Thinking Ahead about the Mud
Within a month's time, I've now found two new Italian shoe designers that don't automatically get bracketed as 'elegant' and 'classic' or particularly 'sexy' - three words that can get bandied about with Italian fashion. One is Stephen Venezia whose PR very kindly commented on the blog about stockist enquiries if you are desperate to get your mitts on some big-buckled shoes. My newest one and again, I'm not sure how they passed me by is Marséll (their website is a bit of an empty husk so a telephone call for info might be worth it depending on how deep you fall in love with their shoes). I might have stumbled upon them on Yoox once in a while but as with a lot of minor Italian brands on Yoox, I do have a tendancy to have a sieve of a brain when it comes to remembering them all. Now that the name is imprinted in my brain, I'm making it my mission to make an investment in a pair of Marséll boots for next season. I want something decidedly tough but not in a cliched way. Yes, a pair of 1940's Doc Martens would say 'tough' but I don't want my feet to be figured out so quickly and I'm loving the way Marséll shoes skirt around what they are. Masculine? Tom-boyish? Clunky? Sexy? Read what you like into them...
Here's the selection from Yoox which being past season are all quite reasonably priced. The curved square heels look like they'll go squelching in muddy grass very nicely (which is what I'd be intending to do in them...).
However, it was the latest collection from Luisa Viaroma that really cinched it for me, though it is significantly more pricy. Again, the heels are mud-squelchable but I'm especially loving the ribbed socks inside the brown double layered boots.
If you look at the mens selection (something which I'll be egging the boyf to do....), you can see the crossover between both sexes. Marsell clearly believes black patent should be worn by all, men or women (couldnt' agree more....) and the brogue styling, which is something that has only recently gone into mainstream for womens' shoes should be shared by all too.
(Background illustrations by my sister Louisa Lau who I have shamelessly plugged a few times but big congrats to her as she graduated with a first class honours degree at Central St. Martins today)
your sister is really talented but most importantly she has a rich imagination! love her work! congrats to her for graduating and to you for her being your sister!
I'd die for those brown double layered boots...
Posted by: diana | 21 June 2007 at 23:51
Oooh, I love those brown layered boots, and also the black lace-ups beside them.
*sigh* if only...
Posted by: Stylefinder | 22 June 2007 at 00:00
I love these. They're sleek in a way that a lot of oxfords and boots too often aren't. Amazing find.
Posted by: ambika | 22 June 2007 at 04:45
mud squelchers. i'll be needing some of those.
Posted by: SwanDiamondRose | 22 June 2007 at 05:53
Congrats to your sister!!!
Love the brown sock tiered low boots, btw
Posted by: the_kitten | 22 June 2007 at 08:13
stopping by to say hi and i love your blog... but also to say *wow, that's crazy* because my name is louise lao. haha.
Posted by: louise | 22 June 2007 at 08:30
Your sister is a very, very talented young miss! Those illustrations were the first thing that struck me.
I have seen Marsell on LVR many times over the past few seasons and the thing that always put me off was the weird, too exaggerated turned up toe, but the new season stuff is much, much nicer. The sock boots things are stunning as are the top patent ones. Yum.
Posted by: DJM | 22 June 2007 at 09:05
Your sista's 99 Thingz is amazing, realy quirky and positively neat, really swell, good luck to her!
Posted by: Cillian | 22 June 2007 at 09:56
It's funny. I JUST discovered the Marsell patent leather shoes this morning and came across your blog where your topic is Marsell shoes. I love them.
Posted by: fullfrontal | 22 June 2007 at 16:40
Congratulations to your sister, Susie- I followed the link to ThinkProlific the first time you put it up, and she's really good. I remember having a few questions about just what she worked with, and she was nice enough to answer them.
Posted by: Blue Floppy Hat | 23 June 2007 at 11:44
oh i'm glad i found your blog! and those are such gorgeous shoes!!! yum!!
ps: your sister is terribly talented. i wish i could draw half as well.
Posted by: gilda | 24 June 2007 at 15:58
Stop showing me such cool and covetable shoes, you evil fashion temptress! Thank Jehovah YOOX doesn't carry (or ship) these styles Stateside, or I'd be about $1,500 poorer right now.
Posted by: The Fashion Informer | 25 June 2007 at 19:47