Birthday Kicks

After many months of non-stop sample-making (and re-making) for the new collections in the factory, I've finally found a minute to do some work of my own. Unfortunately, this project was a bit rushed so I didn't get time to take process pictures, but here are my birthday shoes! (The woman who stitched them said it took her an hour just to put in the laces...and it takes almost as long for me to get them on and off...lesson learned for the next pair...)

I've been working on a pattern for a pair of pumps...but as usual I'm a little off on the seasons seeing as I've been needing a pair of pumps all Autumn/Winter and now that it's warming up I finally get to work on them! Check back for pictures in the coming weeks...

Finishing Up

Finished lasting and attaching the heel...

...now to add the rhinestones...

Mounted and Ready

The uppers are lasted and ready for a heel...I just need to find one! It's been difficult finding a heel because it has to be not only the right height and silhouette, but also the inclination at the top must match with the inclination of the last/insole. I'm going today to a tacchificio (heel factory) to try and find a good match. I have only a few days left and I still need to hand-stitch on the rhinestone trim...it's crunch time!

The Real Deal

Hello all - Once again I've been very behind on my posts...but only because I've been very busy with another project: the bridal shoes!

I found all the materials...

...and I got started cutting out the final shoe.

Back...At Long Last

I'm finally back! I spent three weeks of vacation at home and the past three weeks getting settled back into the swing of things in Italy and at work, and despite my best intentions, I managed to write nothing! But that doesn't mean I haven't been working on new things. The wedding-shoe-making has officially begun...

* * * * *

The lasts - I covered the external half of one of the lasts with masking tape and then drew the design straight onto the tape.

Then I took off the tape and pressed it down flat onto a piece of paper, corrected the curves, and created the internal lines (lasts, and feet for that matter, are not symmetrical and there are certain adjustments that need to be made the "external" line to make it fit correctly on the "internal" side). This base is called the camicia.

The final camicia - external lines in black, internal lines in red. This base is used to make the pattern pieces.

All the pattern pieces to make the shoe: including the upper (tomaia), lining (fodera), and reinforcements (rinforzi).

Gluing together the pieces cut out in leather

The finished upper (glued for the test run, but it will be stitched for the final shoe)

The lasted sample with the lining yet to be trimmed away

Chiusa per Ferie

Sorry for the long delay in writing. I finished up my last few days of work last week (140+ samples finished...or nearly finished!) and am officially chiusa per ferie (closed for the holidays). I'm back home in the states and hope to be sharing with you all some updates on the shoe scene here in the US, new American designers, and much more. In the meantime, take a look at my latest dream shoes...

www.net-a-porter.com

Is there anything better than Alaïa?

Sweet Dreams

* swoon *

ysl.com

Fantasy Photos (and Shoes)

A friend tipped me off to this site...Take a look at these amazing photos by Khuong Nguyen for Mr. L's advertising campaign - fabulous shoes and even more fabulous photos...

http://www.kyongnguyen.com/

(click on commissions and then Louboutin Winter Tales)

"Made in Italy"

If you haven't already, take a look at this article from the New York Times: "Is Italy Too Italian?" It discusses the economic situation in the textile industry, but it's pretty much the same for the footwear industry, except that, in my opinion, quality has been compromised and the integrity of the "Made In Italy" label is fading.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/01/business/global/01italy.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Wrapping Things Up and Just Getting Started...

Today is August 1st, which in Italy means the start of August vacations. For the entire month of August, most of Italy is chiuso per ferie -meaning that almost everyone closes up and heads to the beach. I, unfortunately, have to work the first week of August because of the 100+ samples that need to be finished before the holiday in order to deliver all the shoes in time for fashion week runway shows - we've been making lots of 39s, 40s, and 41s! So my postings, as I'm sure you've noticed, have been infrequent in the past weeks because of the work overload. This week will surely be no different and I try to wrap up everything I'm working on and get ready to head home (where hopefully I'll have lots to share about the shoe scene stateside). In the meantime, I'd like to introduce you all to a new project I'm working on...

One of my closest friends, Jenna, is getting married in October, and I'll be designing and making her shoes for the big day (and time willing, perhaps even a pair for myself). (As a side note, Matt, if you're reading this...STOP! You can't see the shoes until the wedding!) I can't give any specifics on the dress, but let's just say that some dramatic shoes are in order. I've just started sketching this week and wanted to share with you all my initial ideas. Over the next months leading up to the wedding, I'll be posting pictures and drawings and material swatches to document the whole process from sketch to finished shoe. I'd love to hear your feedback!