Princess Chic has a new website

Princess CHic has a new website. View our blog, register for Chicmail, interact with other members and browse at gorgeous shoes all day long. Our blog posts will now be posted on our website www.princesschic.com.au

Platforms defy function!

Platform shoes could be the eighth architectural wonder. They are remarkable examples of design but, like most of the seven fabled monuments of the ancient world, surely these extravagant pillars of footwear cannot last.

However exhilarating the shoe's concept, those wearers who equate height with power must finally acknowledge the obvious: Platform defies function. At the recent Paris fashion shows, towering soles topped out at 18cm, with designers such as Christian Lacroix and John Galliano showing all manner of sparkles, tassels and lacings up ... WOW!

The Fake Debate

As a working princess, I know about the pressures to look good in an office. Women are more competitive and judgemental then men and notice things like chipped nail polish, last seasons shoes or a really bad hair day. (men wouldn’t notice unless it was wrapped in boobs). We also notice fakes. Fake handbag, fake watch, sunglasses, scarf… seriously what secretary can afford a real Hermes Birkin bag – they cant!

There has been much debate recently about ‘fakes’. Is it OK to buy fake shoes and handbags? What impact does it have for the people in the fashion industry? Is it OK to buy knock offs rather than fakes?

The question should then be asked, how far do we go in the ‘fake debate’? If you criticize someone for wearing a fake pair of Louboutins, do you also have the same criticism for their fake hair (colour or extensions), nails, chicken fillets – cant these all be classed as adding to the fakeness of presentation we may present. Aren’t these all just tools we use to may us feel better about ourselves. And if that is the case, then what is wrong with that?

We accept fake fur? We accept fake orgasms? (c’mon, we’ve all done it). We accept fake hair colour? We accept fake meat (tofu)? How is different that a designer knock off, or a handbag inspired by Balenciaga?

On one side, we have the designers and fans of the products who feel that fakes dilute the brand by allowing “common” folks the ability to carry the bag. The factories that make illegal fashion have sweat shops in foreign countries. They don't have to pay taxes, which means that our economy suffers, and their employees have no benefits or medical care. Why not just buy a good quality leather purse that might not be as expensive, rather than try and be something your not?

On the other side, we’ve got shoppers and wanna-be-wealthy people who want the perceived status of the bag without paying the price. And I wonder if these budget fashionista’s think about the implications of buying the faux bag, shoes, watch or scarf.

I ask how much revenue is derived from companies selling ads to these ‘fakers’ on popular websites. If you look at the paid links, they are literally everywhere. So how can they advertise if it is illegal to manufacturer and sell fakes? That opens a whole other can of worms….

Some people would never knowingly buy a fake brand however buy something that looks similiar, especially in shoes. Steve Madden made knock offs of the Dior gladiators that Carrie wore in Sex and the City – is that wrong? Or just good business? So it brings the debate in a new direction, would you buy brands that knock off the design only, not the name and the design?

I will leave it up to you princess, to decide for your yourself whether to fake it or not

Write your best shoe poem and WIN

Here are Princess Chic HQ we were inspired by the many reasons you sent us for being a shoe princess during our recent Survey. We loved reading the responses and thought that there seems to be some talented princesses out there so want to enlist your help.

We want you to contribute to the content on our website. As you know each shoe comes with its own unique story. We like our stories to be fun but empowering to women so put that imagination into top gear, straighten that tiara and get cracking on writing your very own Shoe Poem. The poem only needs to be 4-5 lines and be fun and empowering.

The best poems will be added to the site with your name and winners receive a Princess Chic Gift Voucher.

1st Prize: Poem displayed online with your name as author and $100 gift voucher
2nd prize: Poem displayed online with your name as author and $50 gift voucher
3rd Prize: Poem displayed online with your name as author and $25 gift voucher

Get writing princesses! We cant wait to read the fabulous entries.
Promotion ends on 15th November.

Manolo Blahnik Sample Sale: A Shoe Frenzy

Even during a recession, no one can resist at deal—that is if you're referring to Manolo Blahnik. Yes, the legendary shoe designer, who attained cult status with a starring role as Carrie Bradshaw's shoe of choice on "Sex and the City" has a twice-annual sample sale. This means, prices are way below what you'd find at retail—leather heels start at $100, for instance.

And considering their retail price of at least $575—$100 is a total deal. So of course, the lines were insane! Women started lining up at 6 a.m. Wednesday for the "private" sale but mobs of shoe-obsessed Manolo fans continued to linger in all morning, even after doors opened to the public at 11 a.m.

The scene? What one would expect—total mayhem, with everyone pouring over tables upon tables of high-heel sandals, pumps, boots and even some flats (yes, Manolo makes flats). Shoes were divided up on tables marked by size number—but soon the matching pairs were suddenly single with their mates scattered all over the place, on the floor, in the corner, on another table.

“Shoes,” is what lured fashion publicist Nicole Newsum to the sale, as she mulled over a pair of metallic leather heels. “I’ve never been to this before. But still, I want to make sure I love whatever I buy. I’ll probably spend between $200 and $300.” Nora Nikci, a shop manager for Catherine Malandrino at Saks Fifth Avenue, was trying to decide whether to spring for a pair of leopard-print embellished heels for $125, after spotting two pairs for her mom. “My friend told me about this and I’m a shoe fanatic.”

Imelda Marcos’ Shoe Collection Merits Own Song, Off-Broadway Musical

Not much rhymes with Ferragamo, but that hasn’t stopped the creators of “Imelda: A New Musical,” an Off Broadway show about the controversial former first lady of the Philippines.
The musical tells the story of Imelda Marcos partly through her footwear; her nearly 3,000 pairs of shoes made her a symbol of the excesses of the regime led by the late Philippine strongman Ferdinand Marcos. The show has just opened at the Julia Miles Theatre in New York.

Marcos starts out relatively humbly in the production, in nude peep-toe heels, but soon her fortunes improve and her closet goes Hollywood. While future Philippine President Corazon Aquino plods around in brown or black pumps, Ms. Marcos dons eight different pairs of shoes over the course of two acts. About 20 more pairs are used as props.

“She has blue beaded gaudy shoes, but there’s also a really glitzy sparkly silver number, and a gold strappy [pair],” says Ivy Chou, costume designer for the musical, which is produced by the Pan Asian Repertory Theatre. Shoes made up 40% of the $1,500-$2,000 costume budget for Marcos, she says. (Many of the shoes onstage were donated, came from vintage stores or weren’t well-known brands.)

Tisa Chang, artistic producing director of the Pan Asian Repertory, the show’s producer, donated some pairs from her own closet. “The lyrics mention sequined, snakeskin, Ferragamo — I had a few designers they mentioned,” she says. “If you buy a pair that matches a certain outfit you don’t want to throw it out. It becomes kind of an artifact.”

One of the show’s big numbers is called “3,000 Pairs of Shoes.” At the start of the musical, three women who play muses intone: “A shoe collection so unreal, a million drag queens gave a squeal.” Imelda acts mystified by the fuss over her wardrobe: “Why the thrills for my espadrilles?” she sings.

The theater company invited Marcos to see the show, and while they don’t expect to see the 80-year-old “Iron Butterfly” in the house, they’re hoping some of her relatives will show up.
The production attempts to portray a rounded picture of Marcos that goes beyond the corruption that marked the regime. “We really wanted to give a fuller view,” says Chang. “Sometimes time allows us to take another look at people.”

Read about the Towering World of Tamara Mellon and Jimmy Choo

Mellon began her career at Phyllis Walters Public Relations, Mirabella, and followed as accessories editor for British Vogue in 1990. Recognizing the potential for development of high-end designer accessories, Mellon approached bespoke shoe-maker Mr Jimmy Choo with the idea of launching a ready-to-wear shoe company. As founder of the Jimmy Choo Company, Tamara secured funding for the creation of her business, and sourced factories in Italy. In addition, she set up an office in Italy to handle production, quality control and shipping.

By 2001, Jimmy Choo had over 100 wholesale clients including Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Saks Fifth Avenue. The design collaboration between Tamara and creative director, Sandra Choi led to an immediate demand from other top stores. The Motcombe Street store was followed by stores in New York, Las Vegas and Beverly Hills. In April 2001, the expansion of Jimmy Choo took a step forward with the announcement of a new partnership with Equinox Luxury Holdings Ltd. This transaction enabled Jimmy Choo to achieve outstanding results, with the introduction of handbag and small leather goods collections.

In November 2004, with the company valued at £101 million, Hicks Muse announced the majority acquisition of Jimmy Choo — yet another significant move for the future development of the company.

Jimmy Choo shoes have been sung about by starlets such as Beyonce Knowles and the shoes are well-known as the shoes of choice for Hollywood red carpet events. Mellon has the worlds largest collection of Jimmy Choo’s to the value of $500,000.

From the first boutique opened in London’s Knightsbridge in 1996, Jimmy Choo now has a total of 39 stores including London, New York, Beverly Hills, Milan and Hong Kong and is distributed by select stores worldwide. The brand continues to have strong ambitions and plans to open a total of 50 stores worldwide by 2008. In 2007, Mellon made another appearance on the Sunday Times Rich List where she is ranked as the 751st richest person in the U.K with an estimated wealth of £99 million. She is also ranked as the 64th richest woman in Britain. Read the full story in the Towering World of Jimmy Choo. A great read about behind the scenes in the fashion industry.