TKMaxx, unexpected hero of 2017

In the past on this blog, the wonders of TKMaxx have already be briefly covered, however this year has been a real jackpot of finds there. It seems that since Kurt Geiger’s Bicester outlet closed a lot of high end stock that needed to be offloaded have ended at TKMaxx, often at silly prices.

TKMaxx seems to be loading up on high end designer luxury recently, and often at silly money

I have seen, Prada, Stella McCartney, Gina, Moschino, D&G and even Valentino amongst others. Even better, often these finds have been in regional sites, although the chances of finding these gems are definitely improved by searching within the boundaries of the M25.

First Find

Never thought I would own a pair of Pradas, they’re legendary enough not to need discounts. So to see these in Brent Cross was pretty amazing, even better they were the yellow sticker price, at £50! Even better is that there was still the box (never seen that before!)

Advertisement

Sample Sale Silliness

While it feels like only yesterday, it was a couple of months ago when my beloved Rupert Sanderson held a sample sale. Rupert always has a taste for the class, so even while many designers hire an empty shop front or warehouse, we find ourselves instead visiting the Royal Institution on Ablemarle St in the heart of Mayfair. We tread the same boards that the scientific giants of from Faraday through Rutherford to Dawkins.

The Palatial Neoclassically Styled Royal Institution of Great Britain
Image modified under Creative Commons License, original artwork by Gryffindor

Faking it

Whole I admit I have an exceptional love for leather, sometimes its unjustifiable to splurge a triple figure sum on a luxe shoe or perhaps disagree with the use of animal products. So let’s start by playing a game, take a look at the pictures below, can you tell which is the real deal which is the imitation stuff.

A few shoes that haven’t been on the blog, can you tell which of these are real animal skin? Answers below. Hint: two are real animal skin

Designer Intro: Schutz

This is a brand that I have only recently come across in one of my forays in TK Maxx. I first saw them about half a year ago, and now are popping up more regularly there. Immediately, the quality of the shoes impressed me, add to that the designs are always really hot and bang on trend.

I picked these up in TK Maxx for £50, they’ve got the rock chic look, but also as tall black boots quite versatile and timeless

Designer Intro: Rupert Sanderson

It’s an established designer, Rupert Sanderson that I am writing about today, I’m sure many of you will have heard of him and maybe even wear his shoes. It is his approach to the industry makes him a unique designer in today’s world of fashion. As a result a there is a strong and loyal following from all walks of life, and I’m sure fans will know the whole story, but for those of you new to Rupert Sanderson, I hope by the end of this you’ll be going out to try his shoes out for yourself.

Rupert’s Britishness does come through clearly, and in many ways he has broken with expectations, he refuses to allow himself to be drawn into the seemingly endless the stiletto arms race where many other designers are being outlandish for the sake of it, instead he creates elegant designs are subtly sexy and exceptionally easy to style and wear. He plays hide and seek, and uses juxtaposition and contrast to play tricks with the eye, the result is you’ll look fabulous, you’ll also feel that way because you never push your body beyond what it’s meant to do.

Key to his success has been the vertical integration of production it’s crucial to achieving the standards he seeks. Looking and feeling the shoes, you’ll notice that only the best materials are allowed to delicately cradle your feet, all stitched together by hands of experienced Italian craftsmen at his own factory. This is why his collections are never made in huge volumes; the result is they always feel so much more exclusive.

Apart from designing four collections each year, Rupert finds time to create for a number of carefully selected a number of collaborations, including having worked with the King of Fashion himself, Karl Lagerfeld. These collaborations have produces some of his more conceptual ideas, yet he holds true to his core values and even these shoes are still very much wearable.

Now if Manolo was Carrie’s weakness, Rupert is my equivalent, just looking at these shoes is never enough. It’s time for me to strut out off into the sunset and for you to go to a shop and try Rupert Sanderson for yourself. You won’t be look back, but everyone else will.

All images from Rupert Sanderson Resort 2016 Campaign, © Rupert Sanderson 2016

All animals are equal, but some are more equal

We are often told leather shoes are good because they are made of a natural, hard wearing and water resistant material. Traders in the UK are legally required to label the composition of footwear. However in an effort to simplify things for the consumer the system is both unclear and open to exploitation.

Clockwise from top left: Brooklyn in Burgundy Calf by Rupert Sanderson, Nude Peep Toe in Nubuck by Ted Baker, Elba in Python by Rupert Sanderson, Studded Black Court by Dune

If a section of the shoe is made of more than one material, they both have to be labelled, but unlike clothing which clearly defines the composition by percentage, shoes don’t. Potentially a plastic shoe could have a leather trim and still be labelled as being synthetic and leather, without you necessarily knowing which is which.

Bargains in Sale Season

Merry Christmas to all!!!!

You might see a pair of shoes in a magazine and think to yourself that you could never afford them. Totally untrue, there a loads of bargains if you shop smart and make the most of this time of year.

Economy of Brands

Here are three of my faves.

From left to right Gold Studded Platforms by Dune, Foil Holographic courts by Dune, Azure Low Courts by Chinese Laundry

Lovely shoes, but theres more to the story.