Holly Dunlap was inspired by Manolo Blahnik and worked for Christian Lacroix and Vivienne Westwood before launching her own range, Hollywould. With a pedigree like that, you’d expect her to bring us some amazing shoes. She doesn’t disappoint, and though the colourful range might not be to everyone’s taste (we‘re noticing a penchant for snakeskin), we were hooked at the mere mention of the magic words ‘matching bags’. We also love the handcuff detail on these tartan flats (the 'Scottish Tartan Famke'). The range is available in the UK at Harrods (though sadly, not on their website).
How does Carrie Bradshaw afford mountains of Manolo’s when all she does is write one measly newspaper column? Those of us who don’t have the magic of television on our side can at least console ourselves with some pretty pictures of the shoes we’ll never afford. ‘Manolo Blahnik Drawings’ is the kind of coffee table book your girlie mates will adore and your boyfriend will use as a coaster. It also has the added extra of an introduction by Anna ‘editor of US Vogue’ Wintour. Put it on your Christmas list and spend 2005 weeping over the fact you still can’t afford the real thing.
Admit it, we all loved the trend for Japanese-inspired shoes last Summer. But though the obsessive queues in Topshop for wrinky yellow airtex may have died down now, there's still one label that's most definitely doing it's thang where cute, pixie-like shoes are concerned. Step forward Irregular Choice, who are now offering everything from the music printed pumps on your right, to crazy silver cowboy boots and our current faves, the 'pink bitches' flats. The good news for bargain hunters is that if you can't stand the £45-£100 price tag at Schuh, the designer discount shop TK Maxx have got loads of last season's equally quirky range for around £25 a pair.
When Amy Winehouse wrote her song 'F*** me pumps' about seriously sexy shoes, we reckon she was thinking along the lines of these killer leopard print heels. But the question is, fellow shoe hounds, which of the above are the designer dream shoes, and which are the reality check? Well, the ones on the left are the £360 Christian Louboutin’s (the Pigalle pumps, from Net-a-Porter, to be precise) and the ones on the right are from the Freemans catalogue, a tenth of the price at £35. Not quite so glam, but they will allow you to follow this season's key shoe trend whilst keeping your bank manager off your back.
Top of our Ebay watchlists today are these beautiful brand new silver Gina sandals. It's just a shame that they're too small for me (they're size 5). They're slightly more affordable than Manolo's (most of which are going for £200+ by the second day of auction) but they're still designer and they're still gorgeous. If you'd rather fight your way to a cheaper deal than the £125 'Buy it now' price, they're currently £100 on auction.
Bid on them (and see more photos) here.
If you like the idea of vintage shoes, but don’t like the idea of wearing someone else’s cast-offs (after all, they must have thrown them away for a reason…) don’t despair, the fab Office Vintage range may be your saviour. These shoes are new, but they look old (a bit like a good pair of jeans). From 30s inspired dancing shoes to brocade designs that hark back to far earlier, you’re bound to find something that catches your eye, like these Velma Bar Shoes in wine and bronze for £60. You can even buy online.
Bridget Jones might not have the poise to carry off a pair of indecently high gold Jimmy Choo sandals, but Renee Zellweger definitely did at the London premiere for the second Bridget film, ‘The Edge of Reason’ (out now, if you haven’t already booked your tickets). Her outfit was as talked-about as the film itself, and why not with shoes like that? If your budget doesn’t stretch to designer, you can pick up a gorgeous pair of gold sandals like Renee’s just about anywhere at the moment, including New Look (we’re not joking) for a bargain £25, or these Lacrame sandals from Faith which you can buy online for £55.
Holly Dunlap was inspired by Manolo Blahnik and worked for Christian Lacroix and Vivienne Westwood before launching her own range, Hollywould. With a pedigree like that, you’d expect her to bring us some amazing shoes. She doesn’t disappoint, and though the colourful range might not be to everyone’s taste (we‘re noticing a penchant for snakeskin), we were hooked at the mere mention of the magic words ‘matching bags’. We also love the handcuff detail on these tartan flats (the 'Scottish Tartan Famke'). The range is available in the UK at Harrods (though sadly, not on their website).
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