These fur-lined shoes from Celine’s Fall 2010 collection remind us of Swiss modern surrealist artist Meret Oppenheim‘s most famous fur-lined teacups.  Except that these are function fashion pieces that, from the looks of it, will be sure to keep your feet warm in winter even if it seems to some a tad indulgent to walk in fur!

photo source: Moma.org

How much?

• Fur inside open toe ankle boot natural: (please check store for details)
• Fur inside open toe mule: HK$6100
• Suede goatskin and rabbit fur sandal: HK$6600

Where to buy?

• Celine boutique at G40, The Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road, Central, Hong Kong
• Tel:2525 1281

The saying goes: “Shoes make the outfit”. Well, these Alaia shoes are so amazing that one could be wearing a paper sack and they would still make the outfit! Classic black pumps are given a twist with a stacked front heel that looks like a 5-inch stiletto and, of course, a crown of lush feathers. These shoes are so over the top fabulous…just how we like it!

How Much?

• Alaia feather pumps- HK$12,600

Where to Buy?

• Lane Crawford IFC Mall Podium 3, ifc mall, 8 Finance Street, Central. Tel: 2118 3388

Want to show off your legs? We suggest walking into a party with a pair of shoes from the Christian Louboutin Fall 2010 collection.  There are lots of stand-out pieces that are show stopping material. Aggressive studs and sparkles remains the driving theme in this collection.

It seems that the focus for Christian Louboutin this season is in the details. The Fifi shoe takes inspiration from an erupting volcano, with brilliant and almost violent looking colors exploding all over the shoe. The Pigalili is a sugar and spice kind of shoe, with sparkling clear crystals and silver stud-like appliques. Our favourite is the Catchise, which is a delightful lace peep-toe bootie in delicate pink with patent leather outlines.

How Much?

• Christian Louboutin Catchise- HK$ 7,900
• Christian Louboutin Fifi- HK$ 24,000
• Christian Louboutin Pigalili- HK$ 26,000

Where to Buy?

• Shop G317, Gateway Arcarde, Harbor City, Tsimshatsui. Tel: 2118 6502
• On Pedder, New World Tower, Central, Hong Kong. Tel: 2118 3489

As shoe lovers, we know a lot about Nine West but what about the man behind the famous label? Fred Allard is Nine West’s Creative Director and his whole life is about shoes. He has more than 25 years of experience in fashion and design and recently won the “Influencer of the Year” title at the ACE AWARD 2009, so we can trust him when he tells us there is no such thing as the ultimate shoe, it’s what we like and what looks good on us.

Butterboom sat down with Fred who was in Hong Kong recently for an insight into the man behind the brand.

Butterboom: Why do you design footwear – what is it about shoes to you that make your life’s work?

Fred Allard: I started in fashion but my dad worked with shoes and I spent a year working in a shoe factory with workers in China and I learnt so much about footwear. I gained so much respect for the shoe-making process and now as Creative Director I get to take a pen and a piece of paper and design shoes! When you learn the actual technical aspects, your eyes open up to a completely new world of shoes and it’s absolutely satisfying.

Butterboom: You have chosen the more traditional path of designing for an existing label as opposed to starting your own line. Why is that?

Fred Allard: I previously worked with big shoe houses around the world and it was time for me to work with a younger, hipper shoe house with a keen eye on trendy shoes as that’s what my experience opened me up to do. Nine West chose me to direct their next step forward.

Butterboom: You’ve increased shoe sales tremendously since you started at Nine West, how do you know what women want to wear each season?

Fred Allard: It’s all about the vision – having your eyes and ears open all the time is key. Associating fashion and shoes is very emotional, you should be able to smell it. Being able to combine this in a very creative, fresh way is what I do and it’s working very well! I just make sure not to kill it by overdoing it.

Butterboom: Where does your inspiration for footwear come from?

Fred Allard: From everything – movies, exhibitions, an everyday object, architecture, children, plates, textures, vintage shoes and bags and even something as simple as movement can be very inspiring.

Butterboom: Tell us your personal favorite three pairs of shoes from Fall 2010 collection that no woman should be without.

Fred Allard: Platform pump with a square toe and a big metal lock (known as the confident pump) – it is undoubtedly a great statement shoe, the lace-up and fur footwear are the other two big hits that I love!

Butterboom: Which celebrity do you think has great taste in shoes? Is there anyone you would like to personally design shoes for or collaborate with?

Fred Allard: Marion Cotillard has fantastic taste and she personally picks out her shoes for a big red carpet event. Scarlett Johansson and Lady Gaga are two other very fascinating women I would love to work with.

Butterboom: Who is the Nine West woman in your eyes?

Fred Allard: She is every woman in the world – the working class woman who knows what she wants, 25 – 45 years old, sexy, loves going out and is very fashion conscious.

Butterboom: What are you obsessed about when you are not thinking about or designing shoes?

Fred Allard: Home décor, architecture, paintings and music.

Butterboom: What shoe design are you working on right now?

Fred Allard: Spring 2011 which involves straw and basket weaves, 1950s vintage classics, wood bottoms and natural, rich textures.

Butterboom: What is your personal style on the shoes you wear?

Fred Allard: I love Pierre Hardy sneakers and the best part is that my job allows me to wear them!

- Interview conducted by Monisha Daryanani

A warm weather staple with casual charm and sexy heights to make all of us happy, the new wedge espadrilles are sure to turn heads. This season, they get a lot more attention as designers have upgraded the summer staple with metallic gold textured leather, gorgeous mesh, bright patent leathers and soft nude shades complete with details like buckles, chains and trimmings.

Check out our top picks of the best-looking wedge espadrilles from Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, Chloe, Givenchy, Kate Spade, Tory Burch and Nine West in store this summer!

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Hong Kong shoe lovers are in for a treat with another Louboutin store in the city. The new Christian Louboutin boutique is located in Harbour City and is the one of four stand-alone stores in the entire Asia Pacific region.

Like the first Christian Louboutin store on On Lan Street, the new Harbour City store is designed by New York-based architecture firm, 212 Box. This new boutique receives the same treatment of Louboutin stores internationally, with individual touches from Christian like the Brazilian wooden tiles, Syrian chandeliers and delicate Syrian wall treatment.

As expected, the new store will carry Christian Louboutin’s full Fall Winter 2010 handbag and shoe collections.

Where?

• Christian Louboutin , Shop G317, Gateway Arcarde, Harbor City, Tsimshatsui. Tel: 2118 6502

Ana R, Fred Allard and Amanda S

Nine West’s Creative Director Fred Allard was recently in town to present the Fall/Winter Collection at the Sky Lounge, The Upper House in Admiralty.  Hong Kong was Nine West’s 3rd stop of the World Tour after New York and London which ended with a final stop in Shanghai.

Celebrity guests like Race Wong, Miki Yeung, Monie Tung, Jacqueline Chong, Rabeea Yeung, Jaime Fong, Zoey Shum and Taiwan model, Larisa attended the preview and met with the popular Creative Director.

Amanda S and Ana R modeled the collection and we got a sneak peak at what’s coming up for fall 2010. There were lots of long knee high boots in suede, leather featuring details like lace, buckles and fur trimming in the Fall/Winter collection.  We spotted a lot of luxurious looking pieces and quite a few gorgeous bags we can’t wait to get our hands on!

Ana R in Nine West Fall/Winter 2010 ready-to-wear and footwear collection

Fred’s top trends for Fall/Winter 2010:

• Vintage inspired lace details against velvet and suede pumps and boots
• Rock n’ roll details like studs, sequins, bold buckles on knee high boots and ankle boots
• Military inspired patterns for the utility off the beaten track look
• Leopard prints will still be hot
• Laced up oxford ankle boots
• Decorative pleats in jeweled shade in satin, soft suede and pearlized leather
• Statement metallics with beading for a jeweled look

Fred’s personal favourite picks from the Fall 2010 collection:

“Platform pump with a square toe and a big metal lock (known as the confident pump), it is undoubtedly a great statement shoe, the lace-up and fur footwear are the other two big hits that I love!’ – Fred Allard.

Nine West Fall/Winter 2010 collection

The new PEDDER RED X JOHANNA HO collection introduces the new hip trend this summer – cute platforms laced with cool detailing and bursts of yellow laces with fun frills.

A little about the designer – Johanna attended Diocesan Girls School in Hong Kong and graduated from London Central Saint Martins with an Undergraduate and a Masters Degree in 1997. Soon after, Johanna launched her own label in Hong Kong and has since been busy creating her style of hip girly cool clothes ever since. Butterboom caught up with the busy designer for a little Q&A.

Butterboom: Tell us how this collaboration came about?

Johanna Ho: I’m a shoe addict and have my own line of shoes for JOHANNA HO. Lane Crawford was one of my very first clients – I got to know them well and when Pedder Group saw my latest Spring / Summer 2010 collection, they fell in love with the styles and invited me to do a collaboration with them.

Butterboom: What was the inspiration for this collection?

Johanna Ho: There isn’t a central theme to this collection – I tend to design with my feelings at the time and what inspires me in the moment. I’ve always been inspired by people and have always believed it’s the wearer who gives life and character to clothes and accessories. For this project, I was inspired by friends back at my boarding school days in England! It was like designing shoes for my friends and imagining who would fit into each shoe I’m designing.

Butterboom: Describe your style.

Johanna Ho: Feminine, cool and slightly girly but with an edge.

Butterboom: What is the latest 2010 shoe trend according to you?

Johanna Ho: Comfort with height! Hence wedges, platforms – those that give you lots of height and elongation but you can still walk, dance, and carry your babies.

Butterboom: Who are some of the celebrities or socialites you’ve designed for?

Johanna Ho: I’ve been responsible for singer and actress Karen Mok’s entire concert wardrobe since the first day she started. Now, I’m working with the singer and actor Eason Chan on his upcoming concert, DUO.

Butterboom: Would you say there is a typical Johanna Ho customer?

Johanna Ho: I hope not…my dream is to have all kinds of customers who will wear and appreciate my work. I don’t like to put any boundaries on my style. It should be up to my wearer and how they like to wear it, style or mix and match pieces to create their own style.

Butterboom: What is your design philosophy?

Johanna Ho: When I design, I tend not to think too much about fame and celebrity profiles, I’d rather focus on the design and creating a beautiful product that will bring love and joy to the client. I think working with Pedder Red has given me the opportunity to create shoes that are more value for money but are still funky and fashionable. People can still have fun, look great and not necessarily break the bank each time they buy a pair of shoes!

As a shoe lover myself, I design shoes I would wear so they’re beautiful pieces of sculpture that have to be comfortable at the same time!

- By Monisha Daryanani

Where to buy?

• Pedder Red, 64-66 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong. Tel: 2118 3712

Popular New York show label Nine West’s global tour which kicked off on April 28 in New York with stops in London,  is right on schedule for a stop over in Hong Kong. Plans have already been made for Mr. Fred Allard to present the Fall/Autumn 2010 collection at The Upper House on May 18.

We can’t wait to meet the man who has design shoes that are always fashionable, affordable and adored by so many women around the world.

You can follow Fred Allard’s live updates via Twitter (@NineWest_Fred)  Facebook and Foursquare throughout the tour which will end in Shanghai on May 20.

Go nude this Spring and we don’t mean literally, we are talking about adding these shameless eye-catching footwear as they do wonders to lengthen your legs. From Stuart Weitzman’s “Blingy” flats to Fendi’s Plexiglas rose tinted platform sandals, these exquisite shades of nude and clear plastcis are extremely stylish in an understated sort of way.

The latest python and leather pair by Nicholas Kirkwood is one of our favourite this season, it has an element of surprise and playfulness to it.

Match these shoes with tailored pieces, bold accessories and matt lipstick for a very fashionable look this spring.

Our top picks:

1. Nicholas Kirkwood’s exotic femme fatale shoe, $8,800. Where to buy? Exclusively at On Pedder, New World Tower, Central, Hong Kong. Tel: 2118 3498

2. Fendi’s khaki coloured Lycra, “Cinderella” collection sandals, HK$9,800. Where to buy? G17-18, The Landmark, Central, Hong Kong. Tel: 2524 1339

3. Stuart Weitzman’s  “Blingy” jelly rhinestone flat shoe, HK$1,900. Where to buy? Gateway Arcade, Shop G208, Ground Floor, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. Tel: 2118 2317

4. Christian Louboutin‘s nappa lamb leather Romaine Gladiator sandals goes well with a sleek black dress, HK$10,800. Where to buy? On Pedder, New World Tower, Central, Hong Kong. Tel: 2118 3489

5. Christian Louboutin “Tahiti”, ivory and black pumps, HK$8,900. Where to buy? Available exclusively at Christian Louboutin, 7 On Lan Street, Central. Tel: 2118 0016