What Would Project Runway All Stars Shoe? (#WWPRS) Neiman MONDO Approved!

The Project Runway All Stars season has come to an end, crowning it’s All Star winner last night.  And while I didn’t do an All-Stars What Would Project Runway Shoe?  blog series for it, I’ve been watching it religiously because I adored the All Stars crew.  I was fortunate enough to meet many of the All Stars at Fashion’s Night Out a couple years back in the Big Apple.  These designers, aside from being insanely talented, are just completely wonderful sweethearts who’s passion for fashion is so deep, it’s contagious.  *swoon*

So here’s your spoiler alert!

Last night’s winner who received Project Runway’s largest prize package yet, was none other than Denver’s best, Mondo Guerrero.  And I honestly cannot be happier.  I do think that Austin and Michael put out really fantastic collections, and what made it so hard was that while being so incredible, they were so different so it’s really hard to choose which collection was the overall best.  Tommy Hilfiger’s comment about Mondo’s Therapy collection being ‘60’s meets 80’s was so very on point, and probably why I am drawn to it so much.  It marries the best of my two favorite eras.

Even though Mondo won me over with his Calavera/Day of the Dead inspired runway in Season 8, he’s grown leaps and bounds with this entire season and his final runway for All Stars.  Because of how cohesive his black and white color palette was, I immediately thought of the Yves Saint Laurant Tribtoo cap toe pump in the black patent and red suede to pair with his divine designs.  From the first opening look he opened his show with, Mondo’s ability to make clothes wearable for the real working girl is apparent.  The Tribtoo’s Spring update is perfectly in line with the mod color blocking trend.  This shoe is so great for the gal sporting Mondo’s collection because it’s got enough classic lines and traditional conservatism with the black darted crescent toe and pump style that it balances out the red suede pop that has to be inherent in your sass, leaving you looking refined but alive among the stuffy suits at work.

The 4 ¼” heel seems towering to be able to pull off for a long work day but the Tribtoo has a 1 ¼” platform bringing the actual heel to a 3” height that’s much more doable for all the running from meeting to meeting.  The wide leg pants move just enough to let the red peek out from underneath.  And man, talk about making your gams go the distance in the mini dress with these.   Because they aren’t showing “too much” skin, you can pull off wearing the Tribtoos with the mini dress without looking being mistaken for that other kind of working girl. ;)   

These are not what you call budget friendly, rather they're an investment piece. ;)  But like Isaac Mizrahi said last night, you really can’t spend enough on your hair and your shoes, Daaarling!  And I definitely couldn’t agree more. ;)

*hearts*

Loafin’ Around

As you all have figured out by now, flats are not quite my first shoe choice, regardless of the occasion.  However, in pondering the new fun bright colors of Spring, I came across these adorable penny loafers at Old Navy.  The whole penny loafer vibe brings me back to my old Catholic school days with the plaid uniforms and crisp white blouses.  The fond memories of making a mess while dying Easter eggs and Girl Scout cookie season remind me of why Spring is so fun and so happy.  These loafers hit that mark completely.

They come in three colors, yellow, navy and cognac brown.  I had to get the navy since I’ve found navy flats rather hard to pin down.  I was really excited about how well these fit.  Far too often I find flats that make a really large gap on the sides of my foot when I take a step…. That’s the sign of an ill-fitting shoe.  These didn’t give me that.  They only have whole sizes so in trying them on, it was the gap that determined the smaller size was for me.  They have a little cushioning on the soles making them really rather comfy.  They were perfect for my Sunday flea market shopping. ;)

Some other bonuses about these, are their super budget friendly $29.94 price tag, they’re vegan friendly for all my ladies who are dedicated to the vegan lifestyle, AND, best of all, no smelly or sweaty feet after a whole day of walking around. :)

*hearts*

Leap Day!

Once every four years we get one extra day in our year.  And since it’s one more chance to live it up and love it up, I’m doing my best to celebrate an “extra” day of life.  And you KNOW that includes some new shoes! ;)  I came across these last week when my barista asked me to help her find some great red pumps.  I was thrilled to assist.  So much so, in fact, that I ended up purchasing these for me!  These are the Mellitta from Nine West.

Miss Whitney Port featured these at New York Fashion Week and I completely see why.  The red patent is just soooo unbelievably sexy chic.  At first glance, the Mellitta carries itself as a very classic pump.  Having had in my hot little hands and sporting them on my tootsies, they are really much more than that.  They have these very subtle nuances of retro style.  Specifically, the round toe is very interesting.  It’s a classic round toe, but the pump comes up a bit higher than most on the bridge of your foot.  This is what adds to it’s subtle retro throwback.

What I am loving most about this pump is the heel.  They have a 5” heel that includes a 1 ¼” platform.  But the difference here is that it’s a thick heel.  It’s not your standard pump heel, very reminiscent to the recent Brian Atwood and Sam Edelman lines.  I should warn you, you have to take a minute to get used to the thicker heel.  I have had to shift where I put my weight on my steps, kinda like the way you had to learn how to walk in wedges after only having pumps all your life. :)  So it’s this thicker heel that I find to also add to the retro feel of the shoe.  It’s a great modern retro twist on a classic.  Ladies on the Nine West site have also raved about the Mellitta in their reviews.  They are a great reason to leap for joy. ;)

*hearts*

Chasing Away The Blues

It seems that the more people I talk to the more I see had it kind of rough last year and totally putting on their best attitude for this new year.  It seems to be working as people are getting back into the swing of life and getting out of their slumps.  I’m also evolving my fashion choices into loving a bold Spring wardrobe with lots of reds and blues.  Mr. Jason Wu for Target helped kick start that palette with is uber cute blue dress with red stripes on the circle skirt.  So very retro… *j’adore*  And as such, I ran across these wonderful little navy blue mary jane wedges at  H&M.  I saw something similar to these at Aldo last Fall and got caught up in life and missed them.  When I saw these, I knew these were keepers!

There is really nothing negative about these.  They have a 5” heel that starts from a ¾” platform.  They are all faux suede and leather, which means my vegan girls are in luck. ;)  I also am completely shocked at how unbelievably comfortable they are.  Seriously, I’m astounded.  No pinching, no rubbing, not a single band aid is needed.  They have a ribbed rubber sole for some seriously fantastic traction on the tricky urban sidewalks and streets.  And the best part about them is that they are so very pocketbook friendly!  They are only retailing for $34.95.  Talk about keeping your fabulosity while chasing away your blues. ;)

*hearts*

Loafing Around in the New Year

The beginning of another year prompts reflection on the past year’s bad fashion choices and encourages us to look forward to set a higher bar for the coming year.  We clean out our shoe closets with fond memories and giggles of some fashion missteps.  There are aspects of our lives that we devour with passion like a new hobby or a new goal.  Some go for that new diet for a goal weight, for me its photography.  I got me a fancy schmancy new Canon that is my new intrigue and life.  ;)  And there are aspects of our lives that we sort of wiggle slowly around… like a loafer. :)  That’s why my January pick of the month, regardless of your climate, is the stacked heel loafer.  These are my new darling for 2012.  They could arguably be the new wedge.  Yes, ladies, you heard it here first.  It’s the perfect staple for any Working Girl’s Shoe Closet.  Getting it in various colors helps keep the spunk in your classic office suiting.

I purchased these Banana Republic ‘Quinn’ back in the Fall because I couldn’t make it through the Autumn without a touch of sage coloring my work wardrobe.  Be sure to check every concern of comfort at the door.  These wonderful platforms are very cushy and make those long marathon days a breeze on your feet.  With a tall 4” inch heel, camouflaging the ¾” platform, you walk around making every gal jealous of your recent growth spurt. ;)  The suede is the only thing that left me wishing for more, meaning another pair of course! ;)

And as such, I have been SWOONING for these GORGIE Tory Burch ‘Belinda’ desperately.  Santa brought me lots of goodies for being a good girl this past year, but somehow, he forgot these!  Luckily these darlings are on sale right now and I can’t think of a better reason to max out my credit card! ;)  I can’t tell you how thrilled I was that I got the ‘Quinn’ in the suede sage color, because that completely justifies for these universally neutral tan ‘Belinda” loafers.  I mean seriously?  You had me at gold buckle strap…. MAJOR SWOON.

*hearts*

Blog Hacked

Hey there,

Sorry for the technical difficulties.  It seems that the Working GIrl's Shoe Closet is so popular, we've been hacked!  Once all the madness is sorted out, we'll be back on online.

Sorry for the disruption.  Hope your 2012 is hitting it off on the right shoe! ;)

*hearts*

WINS! Project Runway Winner, Anya Ayoung AND Missoni for Target Pumps Giveaway Winners!

Well, Season 9 of Project Runway has finally come to an end and Anya Ayoung (#PR9Anya) was crowned the winner.  Her designs wowed the judges and shocked most fans.  Victor was the expected winner since the majority of his designs were impeccably constructed and just such a chic line overall.  It was rather disappointing that his runway designs were pushing his creativity to something that didn’t seem to suit him.  While I also thought Victor did better in the season, I really didn’t like his runway.  Anya, on the other hand, really did impress me with her runway show.  It was fresh and fun and very her.  There’s something to be said for staying true to who you are no matter what.  I guess sometimes that’s what will make you win in the end.  

As for my Missoni pump winners, they are, drumroll please….

Amy Ford Wagner, Long Island City, NY

Maria Scala, Cliffside Park, NJ

Yolanda Machado, Valley Village, CA

Amy Reneau, Wichita Falls, TX

Special thanks to Ms. Ford Wagner for sharing her kicks with the fabulous Manhattan skyline backdrop!

I have ONE more pair left for your Christmas stocking.  Want it?  Enter to win here.  

Thanks to Project Runway too for another exciting season of dramatic fashion!

*hearts*