspired by California cool in the 1960s and each style is named after a month and year during that era. The model shown is the the 01/68 shoe. It has a perforated suede leather upper with pull-up leather accents and a contrasting toe bumper.The lining is calfskin. They sell for $165. Here's hoping they put out a line for women soon.
There are few things better in life than slipping your feet into a favorite pair of well-worn, comfortable, broken in shoes. It's such a luxury because it takes months and even years to get shoes into that broken-down customized state. 
Red is an exciting and sexy color. There is no denying that fact. Whether it is a car, a pair of stilettos, or lipstick, the color red will instantly grab your attention and force you to look twice. I wonder if red's sexy factor could be heightened with python? Perhaps that was the hope when it came to Derek Lam's Astrid Python Wedges. However, I'm not sure if it worked or not. Made with vibrant red suede, it features gold buckle ankle straps and a python tube detailing wedge. Wedge height: 4". Original Price: $925. Price: $463.
The fall line from John Lobb, bootmaker to British royalty since the 1860s and fashioner of what is arguably the world's finest men's footwear, isn't due to arrive in stores for another couple of weeks - but we have an exclusive preview for you. Lobb, founded in 1849, received its first Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales in 1863. Aside from sovereigns and heads of state, Lobbs have long been the favored footwear of fops including Cole Porter, Cecil Beaton, Hugh Grant and Daniel Day-Lewis. 
While researching something for Luxist, I came across Styledrops, a fashion site for men, women and children that sells upscale Italian designer goods. For women, select from shoes, handbags, clothing and accessories. Same for men, minus the handbags. Kids get shoes and clothing. The site boasts "the best price you have ever seen on the Internet!"
Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, and Christian Louboutin - these are just a few of the legendary design houses that are able to make a woman's feet the sexist part of the body. You may just want to add British shoe designer Nicholas Kirkwood to that list. Kirkwood's artistic ability to create sculptures of art has enabled him to work with the likes of Phillip Lim and Belstaff for their Spring 2008 Collection. And although he has collaborated with many, his own collection is nothing to shy away from. Kirkwood's collection combines a sense of fashion forward edginess with a sexy majestic quality. Featured here are his silver metallic lizard slingbacks accented with a mirrored butterfly wing detail, open toe, and 3 1/2" heels. Price: $545. 
The name of a product is an important indicator in predicting it's success, take the cleverly named Gucci Hysteria Purse that lived up to its title quite nicely by causing shopping madness. I'm crazy about the new Extreme Cutout Sandals by Christian Dior. However after staring at them for awhile I've realized I don't actually like them, per se, then it hit me, I 've been duped by some marketing gurus into thinking I like them based on their awesome name ( I'm a sucker for all things "extreme"). Oh well! These extreme-ly high (almost 5 inches) and equally sexy sandals kick off the summer shoe shopping season with a bang. Available in silver or black Nappa leather, they feature and open peep toe and trendy stud detailing. Available for $780 at Neimans!
