Ugly Shoes - are you guilty?

Source: New York Magazine

While catching up on the ever growing pile of The New York Magazine and New Yorker waiting patiently by my bed, I saw this very clever history of ugly shoes. So how many of these are you guilty of - or still guilty of?

*Clearly* I'm far too young for the Klompen Dansko and Earth Shoes, but my misdemeanor start at the Doc Martens - or the pretend ones I had. While going through my goth/hippy stage at about age 14 I longed for the real deal to match with my op-shop (charity shop for the non-Aussies) ground brushing shirts and ripped woolen jumpers. But the price tag exceeded my part-time casual McDonald's pay cheque. However, I have to disagree with the ugly tag here. I actually think they can look really nice. If I had some I'd like to wear them with a Peter Jensen white shirt dress, thick grey woollen, ribbed tights and the Tata-Naka chunky cardigan.

Another shoe I disagree with is Birkenstocks. How wonderful are they? I know my German in-laws cringe when I wear them but they are the most comfortable and practical shoe. They look nicer than a thong/flip flops and now come in so many different styles, even with crystals and designed by a certain supermodel if that's your thing.

Uggs I completely agree. They are UGLY! As an Aussie I really can't get it. I did own a pair while at boarding school because they were the best thing to walk from the dorm to the cafeteria of a cold morning. Then I also have a pair that I wore while travelling and snowboarding around Canada a couple of years ago. Perfect to wear in the car and quickly slip off into my snowboard boots.

As for Crocs, HIDEOUS! I don't care what you say. Only kiddies under 8 look cute in them after that they're just horrible. And seeing grown men wear them with shorts is too much. I also hear that they get rather smelly rather quickly...

I'm surprised Converse boots are not listed. While I love and live in mine, when you think about it, they're a very long narrow canvas shoe where the white gets really dirty and when worn with skinny jeans make people look like they're walking around with two canoes strapped to their feet. Attractive. But somehow they do work. Just to be safe though I only wear them with wider leg jeans.

Brittique in Stella Magazine

Stella Magazine featured the stunning purple silk Louise Amstrup dress on 23 December. The dress is absolutely beeeeautiful with it's asymmetrical collar and skirt detailing. As I've said before, Louise Amstrup's clothing really needs to be tried on to be believed. Unlike many designers, Louise designs for the real woman with clothes to fit real life waists and hips.

Interview with Gil Carvalho

Gil Carvalho is really building a name for himself. While not my thing, having celebrities such as Kylie, Jo-Lo, Liz Hurley and Madonna, wear his shoes has really helped to build his profile.

Sterling Magazine, the inflight magazine for Danish airline, recently interviewed Gil. This is what he had to say about living in London, his heros and what inspires him (scroll to the bottom).

Here is a sneak preview of just one style that will be available on Brittique.com from March.

Our sale has started!

In the true spirit of festivity Brittique.com went on sale today. I've marked down all the autumn/winter stock by up to 40%. Some past season stock is well below the wholesale price at up to 90% off. So 'tis the season to snap up a bargain.

Fashion Forward Winners

The British Fashion Council announced the winners of the Fashion Forward funding by Westfield, the Australian based shopping centre developer. The three winners are Roksanda Ilincic, Richard Nicoll and Jens Laugesen.

Roksanda Ilincic has a super fem style which I do really love and I've had my eye on her for a couple of seasons. Her AW07 collection was actually my fav. I attended the show with Susie Bubble and we both sat there with wide eyes and our cameras clicking as each model sauntered past. It was actually my favorite show of the season.

Jens Laugesen seems to be a favorite among bloggers and is regularly written about. His range is more masculine but still very wearable.

Congratulations to all three designers on the win and it will be great to see Roksanda on the on-schedule catwalk in February.

Congratulations to... yes, Hannah Marshall

The British Fashion Council announced the winners of the Top Shop New Gen Scholarship. And the winner includes, yep, Hannah Marshall. Hannah along with Anna Vince, Borba Margo, Charlotte Olympia, David David, Emilio de la Morena, Felder Felder, House of Holland, Justin Smith, Nicholas Kirkwood, Peter Pilotto, Poltock & Walsh will have a space in the main tent at London Fashion Week in February while Christopher Kane, Duro Olowu, Erdem, Krystof Strozyna, Louise Goldin, Marios Schwab, MeadhamKirchhoff, Todd Lynn will be on the catwalk.

Congratulations to Hannah who has worked so hard to get where she is and deserves all the credit she is getting. Look out for her collection available for preorder on Brittique soon.

More creations from my needles

As with anything I do, once I start I get rather obsessive about it. Knitting is no different. I now have so many projects on the go that I'm not sure which one to start - the baby blanket (must complete by 11 Feb) or a beautiful creation for my mum's birthday (must complete by 24 Feb) or a present for a friend's baby (must complete by 8 Feb).

But as I explained before, knitting has become important as a way to spend some "me" time and also as a creative outlet. So let me share with you my two latest creations the Headigan (cardigan for your head) and Calorimetry headband.

The Headigan (a sideways cardigan for your head) was an easy knit but I really needed it! I used Naturally Harmony 10 ply 100% wool. It feels wonderful to wear although I'd prefer it a little longer. But it's my fault for using too small needles.


The next creation is the Calorimetry. I used the same yarn as the Headigan, but made this much smaller so that it's just a headband and ear warmer rather than something that covers most of my head. It's invaluable for my morning walks (or waddles now I'm so huge!) as I like to wear my hair up in a ponytail, something you can't do stylishly with a beanie.

So after all these scarves and hats, you'll be pleased to know that I am doing some "real knitting". Here's a preview of a jumper I'm doing as a Christmas present for the man. So far, so good. It's a long long knit though, but seeing him wear it will be worth every little stitch.

Also on the needles is a baby vest, mittens and colourful socks. More about them later.

When previewing this I noticed that all my knitting is looking really grey. I'll add some colour to future projects.

Basso & Brooke for Loreal

The Basso & Brooke strapless bubble dress has been popular this season and already achieved a lot of press. Now Loreal used it for their latest makeup promotion in December's Elle. It's no secret that if I had somewhere to wear it then there would be one less available on the Brittique.com rails.

NW magazine's pick of the LBDs

Dressing for a work Christmas party can be incredibly difficult. While you still want to look professional and smart, you want to ooze a little sex appeal, especially if you're trying to impress a certain someone. I think the answer to this dilemma is this Kirribilla LBD as selected by Northern Woman magazine. It's definitely sophisticated and elegant with it's pencil cut but this also makes it sexy. Teamed with some spiky heels and sparkly clutch, it's the answer to "what to wear" dilemma.

Hannah Marshall fan club

This blog is fast becoming a Hannah Marshall fan club! But with all her achievements it's hard not to sing the praises of this rising star. Channel 4 just named Hannah as one of the UK's top 20 young creatives. It's not hard to see why. Her designs balance a beautiful cut with a timeless simplicity that still manages to be right on trend.

Hannah Marshall's spring summer 08 collection will be available on Brittique.com from February. Londoners can get a sneak preview at the Brittique Aveda event on 30 January.

Journelle NYC - finally a beautiful place to shop for lingerie

Last night was the launch party for Journelle, a stunning new multi-brand lingerie store on 17th Street, NYC. Having seen the store converted from a smelly old Greek restaurant to the luxurious shopping experience it is now was quite emotional for me.

My good friend Claire undertook this huge project on her own and has done a fantastic job. Everything is just perfect. The displays are creative and yet functional, the range features all the best brands and, the best bit, the changing rooms are huge - big enough for a mother and pram (important feature for me shortly!).

If you're in New York, or visiting it is worth stopping by for a bra fitting and the joy of shopping in a luxurious and friendly environment.

Notice that I still have the bag?

Update: Daily Candy wrote a great review about Journelle.

Join Brittique & Aveda for a night of fashion & beauty

Join Brittique.com and Aveda for an evening of fresh fashion and natural beauty

Wednesday 30 January, 7pm-10pm

Aveda Institute, 174 High Holborn,

London WC1V 7AA, Map

Shop the latest summer collections from top British designers such as Camilla Staerk, Emma Cook, Gil Carvalho, Hannah Marshall and Louise Amstrup.

Receive complimentary makeovers, hair styling, manicures and massages from Aveda's sumptuous beauty range and talented stylists.

Places are limited so please RSVP here.

Win a pair of Camilla Staerk shoes!

We have teamed up with ezine Fashion156.com to give you the chance to win a pair of shoes from the new Camilla Staerk collection. Enter here.

Pink Memo picks the best dresses

Pink Memo love this Basso & Brooke strapless bubble dress as it's the second time they've featured it. It is the perfect party dress and one that you could wear to a variety of events and, as long as it was with a different crowd each time, look sensational each occasion.

Online shopping for a bump

Read my latest guest blog for Sheerluxe on online shopping when pregnant.

Scarf and Snood complete - my neck is warm

Generic Garter Stitch Scarf (17 sts in width) inspired by brooklyntweed

Materials: Noro 'Iro' in shade #113, 2 full hanks Needles: US 10.5

Meet my new scarf. It was a very basic knit that I fell in love with while reading the amazing brooklyntweed blog. I'm actually cyber-stalking a few of his creations like the rest of the knitting blogging world!

This scarf was mostly knitted while on the subway or sitting patiently in my doctor's waiting room. It's good timing actually with the weather in NYC forecast to dip below zero tomorrow and possibly the first snowfall of the season. Yippee! Bring on the snow.

Snood pattern from The Point Knitting Cafe and inspired by Emma Cook's much more shapely and beautiful design.

Materials: Malabrigo gruesa, super thick black, nearly 3 skeins, Needles: US13

The "snood" is the actually the second item I completed but I tried it on and the man laughed at me and said it looked like my head had been bandaged so I didn't sew in the ends and just left it for a couple of weeks.

During my insomnia last night, I decided to finish it. But it didn't look right. So I found this fabulous little flower pattern and knitted the smallest size on US 5 needles and stitched it on. It made all the difference. Now it looks like a cute little cap and scarf. I'm looking forward to wearing it today.

So I'm near finishing off a baby vest (which is so big it might fit my baby next winter!) so I'm having knitters agnst because my next yarn delivery doesn't arrive until Monday and in the meantime I've got nothing left to knit.