Woman’s Passions

In a spring-and-summer season designers thought up a lot of interesting things, however, the most popular models, most likely, are boots-sandals a-la gladiator and boots on a hairpin with open cape.

Boots + sandals

The idea to attach a boot top to sandals appeared as continuation of gladiatorial style of last seasons. This style develops further and in Spring-Summer 2008 season designers showed very high creative work. Balenciaga and Givenchy used complex structures: crossing strips, intricate cuts and hand-made ornaments. But at the same time, it is possible to see also the opposite approach: Martin Margiela variant of sated yellowy-brown colour, above knee length, looks simply and minimum.

The main feature of this direction - use of rough, raw materials and authentic technics. Pagan motives are shown, first of all, in ways of furnish: Dries Van Noten offers native ink prints in combination with plentiful ornament, and Yves Saint Laurent uses symbols resembling hieroglyphs superficially. Undoubtedly, one of the most effective silhouettes are gladiatorial sandals offered by Balenciaga.

Sports furnish

In spring-and-summer collection 2008 you can meet original models with high dizzy heels in combination with sports elements of furnish. Instead of classical metal fasteners designers use hooks & loops, strong lacing, zippers and plastic fasteners. Outwardly sandals seem volumetric due to furnish made by stitches along the contour, stylised strips meaning speed and convenience, and contrast top furnish a-la zigzag. Footwear levity and air permeability are provided due to a porous, “breathing” leather and decorative apertures, as, for example, in Alexander McQueen models.

Laced boots

Another variant with lacing, but this time very feminine and elegant. We can observe a successful combination of beauty and practicality in Luella model, where varnished material of sated grey colour contrasts with black laces and steady heel.

Cross-wise

A tight cross lacing, adding bewitching grace and some fetishistic appeal to feet, becomes even more complicated in Spring-Summer 2008 season. Without any doubts, Vivienne Westwood model is one of the most womanly: harmonous beautiful shape of heels, black patent leather, very small top baring arch of the foot sexually. A multi-coloured Alessandro Dell ` Acqua new model with intertwining strips of pale shades can can predict ideas for a new trend.

Original heel

Spring-and-summer collection made really fantastic effect due to intricate, eclectic heels. Chanel model can be considered as a real work of art, in which the firm logo divides a heel into two halves, and there is an impression that this gold badge serves as support for the top part. Fendi thought up an original chain armour giving conic form to a heel. Armand Basi decorates model with huge pompons made from raffia, creating playful volume effect.

Super-platforms

Key silhouette of this summer: weighted forward part in combination with high, harmonous or massive square heel in a style of 70-s’. The accent on increased proportions is reached by stratification of various materials and graphic colour inserts on a platform and the top part of footwear. Suede and satiny furnish looks very beautiful, but demands good care. More practical models are made from smooth, durable leather.

Snakeskin

Exotic variant of a season - a snakeskin fitting top and sole for the maximum effect. Basically, one-colour models of warm sienna colors and yellow-brown colour dominate here. Though, mysterious Anna Sui model and two-colored Derek Lam effect look very impressive. Mosaic work in the 70-s’ style by Dolce and Gabbana expresses some playful relation to this magnificent material.

Basketry

This authentic, hand-made technics was applied to create both soles and the top part of footwear. Accurate tight plaits and loose trellised weaving also look effectively. A usual cord, rough, raw or painted by a special solution, and brilliant varnished fabric and polished leather are used as materials in Undercover models.