Matt Bernson: The Perfect Sandal

Every Grand Mademoiselle struggles with the big "sandal question", that is, to show or not to show one's toes.
The answer ladies?

Show them! But only if you are wearing a fabulous sandal, and who better to understand the plight of the Grand M but designer Matt Bernson, whose creative, sunny, thoughtful, and obviously gorgeous footwear makes me (literally) drool.


His shoes range from the medieval, aka, the Gladiator . . .








to the deserts of Namibia, aka, the African Bead . . .

to the faintly Indian-inspired Dupioni Silk.











All of these fabulous Matt Bernson designs are available for Grand Mademoiselle's at www.mattbernson.com and at www.barefoottess.com. I personally wear my African Bead's with everything from a pair of jeans and T-bags tunic to a Galliano trapeze shift in bright yellow.

But it's up to you, my fellow Grand M, to make Matt Bernson your own.

Morocco In The Summer Is Grand

Recently, the Grand Mademoiselle has grown tired of the current summer fashion trends (neon? please) and yearns deeply for something rich and grandiose, something timeless yet period. Summer is a much neglected time for fashion, as designers rush to fulfill fall orders and attempt to rid themselves of spring inventory. We are inundated with bikinis, leopard-print scarves, and those god-forsaken clear totes.
But what about SUMMER . . . have we forgotten what this alluring season means?

For the Grand M, summer means Grace Kelly in Monaco, the Onassis yacht, Santorini, and the allure of traveling to foreign places filled with fashionable treasures. Mirrored cushions, bright satin draperies, boudoir netting, and the chic blend of east-meets-west: such are the summer gems that capture the Grand M who watches the sunset in Morocco while wearing the best that Western fashion has to offer.


The Grand M's current obsession is the Marrakesh sandal by Tapeet by Vincini. http://www.barefoottess.com/OnlineStore/Designer/TapeetByVicini/Tapeet-Marksh-Blu/ Tapeet's sandal captures the essence of a night in Casablanca - a luminous moon, a beaming sky brimming with constellations, Chloe's white, gauzy, embellished shift dress (http://www.net-a-porter.com/Chloe/Whats-New) and the weight of a Dori Csengeri Haute Couture Sante Fe necklace against the Grand M's collarbone (http://www.vivre.com).

All of the Tapeet sandals complete the Grand Mademoiselle's vision of the ideal and quintessential summer, and her new rule is to approach the balmy season from the toe up - she will slide her glorious size 12's into these luscious, supple, summery Tapeet's and spend an evening in Morocco . . . even if it's only a hot, sticky night in Manhattan.
tapeet
shoes

A Grand Introduction

Oh the agony! Such precious time wasted and hopeful dreams of fashionable footwear crushed by the reality of a size 12 foot.

Not to worry - the Grand Mademoiselle is here to find real solutions by seeking out up-and-comers, critiquing established venues, and presenting to her fellow Grand Mademoiselle's the creme de la creme of large size footwear, accompanied of course by in depth explorations and insights into the latest that the fashion trend-setters have to offer.

What Grand M doesn't lust after a gorgeous Repossi gold cuff, a luscious Gustto clutch, or a fabulous Hermes scarf? And what better accompaniment to such luxe goodies can there possibly be but a say-something, head-turning, of-the-moment shoe to complete the Grand M's style ambition? Nothing says "I have IT" more than a pair of Loeffler Randall flats, effortlessly paired with a pleated shirt-dress and Tod's Bauletto tote.

Or perhaps another Grand M prefers the breezy yet sophisticated "I have IT" style of the Catherine Malandrino knit blouson dress with a whimsical Bo'em pearl-shell embellished Charlie thong sandal. Whatever your fashion dreams, my fellow Grand Mademoiselle, I will dedicate myself to ensuring that they become realities by finding the latest and the greatest of gorgeous shoes to accommodate us in all our size 10-14 glory. Big feet means big taste, and the Grand Mademoiselle is on a mission ordained by the gods of Trend-Setting Sophistication.