THE POWER OF ACCESSORIES

This blogpost is slightly different to one of my regulars, and it's basically because I will tomorrow be attending the Bloggers Love event at the Penthouse club in London. The event is a press event for the lovely Rosina Savage boutique (http://www.rosinasavageboutique.com), a bespoke shoe company which uses Swarovski crystals to create one-of-a-kind footwear. 

For now, however, the challenge of writing about a company as opposed to just writing about runway did make me slightly nervous but, the more I thought about it, the more relevant it became. For example, the Tabi shoes and matching socks from Prada's Spring/Summer 2013 collection became the most-photographed item of the entire season in terms of editorial, and who could possibly discuss Alexander McQueen's 'Atlantis' collection without mention of the iconic 'Armadillo' shoes? The idea of a bespoke shoe company got me thinking about the impact that accessories can have on an outfit, therefore this blogpost is dedicated to some of the most innovative footwear of the last few years.

Prada S/S 2013 Footwear

A recent example was Miuccia Prada's futuristic take on the Oriental trend - the collection itself encapsulated the Eastern feel of the S/S 2013 collections but raised itself a step above its contemporaries by putting an avant-garde twist on the trend. The collection itself was inspired by Japan - from flower motifs to origami-inspired silhouettes, the choice of traditional references paired with synthetic techno materials led to the show being one of the most-praised of the season. 

Prada metallic gold 'Tabi' socks - S/S 2013

The accessories were the real icing on the cake - the shoes pictured above are Miuccia's take on the Japanese 'geta' shoes, a cross between a clog and a flip-flop. The shoes are traditionally worn with 'tabi' (split-toed socks) which Prada also created in thick metallic gold and silver material to critical acclaim. The combination of the shoes and socks became the most photographed of the season and were the true embodiment of the collection's concept, so much so that they got their own advertising campaign, proving that accessories can boost a collection's success from moderate to stratospheric. 

The most iconic shoe in recent years - 'Armadillo' shoe, McQueen S/S 2010

The designer that has arguably been the most successful in creating a shoe with its own legacy is the inimitable Alexander McQueen. Perhaps the most divisive footwear in fashion history, the 10-inch Armadillo heels came in several variations and encased the models' feet entirely - the shoes themselves were so difficult to walk in that several models refused to walk in the show because of the shows, and there is even a story that claimed McQueen said "if they can't walk in the heels, they can't walk". The risk paid off; despite many people claiming that they were grotesque and unwearable, the shoes were soon seen on the feet of celebrities from Lady Gaga to Daphne Guinness and have since been recognised as a true example of McQueen at his best. 

Dolce & Gabbana F/W 2013

The final example of truly incredible footwear comes courtesy of Italian design duo Dolce & Gabbana whose F/W 2013 collection was a mouthwatering display of extravagance from start to finish. The pair are renowned for their classically Italian opulence, yet this collection took their signature aesthetic a step further, and this progression was best represented in a series of staggeringly intricate footwear. One particular pair depicted tiny petals creeping their way around a golden cage, whilst another featured dazzling gold crystals and ruby-coloured sequins embellished in the style of a mosaic onto a block heel. The attention to detail didn't go unnoticed, with several bloggers and magazines devoted full-page spreads to the footwear alone. The collection represents the way in which new technology has helped to make accessories even more detailed and intricate than ever before - shoes are no longer just an accessory, they can be a work of art in their own right.