The Gateway Clog

I never thought in a million, trillion thought that I was a lady of the clog. While in Portland this summer I found the gateway drug of clogs at House of Vintage. Well, they aren't really cloggy, just wood veneer, and sick hardware strapping the single perf leather toe strap. But seriously, this is about as far down the clog path I was willing to go. These rigid soled honeys are surprisingly comfortable. I can do a whole mess of errands in the city no probs. The heavenly gates of clogdom opened, and I saw the light. Soon after I had the chance to process the epiphany.... the holy grail of clogs came unto me:

Aren't they obscene? Too red, too shiny, buckles insanely huge. I love them. I have an outfit in mind to summon up a Dutch school boy from the late 60's turned up a few notches (psychedlasized?). I can see it now complete with patent red backpack, culottes, a stripy blazer, a crisp button down shirt with oversized bow tie and knee sock. Or a smock. Omygod smocks. yum.

Rita Ackermann : Sirens with Engines

I love Rita Ackermann. I love her because she recalls all that was romantic and nostalgic about the 90's -- in a sacred way. My network of friends and my atmosphere/community absorbed her art in a way that made it seem all ours. It's got to be the identification with the innocent siren, the naive doe in the midst of chaos. Strong emotional ties there. In my memory, the past 10 years' events have been about surviving insanity. (and now i'm glad to say, thriving-ish in insanity) I'm glad Rita Ackerman has the emotional antennae to detect for herself foremost, and offer her images for those who are hungry for evolution.

Here's some images from the new Purple. Totally worth reading cover to cover!



Mr. Zahm did an amazing interview with her. ANd hello!? a kick ass photo her in a Mark Fast mesh/crochet dress and patent Pam Hogg no heel shoes with none other than Ms. Lizzi Bougatsos (love). I had no idea how much Rita and Lizzi did together art/happening/performance art-wise.
Reading the interview reminded me of the casual story telling style I loved so much in old zines. That sort format really helps break down recent art history in basic digestible bits while shedding pretension. It's a way to recollect 'the way it was' bleeding into 'the way it is'. All together you see there's room for so much more art.

Yeah, so much more art. There's also a feature later in the same magazine with photos by Ackermann, words by Jeff Rian. It's a story about Marfa, TX, featuring her sewing on the hood of a car. So awesome....

All Nude Review

I've got to in on some of that neutral skin colored action. I'm digging the nude color with puce (or some other vulgar color) found here on facehunter(left). I bought this number wrap around on Etsy this morning (right).

Hoping to combine my safari jumper fantasy+hot messiness of this piece of work:

Somewhere in between we shall meet. Next up nude colored heels! Should be these Calvin Kleins cheese graters I saw on Geometric Sleep. Cheese graters?!

Don't Make Me Do It

Saw these Sam Edelman Studded wedges today on urbanoutfitters.com The solution to wanting to be sheathed in black and white all summer is aeration. I've decided that today. The heel has a faux Louis Viutton slit. I'm not that into slingbacks. I have no idea why, but with an open toe, height and the sling back:::wearing these should be something like catching a nice gust of wind while walking over an industrial bridge on a hot summer day. To buy or not to buy?

White Tiger Mighty Liger

What have I done. I bought these insane white tiger/zebra boots on a depressive whim. Not sure what I think about them other than they would be great house shoes. They are so comfortable and soft, they could easily replace slippers. A little over the top? Hmmm...never.

Margiela Spats on 50 Cent Boots

You may recall a boot project I had going last week. These guys right here:

I finished the spats today. What do you think?



Yes, nude bodysuit and all:

These are the first spats/boot alterations I've ever done. I want to do more soon.

Leather Universe

I'm really digging Raphael Young's shoe design, Especially the boots and booties on the left. In Dazed Digital he said, "leather is my universe", If that's true, put me in a spaceship and send me there.

Love his sketches...something to aspire to.

Keeping Busy to Stave My Mind

Keeping busy with projects today.
1. Continuing saga of the plain white t-shirt.

I sewed it to make it long and skinny, then dyed it with Black Rit dye. Most like Obesity and Speed's black shredded T:


2. New project: imitating the look of Margiela's sagging/folded leather boot with spats. I found the boots on the right at the Goodwill bins ($1). They are comfortable but I really don't like the aesthetic of narrow ankles.

I'm building ruffled leather spats to fasten on top of them. Here's the process in action, using a favorite (toxic!) product: Shoe Goo with a close second: clothes pins.

Using scraps of leather from roomie Sadie's leather skirt and a damaged leather coat.
Get back to you on the end result.

Lo-Fi Shoe Fetish Spy

Zana from Garbage dress posted this. LOVE it. Her shoes are kinda perfect and I'm now totally obsessed with Martin Margiela now. His shows are kookoo nutballs.

The cast in order of appearance:
Martin Margiela, IXOS, Martin Margiela, Martin Margiela, Veronique Branquinho, DIY for LURVE magazine shoot, Martin Margiela, Jeffrey Campbell, Jeffrey Campbell, Vintage, Paco Gil, Fiorentini + Baker, Frye, Report, Bottega Veneta, Vintage + DIY

I especially dig Martin Margiela's S/S 2009. I want to jump inside this world and stay there.


This is from Nathan's blog ArtThrob by Mudcole director/fetishist/artist (???). To me it's all about sick-sexy shoe voyeurism taken to another level. Like "I love it so much I want to smash it into a thousand pieces" kind of passion.

How's This for a Piece of Fried Gold?

Black+gold= yes please.

Dolce and Gabbana's Fall 09/Winter 10 makes me want to weep into my surrealistic pillow. All the B/W, gold and hot pink animal print AND polka dots (!) makes me swoon. Blanche Deveraux-Golden Girls butterfly shoulders and bows for miles. Campy, over the top and perfect. Exactly up my alley. I hope my 2010 will have some of this action:



And my favorite part? CLOSED TOED SHOES. I realized now that I am thirsty for closed toes these days.

Why Is this Happeing to Me?

Omijesus. I go to my local Goodwill about once a week. Lately, I don't know what is going on but I'm finding the sickest gear. Today I found a bunch of black dresses and jumpers. I think I've doubled my wardrobe just this month. Goodwill, I remember the days I used to drop 15-20 and be boinged with excitement. Now what? I can't leave without layin' down a hundy? Can't help myself.

Today I found a pair of quintessential patent Gucci pumps with horsebit metal detail. They were a cool $99.99, 10% discount and $10 coupon. Let's just say a cool $80 because my bills are gonna wanna know where that skrilla disappeared to.


And these grey cinch/slouch boot for $9.99.


Here's my other scores this month. (Thanks Sadie for the silver and black pair!)





It's exhausting, huh? S/S 09 I'm ready for you. Hear that? I'm ready, quit it with the snow already. Sheeshles.

Desperately Seeking

I love everything about the movie Desperately Seeking Susan. How brilliant is it they masterminded a pair of promotional boots and a jacket to accompany the fan frenzy cultivated by the movie? Pretty brilliant.

Love the boots that look eerily similar to Louboutin's studded ankle boot:

Or am I right?


Also, I would consider enduring some form of torture or minor infection for the freaky Mason pyramid eye jacket:






And Sonic Youth/Ciccone Youth's take on Get Into the Groove

Fantasy Boot

For the life of me I cannot find a pair of the most perfect boots I saw a lady in a shop wearing. It was about a year ago in a crowded little antique mall filled with stuffy West Hills moms and one woman with the raddest boots ever. I'm still on the prowl and about 150 ebay searches later, I'm still empty handed. But I did find a pair from an unsuspecting LA designer Calleen Cadero.

And can I just say, most are hideous. But out of nowhere these popped up:


I love the leather buckling in on itself but just want it more exaggerated and hanging off the shoe itself. Like a leather cowel neck for your foot.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Love these shoes::::from Slow and Steady Wins the Race
Carried by Stand Up Comedy in Portland
811 E Burnside Ste 119

Watch out for the shoot I'm doing for Adam Arnold some time next month.