my 1st saying 1st in all of the blogs.

i like RED.

Posted by: ker | July 4, 2006 10:46 PM

What is so special about this "Beyond skin" shoes?
I've seen some nice Dolce&Gabbana-like shoes (reminds me of this spring/summer collection), and some of the styles are sincerely just boring.
Is it the fact that they are "ethic" and/or "vegan"?

In every case, neither "ethic" or "vegan" justifies the price tag. That seems ethic only to the ones that produce the shoes.
If you really want to have some nice shoes, and have money to spend, there are so many designers around. And as to the charities - you can always do that by yourself without the excuse of a pair of shoes.

Seriosly: I am curious to know why do you find this brand so special!
Looking forward to some opinions.

Posted by: Sandra | July 5, 2006 8:24 AM

oops, I forgot. As for the ethic "hand-made" thing, I have my own doubts.
Even if it was so, the price is still just too high.

Posted by: Sandra | July 5, 2006 8:28 AM

Sandra I'm interested to know what makes you think any other designer is better than Beyond Skin? You said if people had the money to spend on these, they should go to a designer. Why? I would hazard a guess that, quality of shoe and service wise, there'd be absolutely no difference apart from the ethical stance of this company.

I think essentially what this brand are aiming to do is be an alternative designer shoe brand; a vegan, cruelty-free one. The high price reflects the target market they're aiming for, and the fact the shoes are handmade (though if you chose not to believe that claim it's up to you!)

Posted by: Ms Shoewawa | July 5, 2006 10:16 AM

Really nice shoes, I understand your admiration, but your post sounds like you're trying to get a free pair from Beyond Skin.

Posted by: Marthe | July 5, 2006 1:01 PM

Ha ha! And there was me thinking it was Rachel's way of saying she needed a pay rise! If you think it sounds like she's after free shoes, you probably think that's true of the whole site. Since we've averaged about 1 free pair of shoes a year so far, our cunning plan of being nice about shoes we like isn't going too well. Ah well!

Posted by: Ms Shoewawa | July 5, 2006 1:51 PM

Schuh have an almost identical pair of red shoes (the ones next to the blog)for alot cheaper.

Posted by: kelly barker | July 5, 2006 7:08 PM

schuh have an almost identical pair of red shoes for a quarter of the price tag.

Posted by: kelly barker | July 5, 2006 7:10 PM

I just can't buy this whole "ethic" thing, when the market they aim for is the rich one. That simply is not so ethic, it's another operation that has as only goal to make money on some good principles.
Cruelty free but not to your wallet :)

And yes, I think that the designer shoes are high quality, at least the Made in Italy ones. I personally wear a lot of Dolce&Gabbana; each pair I have is perfect even after lots of evenings dancing in it.
So, if I have to spend some serious money for shoes, I certainly go for Choo, D&G, Blahnik and similar. At least the styles are not out-of-date as the ones I saw on the site of our vegan friends.

Posted by: Sandra | July 5, 2006 8:44 PM

super cute shoes, but way too expensive for them

Posted by: Princess Sarah | July 5, 2006 11:21 PM

Those brands are silly not to give you more free shoes because I'm sure some people will buy the shoes after you've featured them. (I know I would if my boss gave me a payrise ;-) ) So it's free advertising for them!

Posted by: Marthe | July 7, 2006 7:13 PM

Oh, I just put my foot in mouth, I'm afraid.
Now it sounds like you're bribable and that was the least I meant. I totally believe your site is independent because you're not afraid to show ugly shoes and you're honest about prices versus quality.
So, keep up the good work and don't mind me.

Posted by: Marthe | July 7, 2006 7:22 PM

I love them. I think they're absolutely gorgeous and I'm not even really sure why. I figured $175 wasn't too bad and I got my hopes up a bit (I live in Canada) until I realized that we're talking pounds and not dollars...well, hopefully on my way to work tomorrow I will find a few hundred dollars lying on the pavement.

The ethical thing is a major bonus, and I obviously have to reserve my judgment on the quality of the 'Holly' compared to, say, a D&G shoe, because I have never owned a pair. I urge Sandra to buy the shoes, compare the quality and then send them my way.

Posted by: Rachel | August 18, 2006 10:55 PM