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!

The women, aged 29 and 25, made a film of their “animal crushing” exploits, having been promised a considerable amount of money for the video by an unnamed man. The women not only stepped on mice, but also two lizards and three geckos, and ran over 12 mice in a car on the video. They also filmed themselves burning mice with lit cigarettes.

The 29 year old woman was sentenced to a suspended sentence of nine months, and told to pay €500 to an animal protection organization. Her 25 year old friend is missing and could not be sentenced. No information is available about the man who was paying the two women to make the video as he is facing charges in a different case. The 29 year old claims that she did not torture the animals for fun, rather that she needed the money that she had been promised in order to move to the US and study business. Her dreams have been shattered as she is no longer allowed to enter the US.

A court ruling today refused to grant a preliminary injunction requested by Christian Louboutin against Yves Saint Laurent alleging trademark infringement on shoes that featured red soles suspiciously similar to those of Louboutin’s. The decision not only cleared the way for YSL to continue producing its shoes, but also seemed to give coverage to other shoe manufacturers who may want to add a scarlet underpinning to their own future models.

The federal judge ruled that the trademark Louboutin obtained in 2008 for its “lacquered red soles” was “overly broad” and likely not protectable. The court ruled that allowing Louboutin to claim that scarlet sole as solely its own would have been like enjoining Monet from using a specific shade of blue in his Water Lilies series because Picasso had gotten there first with the paintings in his Blue Period. The parties have been ordered back to court next week.

We will continue to track this story and give updates on the outcome.

French footwear designer Christian Louboutin has filed a lawsuit against rival Yves Saint Laurent, a subsidiary of the Gucci Group, over the use of the color red on shoe soles. Louboutin launched his line of high-end women’s shoes in France in 1991. Since 1992, his designs have incorporated the shiny, red-lacquered soles that have  

become his signature. Since January 2011, Louboutin has requested YSL to stop selling red-soled shoes in the same boutiques in Manhattan as he does. He claims that as it is virtually identical to Louboutin’s use of the red-sole, it is likely to cause and is causing confusion, mistake and deception among the relevant purchasing public.

In 1992, Christian began incorporating the red sole into the design of all his footwear. Since then he has trademark the idea. To the right is displayed just one of Louboutin’s popular red lacquered high heel pumps. Styles such as these can fetch more than $1000 a pair!

To the left is a pair of Yves Saint Laurent red soled high heel pumps. Although the soles are red, they don’t appear to be much of a match of Louboutin’s use of red lacquer. It appears that YSL is actually matching the sole color to the shoe color on many styles, and not trying to impersonate or cause confusion. There are three styles in question — the Tribute, Palais and Woodstock. These styles also come in green and purple, with green and purple matching soles, respectively.

The law suit asks for a U.S. judge to impose $1 million in damages and order YSL to stop manufacturing similar designs.

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!

In London on July 17, a Scottish businesswoman claimed in court that she decided to drink and drive as she was not able to walk quickly enough in her high heels.

Kyra Ritchie and her husband and friends were staying in town in a hotel to celebrate a friend’s birthday. She argued that she struggled to keep up with a group of friends because of the shoes she was wearing on a night out, she decided to turn back to change them and got behind the wheel of her car to catch up with them.

The court was told that Ritchie was wearing training shoes when she was stopped by the police and found to be well over twice the legal limit.

It being her first offense, she has been banned from driving for 18 months and fined 360 pounds (approximately $550 USD). Although she showed up for court wearing 5 inch heels, she changed out of them before leaving into a pair of sensible boots.

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.

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!

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.