As many are already looking forward to spring and warmer weather, we have been busy adding many new styles of high heels, prom shoes and others. There are many new additions to our 4″ heels and 5″ platform heels. We are also having to say goodbye to some styles as the demand for them has faded. As always, as we try and keep our prices as low as possible, UPS and USPS have unfortunately increased their shipping rates. We are not making any changes to our shipping charges at this time, and hope to be able to keep them where they have been since our store opened. Our ground shipping charges are usually much less than what it actually costs.

Continue to check back often as there are still more additions and changes to come!

We were just reading through some news and came upon these very unique high heels and thought we would share with our readers.

Sao Paulo, Brazil, designer Andreia Chaves created these extraordinary “invisible shoes”, which are made from a faceted mirrored surface allowing the shoe to reflect different angles of the environment around it thus camouflaging itself with its surroundings.

These shoes are supposedly now available for purchase in Europe and Asia. We were unable to find any for retail purchase. We can imagine that they will be quite pricey!

Prepare to see alot of pink in 2011! "Honeysuckle" is the color of 2011. This was chosen by Pantone Color Institute, the company that largely sets color standards for the fashion and home industries.

A dynamic reddish pink, Honeysuckle is "encouraging and uplifting. It elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life".

So if you are still looking for a last minute idea for Christmas, keep in mind that turquoise is out and honeysuckle is hot!  

Most physicians recommend that if one insists on wearing flip flops, the more the shoe conforms to your foot, the better off your foot and leg will be, something similar to what is shown to the left. The wider the straps, the better. Also, try to get a sandal with a back strap. Back straps take some of the stress off your toes and decrease the demand for them to work so hard. Even with a comfortable flip-flop, you should limit your use to no more than a few hours of wear, as is recommended with the wearing of heels. Foot exercises are also a good idea, no matter if you wear flats, sneakers or high heels.

We have discussed a couple times in the past the Affordable Footwear Act. No, none of the current manufacturers of footwear in the US oppose the Affordable Footwear Act. This is because we do not make the kind of shoes here in the US that are being imported from China to be sold here. But while people here are fighting to eliminate the import fees on footwear being imported from China, China’s Commerce Ministry imposed a 96.5% duty on certain types of nylon imports from the US, more than doubling a preliminary anti-dumping tariff of 36.2% set last October. In the meantime the European Union, Russia and Taiwan were assessed anti-dumping penalties in October’s ranging between 4% to 23.9%.

We would like to explain what an anti-dumping duty is. It is a penalty imposed upon suspiciously low-priced imports, to increase their price in the importing country and so protect local industry from unfair competition. Anti-dumping duties are assessed generally in an amount equal to the difference between the importing country’s FOB price of the goods and (at the time of their importation) the market value of similar goods in the exporting country or other countries.

In Europe the economy is hurting as well. Unlike the US though they have extended import duties of up to 16.5 percent on Chinese shoes.

In December, Brussels extended import duties of up to 16.5 per cent on Chinese shoes, claiming that they unfairly undercut the cost of EU producers.

The European Footwear Alliance, estimates that EU consumers and businesses could lose hundreds of millions of euros through 2011. Meanwhile, the charges could generate euro 1 billion in tariffs, without helping Europe recoup lost manufacturing jobs because shoes from China and Vietnam are now being replaced by imports from other emerging countries.

The charges add between 9.7 percent and 16.5 percent to the import price of Chinese shoes and 10 percent to Vietnamese shoes. The EU says that equates to price jumps less than euro 1.50 for shoes that sell for euro 50, because the product is being imported at a price around euro 9.

So why are we trying to make it better for China to sell their goods here in the US while they are making it even harder for us to sell our goods in China?

Almost a year ago we posted a story ‘Is it the End of Crocs??‘. Much to our surprise, no it is not. But who would have ever imagined that Crocs would have strayed off into making high heels for women? They have invited footwear fans to “Feel the Love™” with 20 new styles in their spring / summer lines for women, men and children.

To the right is shown the Sately, one of the new Retro-inspired wedge styles for summer 2010, which retails for $39.99 a pair. This item is available in five different colors in sizes 4-11.

To the left you is shown the Conse, a 3.5 inch leather pump, which sells for $90 a pair. This style is part of the ‘YOU by crocs™ ‘ line, and has been on the market for several months. Reviews for these heels have been rather positive, especially among women who are used to wearing heels of this height several hours a day and usually complain of pain. With these they find it easier and more enjoyable to wear high heels.

Shown to the right is the Ambler, a men’s fur-lined ankle boot. Created for the winter months, the price of this item is currently reduced due to the season. It is not known if these will be restocked for winter 2010 / 2011.

Many people feel that Crocs is making a mistake by branching off in this direction. One brand strategy firm stated they "should skip the heels and stick to its strengths". Crocs made it’s good reputation due to the comfort that their footwear offers. If these new additions to their line can offer the comfort that other manufacturers

I thought I had seen just about everything, but surprise, something has pooped up to make me think again! High heels dipped in elephant dung?!? Is this pushing the natural material idea a little far? Since when has crap had a place in fashion or art? And since when has “that looks like crap” been a good thing? I guess now…

London-based designer INSA, who is already known for his joint venture with shoe designer Ruth Shaw with the label INSA HEELS, is responsible for these 10" platform heels dipped in elephant dung. These high heels are part of a new art exhibit at the Tate Britain. This piece is entitled “Anything goes when it comes to (s)hoes…” which will be included in a larger exhibition of work where several artists respond to Chris Ofili’s controversial The Holy Virgin Mary made from elephant dung. INSA is a fine artist and designer who has established himself from a graffiti background through extensive street level work and gallery shows around the world.

To the left you can see the exquisite bead work that has gone into this piece of art. This crap work is anything but crap!! Just like the collection of heels available from INSA Heels. Their styles are far from ordinary. Each unique style is a piece of art with prices that start around $250 per pair! Just as much as one would pay for a pair of heels designed by Chanel, Leboutin, or Vuitton. This could be one heck of a conversation piece for those who like to shoot the sh*t!

The fashion world has been saddened by the news of Alexander McQueen’s death on February 11th. The 40 year old British fashion designer was found dead in his luxurious London home by his housekeeper. No official cause of death has been reported, but it appears that it may have been suicide as he had been grieving the loss of his mother, who died 9 days prior.

Born Lee Alexander McQueen, he was well known for his unconventional designs, shock tactics and for earning the British Designer of the Year award four times. McQueen dressed several stars, including Sarah Jessica Parker, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Nicole Kidman. He opened stores in New York, London, Milan, Las Vegas and Los Angeles, licensed his name for fragrances, created a lower-priced line called McQ, and made collections of sneakers and suitcases for the athletic company Puma.

Like when most artists die, this will probably increase the value of the pieces which he designed: clothing, sexy shoes and accessories. His contribution to the industry will be greatly missed.

Last spring’s hot design for high heels was Chanel’s gun heel which was worn by Madonna to a movie premiere in 2008. At a price tag of over $2000 a pair, many people went looking for a look-a-like.

This spring is to see the release of Alexander McQueen’s ‘lobster claw’ heel. I’m sure most everyone has seen them and heard the stories about models refusing to wear them on the catwalk. There is mixed reaction from the public, ranging from they are to die for down to they are completely hideous.

Like normal there is expected to be a release of what one may call a look-a-like, or possibly an improvement on the original idea.

In December 2008, Siriano signed a deal to desing a line of low-cost shoes and handbags for Payless. In the fall of 2009 his designs were available for purchase. There are currently 10 shoes styles and one handbag style available at Payless, with a price tag as low as $29.99.

We thought it would be of great interest to our readers to get some input from professionals in the fashion industry regarding their experiences and opinions about current events / happenings in the field.

We recently conducted a brief interview with Diana Nesbitt, a fashion model / modeling teacher in the UK. Born and raised in Russia until 2002, she then moved to the UK and received her masters in teaching. Just some of her experience consists of working as a TV presenter and journalist, modeling for a number of fashion and retail companies, TV ads and brochures and has often been employed for catwalk fashion shows.

Below are our questions and her answers.

Q. Due to your profession we understand that you wear high heels just about all day. Outside of work how often do you wear them and what heel height do you prefer?

A. “Outside of work I don`t wear them at all. I might wear some 2-3` heels that are square or wine glass shaped if I go out and very seldom(like once or twice a year for Xmas party and a holiday night out) I`ll wear stilettos.”

Although Diana does not wear high heels often outside of work, we must say she looks good when she does.

Q. With top high heel shoe designers designing heels that reach heights of 6 inches or more, do you think that the shoes themselves are becoming too high and very hard to wear?

A. “I don`t see any practical use for heels this size. They don`t even look elegant or feminine but rather aggressive. The only place they look harmonious is high fashion catwalk which is nothing to do with real life.”

Q. Not that long ago Chinese models refused to wear  Alexander McQueen’s 12-inch high heels due to the risk of injury. In your opinion do you think we will see more of this in the future and do you believe that it will make designers create high heels with a lower heel?

A. “I am sure that we`ll see extremes like that in the future although I do anticipate some law suits from the injuries. Designers will inevitably  be experimenting with the shape and length of the heels because that`s what the have  to do to keep the shoe-making industry going.”

Q. Do you find it difficult modeling with your son or do you think it brings the two of you closer together?

A. “I never had any problems modeling with my son. In the actual fact I would like to have more opportunities to do so.”

Q. If the opportunity arises, can you see yourself doing commercials or runway, or would you prefer to stay a photographic model?

A. “I would love to do all sorts of commercials and runways. I enjoy this sort of thing even more than still photography.”

Q. In your own words, what would you say was your favorite shoot?

A. “It was a shoot modeling fashion clothing and accessories.”

Q. Outside of modeling, what are your favorite things to do?

A. “I enjoy singing in a band and taking photos in my home studio.”

We would like to thank Diana for taking time out of her busy schedule to answer our questions. We wish her all the best in her endeavors. If you would like to check out her website, the address is http://www.diananesbitt.co.uk/