“INNATE SENSE OF WHAT’S NEXT”
Midtown Manhattan
Words, Showroom Images- Judith Ecochard
Other Images Courtesy Steve Madden
The juggernaut Steve Madden held a preview of his STEVEN by Steve Madden (ladies premium), and “regular” men and women’s kickers’ and handbag collections in the spacious NYC corporate mothership.
We focused on the women’s.
Was there a trend not nailed down. We don’t think so…plus new interpretations AND carryalls that we want now to brighten up grey winter skies.
STEVEN BY STEVE MADDEN
“…chic shoes for every occasion…” Steven by Steve Madden uses a high-end mix of materials (leather, suede, raffia and metallics, beads) that give gals fashionable flat and heeled options.
Easily our favorite was the exotic snakeskin leather HATTIEE, a summer peep toe bootie with a twist---a lace up the tongue on a stacked wooden heel.
We also liked the sexy cut outs (LINORE and HUNTLY) on spiky heels…a heel we rarely saw elsewhere for Spring 2010.
Lace is still popular…here in a feminine spectator that are a twist on the “Man Up” theme.
The PATY, a genius mash up of raffia, leather and a wood heel---is so versatile we can see wearing this with denim, a cocktail frock, or with a neutral tone (black) office-y outfit. Nice.
The wedge is back in a big way. These easy to walk on sandals get a rehabilitated in the smooth suede HARRRY that’s on a dark chocolate stacked heel. We think this shoe will SELL.
Strappy cage sandals with spiked heels –are bare leg friendly,and hot hot hot--- even dressy enough for the BIG events.
Flats still sell BIG...ankles get a wrap ...
In a sandal the gladiator gets a dull metallic sheen …
Chicette stroll alert for the cobblestones of Capri--- bumped up flip flops with chains…aka bling, done well not over the top.
The Jazz shoe that gets us in a Bob Fosse state of mind…re-launches for 2010 in a bright leather lace up JACKY shoe-tricked out with cut outs.
Pumps get ruffled.
STEVE MADDEN is a modern (more accessible, price wise) line that is the mother ship, in a manner of speaking. Really, nothing about Steve Madden anything isn’t (hence the number of licensees like cool labels Betsey Johnson and Elizabeth and James).
For Spring 2010, the “Jungle Fever” flats really popped for us.
We love the beaded stone details that rocked the ethnic bohemian look. Metallic with bronze studs and mixed metallic beading are a great alternative to that everywhere Tory number.
KENDA
And like that ditty from the musical HAIR “twisted, beaded braided…” very chic multi strapped/buckled sandals and mini rise wedges come in the saturated spring colors (azure blue, hot pink) and light neutral shades that can make an outfit.
Very well done…
Booties are year round options…and this collection has a snazzy denim/ leather and bold colored suede options.
The stacked and spiked heels, with 'enough' that one can actually walk in them but still have that sexy height …wedges too ---
HITOWER
===come in mixed materials that render these kickers chic not cheap looking. embellished too...
The TUSCAAN on a wooden high wedge with suede and snakeskin leather
We loved the flat biker boot, the BRASKO…and can see like every one wearing these with cut off denim or leggings and a mini….year round.
HANDBAGS:
The satchels, hobos, totes, clutches and wristlets we saw came in terrific colors, and terrific leathers.
Soft folds, and subtle twists of leather give the functional haulers a bit of flourish.
Our top city carryalls are the oversized haulers…with solid hardware, and the sturdy handles that are long enough to slip under our shoulder.
There’s a whole lotta love going on at Steve Madden…enough to spread it around the world.
SHIPPING starts early winter.
STEVE MADDEN
