On Our Radar: 16 Up & Coming Designers

We love stalking photos of Parisian and Milanese runways, but it just so happens that a lot of the brightest shining soles aren’t the ones name dropped during late night television, they’re crafted by names that are just starting their ascent into greatness.

Here’s a list of our favorite up & coming designers, burgeoning brands and impressive footwear designs that have caught our eye. Since we began compiling this list months ago, several designers are already that much closer to fashion stardom! Many have spotted their work in an upcoming September issue, graced the feet of Hollywood’s finest or even landed a coveted spot in the iconic Bergdorf Goodman window displays.

Sarah Flint
With internships at both Diane von Fürstenberg and Proenza Schouler under her belt, it isn’t surprising that the stunning shoes designed by Sarah Flint have a decidedly architectural bent. Adding a twist to classic designs, layered suede and shaped 3D leather are all a part of her impressive repertoire. As for us? We’re dying over her heeled Hayworth sandal.

Henri Lepore Dezert
You might remember Henri Lepore Dezert from our recent interview with the designer himself, but just in case you need reminding, he’s a man with his star on the rise. Unafraid of mixing antique embellishments and sentiments with ferociously confident modern day flair, his designs are classic, yet sensual; perfect for work and for play.

Melis Yildiz
Blending traditional themes with high fashion touches (think: PVC detailing on a classic suede pump or metallic and textured thick heeled sandals), the punchy colored soles designed by Melis Paciotti for her brand Melis Yildiz are nothing short of show stoppers. Turkish born and Italy-based, elegance is met with vibrant sass with fabulous results.

Alejandra G.
Alejandra G. has one goal in mind: make an impact and make it big. The larger than life combinations of cherry red and leopard print, platform pumps and tassels, and snake print and studs just scratch the surface of the gotta-look-twice collections designed by the ever-fierce Alejandra. Slipping into a pair of these celebrity-endorsed sky-high heels will definitely make you the center of attention.

Giannico
Nicolò Beretta is a luxury footwear wunderkind and his brand Giannico reveals this 18-year-old’s massive talent. Giannico’s collections take architectural embellishments and flair to an entirely new level, weaving 3D geometric shapes into dramatic curves and swerves that have been snapped for the pages of Vogue Italia and Marie Claire Italia. Endlessly creative and new to the game, we’re sold on Giannico’s eclectic elegance.

Surviving the Dog Days of Summer with Oscar Tiye

We may be heading into the homestretch of the dog days but our craving for all things summer – including cheery footwear, is still very much alive. Before we dive into fall styles (boots & boots galore) we want to share our favorite styles from Oscar Tiye’s Spring/Summer 2014 collection.

We’re huge fans of their bold designs and love supporting emerging brands who really bring something new to the shoe game. After being named “One to Watch” by WWD, designer Anima Muaddi went on to become a finalist for the 2014 Who is on Next? competition organized by Vogue Italia and AltaRoma.

You can shop this collection at FarFetch, LuisaViaRoma, Antonioli, Avenue32, The Queen and Passhion.

Check out these photos we snapped earlier this summer in West Hollywood:

Signatute Malikah winged ankle-strap sandal in radiant purple suede

Niyaf two-tone red & brown suede ankle-strap sandal; as seen on Zoe Saldana

Zoe sandal in mirrored rose gold leather with black tassel laces; as seen on Sarah Hyland

Rawan pointed-toe pump in sunshine yellow leather; as seen on Nina Dobrev

Jamila white snakeskin pumps with thin white leather straps and clear PVC toe insert

Shoes She Should Have Worn: Beyoncé

Beyoncé attended the 2014 Billboard Women in Music Luncheon wearing a merlot knotted draped dress by Haute Hippie with a thigh-high side slit. She paired it with Gucci horsebit-embellished Claudie ankle-strap sandals in brown leather. These chunky 70s’-inspired platforms don’t do anything for her outfit…and they feel out of place.

Shoes She Should Have Worn: Beyoncé

Gianvito Rossi Gianvito iridescent leather pumps
You can’t go wrong with this beautiful single-sole shoe. This silhouette elongates the leg and also works perfectly paired with her 5:31 Jerome coat.

Oscar Tiye Zoe cage sandals
Since it’s December and the event was held in NY, I’m not crazy about an open-toe shoe however this unique tassel-embellished sandal in the warm rose gold is a playful option. P.S. – I have these shoes baby blue, j’adore!!!

Daniele Michetti Sveva slingback pumps
This spicy yellow snakeskin is a perfect complement for her burgundy dress. They also feature a low-cut heel counter and black woven leather trim.

Bionda Castana Dekota pump
I love these femme fatale inspired shoes with sexy corset-style laces, geometric leather paneling and sheer mesh sides. Check out how they look on the foot.

Gianvito Rossi Carey strappy pumps
I can’t get enough of these beautiful Fall ’14 shoes in natural python with three thin buckled front straps.

Nicholas Kirkwood colorful pointed-toe pumps
Beyoncé’s previously worn many shoes by Kirkwood and these pointed-toe heels are my wildcard choice featuring multi-color Mexican-inspired needlepoint embroidery. I like this shade of pink & aqua paired with her dress.

Brian Atwood x Donald Robertson Lip Print Collaboration

After teaming up on a limited-edition book benefitting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society last year, the playful footwear designer and instafamous fashion illustrator Donald “Drawbertson” Robertson’s collaboration doesn’t stop there. They’ve also released several of Atwood’s signature styles featuring Donald’s iconic Pop Art lip print on white canvas from the latest Spring 2015 collection.

Miley Cyrus is a big fan of this quirky collab – we’ve spotted her wearing the Lallie mules and Karin sandals.

Here’s a look at the collection:
(our favorite styles are the Tie Me Up sandals and Gitte ankle-strap pumps)

Sterling chunky platform slingback sandal; available at Shoescribe

Alis pointed-toe pumps with piped black patent leather trim and 90mm heel; available at Net-A-Porter

Tie Me Up sandal with black patent leather laces and red suede covered slingback strap; available at Shoescribe

Lallie bombshell mule with a thick front strap and 90mm heel; available at Net-A-Porter

Trend Report: Chunky Heels Are Here to Stay

This season many footwear designers and brands, from Nicholas Kirkwood to Valentino, retired the celeb-favorite pin thin stiletto opting for the return of a chunky, block heel. This trendy shape is 70s infused with a hint of modern bohemian glamour that would make Bianca Jagger proud.

We pulled 10 fabulous examples of this trend now at retail…I guess the question is: will you be swapping your skinny summer-ready stilettos for this blocky silhouette?

Nicholas Kirkwood psychedelic printed satin platform sandals; available at Net-A-Porter

Givenchy lace-up d’Orsay black & white leather sandal; available at Saks Fifth Avenue

Proenza Schouler black leather fringe banded mule; available at Neiman Marcus

Pierre Hardy Monolite natural beige linen pointed-toe pumps; available at Forward

Valentino multi-colored Rockstud strappy sandals with gold-tone pyramid studs; available at Tessabit

J.W.Anderson blue suede lace-up bootie with a mother-of-pearl heel; available at Farfetch

Designer Crush of the Week: Paul Andrew

After a decade at Donna Karan as the VP of collection and refining his craft at Calvin Klein plus Alexander McQueen, among others, Paul Andrew burst onto the scene launching his namesake footwear line in 2013. Our love for his designs continue grow with the release of each new collection – we’re total fans.

The guy makes good shoes. His designs are incredibly versatile transitioning harmoniously from the red carpet (as seen on Lupita Nyong’o, Amy Adams and Elizabeth Banks) to the feet of our favorite personal style bloggers including Jane Aldridge and Bridget Helene.

The accessories virtuoso continues to garner attention winning the 2014 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund and collaborating on runway designs with Emilia Wickstead and Tanya Taylor.

Here’s a look at 15 of our favorite styles currently available:
You can also find 5 special, limited-edition Paul Andrew for J.Crew designs now on pre-order available beginning June 3.

Black leather lace-up sandal with gunmetal lace-guards; available for pre-order (in arrival by early August) atNeiman Marcus

Zenadia floral printed grosgrain with a lavender suede covered heel; available at LuisaViaRoma

Metropol sandal boot in soft blush suede & leather and snap button strap; available at Stylebop

Christian Louboutin Fall 2016 Collection

We couldn’t wait any longer! Before the holiday weekend officially begins, we had to share a peek of the beautiful new Christian Louboutin Fall 2015 collection!

Check out these just-released campaign images debuting seven styles – you can see more designs featured on the Christian Louboutin Facebook page.

Our review (including more styles!) will be posted shortly but here’s a look at the latest designs and new arrivals.

You can pre-order this collection at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Christian Louboutin.

Our current favorites include the Benedetta sandal, Fetish pump and Toerless Muse in red suede.

Araknene 120mm bootie in black leather with sheer fishnet panels; available at Christian Louboutin, similar style with a platform & peep-toe at Saks Fifth Avenue

Akenana mule in black leather with silver & gold chainlink trim and 100mm heel; available at Saks Fifth Avenue

Benedetta strappy t-strap sandal in black patent leather with a small platform and 120mm heel; spotted on onKate Beckinsale

Carapachoc colorblock suede bootie with small spike stud trim and 100mm heel

Celebrity Weekend Shoe Sightings with Footwear News

We’re excited to announce our new collaboration with FootwearNews.com! We’ll be publishing ‘Celebrity Weekend Shoe Sightings’ every Monday highlighting celeb-favored shoes that have caught our eye. FN is the ultimate destination  (for over 70 years!) bringing shoe lovers the latest in footwear industry business, trends and key influencers.

This week we spotted Rihanna wearing a two-tone sandal by one of her favorite designers (hint: Alaïa), Cara Delevingne rocking the popular Saint Laurent Jane sandals on the red carpet, Eva Longoria &Nicole Scherzinger showing us the importance of good summer staple shoe plus many more – read the post here.

New Arrivals: September Must-Haves

Check out our September must-haves! New from Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin, Tamara Mellon, Tom Ford & more:

TAMARA MELLON Gladiatrix embellished suede sandals; I love these small gold studs but now I actually prefer them in black suede (which I’ve only seen available at Saks Fifth Avenue).

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Casanovella fringe sandals – don’t they make you want to prance & sashay around? We’re crazy for the long front fringe panel which falls nicely on the front – you can also find them in a fun textured navy variation resembling denim.

IVY KIRZHNER Mount wedge sandal boots; Kirzhner has caught the attention of Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé…we love the long leather wrap and two-tone combination.

DSQUARED2 embellished black lace-up sandals – they have such a strong strappy footwear collection this season…we love all of them but especially this sexy shoe covered in gold hardware with a patent leather stitch design.

TAMARA MELLON Possession patent-leather pumps featuring a triple strap design and glossy black patent leather; this style is selling fast and also available at Stylebop

TOM FORD patchwork denim and leather sandals; they’re jaw-dropping! The thin leather wrap-around laces seal the deal.

Here's How To Wear The Boho Trend At Any Age

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Updated March 02, 2016.

Question: What is Boho?

Answer: Boho is short for bohemian, and typifies a style of dress inspired by the lifestyle of free spirits and hippies of the 1960s and 1970s, and even the pre-Raphaelite women of the late 19th century. Boho style is characterized by long flowing or tiered skirts and dresses, peasant blouses, ethnic touches like tunics or wood jewelry, embroidery or embellishment with beading, fringed handbags, and jeweled or embellished flat sandals (or flat ankle boots).

The look is often layered and colorful.

Today, boho (and the bobo lifestyle that first became popular in 2000) influences are most often worked into a look with other trends as well, rather than wearing the trend from head-to-toe. The style hit an all-time high in 2005, and was exemplified by Sienna Miller, Kate Moss and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Currently, these women are still spotted in slightly boho looks, but in a modern, typical-of-2016 mix with other influences like menswear, Americana and sleek minimalism. 

Ahead, browse the slideshow to see our favorite boho styles and get tips for wearing this trend yourself—at any age!

Why We Love The Personal Jewelry Trend

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Updated March 07, 2016.

It was inevitable, but the backlash following the hugely popular trend of statement jewelryhas officially taken root amongst the style set. Costume jewelry and cocktail rings have been replaced by thin gold chains and layered midi rings. Today's most popular jewelry is prized for it's subtle charm and unfussy appeal. The rise of dainty jewelry has been accompanied by a parallel rise in the quest for personal jewelry.

Personal jewelry is anything you wear that has a special meaning to you. It could be as straightforward as your name or your initials, but could also be a place that is special to you, or numbers that have significance in your life. This is the kind of jewelry you wear everyday, and it becomes your signature—a special, memorable but almost undetectable element of your personal style.

Personal jewelry is usually simple, a gold or silver chain, a metal cuff or a signet ring—usually with an engraved message or phrase. However, more and more jewelry brands are finding creative—even secretive—ways to wear a personal symbol or message.

Ahead, shop our ten favorite pieces of personal jewelry from brands like Lulu Frost, BaubleBar, Maps by A. JAFFE and Tiffany & Co.