All Tucked In

The onset of winter has the Grand Mademoiselle itching for a brand new pair of boots. In style seasons past, the fabulous fervor leading up to designers' boot debuts fizzled fast as fashionistas chose pants that covered up the intricate details that distinguish one pair from another. With nothing showing but the toe, all the Grand M saw was tonal variations of a pointy tip, leaving much to the imagination and masking some pretty magnificent creations. This year, the Grand M looks forward to boot season with renewed vigor and sense of purpose, determined to showcase her gorgeous finds with low-key pants tucked in, so as not to steal the show.


What makes a great boot? The options seem endlessly combined and complicated, but this season, there are key elements that the Grand M is looking for, namely, clean lines, soft leathers, easy construction, and simple sophistication. It's all too easy to mess up even the simplest boot, but little variations on a classic theme give the best results. Two options come to mind at the moment: a classic high-heeled boot, and a funky high-heeled boot, both based on the idea of a functional yet stylish shape without giving it all away for a silly trend. Pick one boot for substance, and one for individual style expression, both of which can exhibit trendy know-how without sacrificing taste. For substance, the Grand M has selected the Bally Balnerina in a classic, chocolate brown leather. The sumptuous, cognac hue and daringly modest three inch heel are a study in perfection, capped off by a delicately rounded toe and stunningly chic tunnel knee-high shaft. This is the boot of yore, that gorgeous, softly feminine shape that at once screams sexy without saying too much. The shape has often been attempted, but has not always been met with wild success, and all too easily a classic boot has fallen prey to cliche without realizing its full potential. Simple is best, but luxurious is essential.


For individual style expression, the Grand M is wild about the Chie Mihara Cunsi, a gorgeous knee-high boot, again in a lovely brown leather. The Cunsi is unlike any boot the Grand M has seen before, and the eclectic rum hue, tall slouchy shape, and indie-chic button-down top all demand exhibition, making these the perfect boots to mix and match with your winter wardrobe. Tuck a pair of skinny grey-washed jeans into these boots, and don a pin-striped tuxedo jacket over a thinly knit cashmere top and strut your way into winter fashion nirvana!

High Art

The Grand Mademoiselle is tired. Tired of the tried-and-true, cookie cutter, been there done that attitude infecting fashion this fall. Where is the drama, the sex appeal, the art, the magic and mystery, the innovation, the lust, the new? Enter shoe designer turned art world maverick Mark Schwartz to the rescue, who has managed to bring the Grand M back from the depths of design despair with an invigorating dose of gorgeous paintings to remind her of the fun that fashion is intended to embody. Schwartz is no rookie, and his impressive portfolio includes work with Roger Vivier and inspiration from cultural icon Andy Warhol. Certainly, Schwartz's own shoes are unbelievably gorgeous, hence having garnered the attention of the Oprah crowd and beyond. However, his soulful, sexy paintings of shoes are what make the Grand M all atwitter. Schwartz has a singular way of infusing real interest back into a lackluster season, with his tantalizing and downright haunting paint-and-paper depictions of that holy of holies: ladies footwear. Above all, what makes his work so wonderful is his obvious commitment to an often overlooked side of shoes, namely, the movement and spontaneity captured by the shape and construction of a beautiful pair. Schwartz's paintings are heady with the rich sense of newness, of individuality, all with a strict attention to paying due reverance to the artistic shape that women's shoes exhibit.

With this in mind, the Grand M is armed and ready to embark on her own renewed shoe sojourn, and the latest creations from Marni and Faryl Robin provide her with a reason to believe that shoes are every bit as fantastic, whimsical, and imaginative as Schwartz's paintings represent them to be. This season, the Grand M will strive to celebrate the beauty of shoes with every tippy-tap upon the earth, reveling in the glory captured by an avant garde outlook with a bit of fairy tale magic. Look for pieces with an unexpected shape, a unique twist on an old classic, or perhaps even a bold new color to revive the interest that a good shoe always arouses. Marni's peep-toe ankle boots are a perfect example, not only for their towering platform, but for their marvelous reworking of traditional taupe and the sweet surprise of an open toe on an ankle bootie. What's more, the imaginative tweed trim between the wood and leather is remarkly chic and refreshingly new. For something a little more down to earth, opt for Faryl Robin's electic 'Doobie' heel, with its quirky, off kilter charm and cheeky zebra stripe printed suede lining. The marvelous mixture of rich textures, combined with an asymetrical T-strap and fabulously unusual cone heel add layer upon layer of celebratory rapture to the 'Doobie', capturing the slightly left of center sex appeal that Schwartz's paintings strive to portray. Find all of Schwartz's work at http://www.highheeledart.com and let the celebration begin!