I love a good non traditional sneaker, especially when they’re in a dusty rose shade that’s primed for the coming spring season.  Remember spring? It’s when it usually dosen’t rain all the time and sun tends to shine more, which makes you want to wear sneakers; possibly these sneakers.

We’ll start from the bottom and work our way up, because that makes the most sense here.  Bruno Cucinelli has made a beautiful minimalistic leather sneak, featuring ribbon laces for less of a sporty look.  Valentino’s style is lace covered, which gives a bit of a mixed lingerie on your foot type look.

The house favorite is Sam Edelman’s Alexander, which has been re-released in a spanking dusty rose leather.  I’ve got these sneaks in black, and they’re one incredibly comfortable shoe.  I’m fairly certain they have an insole sewn within the shoe already; they were the shoes I chiefly wore during my trip to Italy last summer.  They also happen to be the most affordable of the pack and have freaking spikes on the tongue and shaft, so double deal!

The reign of skull rings continues from 2011, and the six adornments below are excellent examples of designs and price variation.  Topshop and Dorothy Perkins’ high street versions are fashioned from some of the earlier 2010 McQueen pieces.

For a more minimalistic look, McQueen’s Twin, Enamel and Zoe + Morgan pieces.  Vivienne Westwood’s gaping skull ring is a beautiful, fresh design. After all, who wouldn’t want to put their finger through a golden mandible?

It’s been a whirlwind last few weeks for a number of reasons, but the demiCouture x Solestruck x Senso editorial is finally here. We have two superwedges worn during some acutely terrible Vancouver weather, but hey, we made do! It’s a small image collection; the next project will be expanded

Check out the images below! You’ll also be seeing these on Solestruck’s main page; I’ll notify ya’ll when that goes down.

Photographer: Victoria Potter
Styling: Victoria Poter
Hair: Natasha Quewezance
MUA: Jenn Renton
Models: Karli Stubbs, Adrienne Heron

Over the last couple months, I’ve been involved with the charity Village Threads out of Abbotsford (the ‘burb where I grew up).  The aim was to get kids some super cool indoor shoes at the Elementary school in the most marginalized catchment area of the city.  To put things into perspective, these kids’ parents could barely afford to buy their kids wearable outdoor shoes, while most of the time they were wearing beat up hand-me-downs.

I approached Native Shoes, who immediately volunteered to cover all of our needs.  One cannot communicate how amazing it was for Native to be so generous, and as you can see below, the kids were utterly thrilled to have not only a new pair of shoes, but colorful, fun, kid friendly designs.

While I was not able to be there in person when the shoes were given to the kids, I am told they were hugging the Village Threads volunteers, smiling ear to ear and even kissing the shoes!

On behalf of Village Threads, demiCouture and a whole lot of happy kids, thank you Native Shoes!!

Village Threads is a community based registered charity located in Abbotsford, BC.  Please contact me if you wish to have more information, or have new items you wish to donate.

As a follow up to the last Dakota Group sample sale [see review here], we now have the Dakota Group blow out sale, which spells 50% off wholesale pricing.

Items include Mackage (womens), Chinese Laundry, Matiko, Pour la Victoire, Kelsi Dagger, Faryl Robin, Matt & Nat, Young Fabulous & Broke and more!

WHEN: Friday January 28 10AM-6PM,  Saturday January 29, 11AM-4PM
WHERE: #102, 256 West 7th Ave [Googlemap]

I can’t say I like Jimmy Choo‘s womens collection, but Tamara Mellon has created some damn sleek men’s shoes for their debut.  These are some of the most amazing Chelsea boots and loafers I’ve seen; check out the collection preview photos below.

This is the sale you’ve been waiting for – 80% off some of Vancouver’s most talented designers, and all in one place.  Add some free drinks and snacks, and you have one super sale.

WHEN: Friday January 28 4-9PM, Saturday January 29 11-6PM
WHERE: Haiku Studios, #410, 207 W. Hastings (Dominion Building) [Googlemap]

A wee preview for the editorial I shot for Solestruck.

Shoes by Senso Diffusion, skirts from F As In Frank (Vancouver) and socks from my own collection.

If you enjoyed Ann-Sofie Back‘s collection with Swedish retailer Cheap Monday, chances are you’ll like her current collection with Topshop.  They run along the same duct tape visual line, only these are more of a tribal motif than her range for CM.

These are more of a refined look, with less of a rough and tumble DIY effect and is far more feminine due to the ruffling of the tribal fabric pieces.  demiCouture favorites are shown below; the black tulle leggings ($70), grey tulle sweatshirt ($110) and the black tulle long sleeve top ($90).

I’m digging the plaid sets, but not much else! Color intense cardis have been percolating around for seasons, but hats have certainly gotten wilder, plaid skirts appear shorter and knee socks are here to stay.  It’s day glo uniform girl slash eccentric showgirl; the quintessential Clueless channeling.

Keep in mind, most of these pieces are being showcased for lols only; do not seek out that horrible Deena & Ozzy clear plastic bag, or the denim flower hat – they are fugly.  I do approve of the J Crew cardi, Helene Berman zipper flower beret (for carefully dressed looks) and the cream Pelerine Heart knee socks from Topshop.  If you’re fancying the transparent Charlie button up, proceed with caution.. that is a bra showcase hazard ripe for the ‘do not’ lists.

If you’re looking to channel Mrs. Doubtfire during the spring wetfest, check out the granny-tastic clear plastic rain hat.

This beast by Maison Michel is available at The Outnet, and after discounting 65% off it’s still $33, which seems like a bit much for putting a bag over your head.  This hat is definitely one of the classier pieces I’ve ever seen at The Outnet, that’s for damn sure!

Beyond The Rack has a killer sale going on for tall boot fans everywhere; right now they have the tallest of the tall Report Signature boots on sale.

These are boots that retail for $415 to $520 per pair, and are now as low as $149! These are real leather boots, climbing up as far up the thigh as 27.5 inches!! That’s mega tall; these are truly intense pieces of footwear.  demiCouture favorites include the Kane, Winston, Steinway and Fitzgerald.

You need these deals; get access to Beyond The Rack now!!

While perusing Topshop’s new online arrivals (that’s one way how I fish for new content, see), and after clicking on the ‘knitted apricot tied hem top‘ I noticed something quite curious about the tie - it looks like a bit of a vagina.

I’m not even exaggerating; check out the image again (since you’ve probably been staring already) and see the, uh, awkward possible silhouette of hips and the lady-region.

I’m sure this sweater won’t hint at your goods IRL, but it sure looks like it gives an indication online. For $75US, you could give the public and bit of a nether sneak peek.  Who’s down?! (Hah!)

Hey, Topshop.. I want to see someone wearing this sweater to confirm suspicions!!

Colored leather trends have kept going this season, and for good reason – leather is hot, lasting and always a best choice.  Red leather bike jackets are also a key trend piece for both men and women; these jackets are made up of a mix of pieces, most which could be entirely appropriate for a boy looking for statement leather.

The cropped and more form fitting styles like Topshop’s premium, Swagga & Soul’s Isabelle and Balenciaga’s fur collar piece.  The longer torso pieces are perfect for androgynous looks; McQ’s large lapel, Joseph’s collarless Perfeto and Balmain’s new biker are all forward fitting, beautifully bold pieces of outerwear for the spring transitional season!

Everyone knows that Valentine’s Day is a cheap Hallmark trap for getting you to spend your dollars in the name of getting a little [extra?] poon from your partner in the name of some martyred saint that nobody knows anything about anymore. I think the concept of corporate Valentine’s Day is a load of crizzap, though in the name of the day I’ve decided to pull together a list of bits and bites styled around the theme of the color red.

Red is the color of  bleeding cuts, red roses, cherry tomatoes and all of the goodies below.  For a picture perfect Valentine’s day, go with red leather.  I’m not referring to your private bondage gear collection, but outerwear newly released from Balmain; it’s a red bike jacket, excellently long in the torso and as red as the sky in the morning after sailors take warning.  For those with less than a Balmain budget, Topshop has suede and leather versions for $290 and $300, respectively.

Red shoes have been thought of as overtly sexual, though this isn’t a bad thing; check out Opening Ceremony’s new lace up Stefania wedges and United Nude’s gloriously geometric Lo Res pump.  Both are intense footwear for two very different looks, and will steer you far from convention every time.

When it comes to accessories, Nana’s feather wig is a true mod statement for a party-ready look.  Unicorns are enjoying a surge of popularity, so Topshop’s Unicorn socks are a lovely cropped trouser peek-a-boo.  Oliver Peoples’ Wacks specs, vintage Butler & Wilson earrings, Tom Binns’ Red Queen necklace, Vivienne Westwood’s blangin’ fingerless gloves and Lulu Guinness’ lips clutch are all beautifully red pieces to celebrate the month of red.

Satchels are the bag love of my life for many reasons; they’re [usually] big, come in loads of different colors and styles while staying true to that satchel shape, they have buckles for a little bit of ‘tude, and most of them are non-gender specific.  Ever since the messenger bag took off into mainstream acceptance, nobody would bat an eye at a man rocking a PS1; hell, we’d be incredibly jealous! Come take a dive into a collection of sumptuous satchels, all color primed for the transitional season that is nearly upon us.

It’s lower priced lovelies first! We’ve got a variance of goodies; Topman’s school bag and Topshop’s washed push lock design, though for those prices we are talking polyurethane instead of leather.  ASOS’ grey perforated piece is an excellent price and is genuine skin.

From there we climb in price, but consider the following to be investment pieces.  Satchels are a classic look just like the pea or trench coat, and a basic design can last you decades if the piece is treated properly.  Abaco’s Gina and Ally Capellino’s Richard are both classic and have the ideal coloring for highlighting looks that are lighter toned, just in time for spring.

The big guns are in Mulberry’s Mila and Proenza Shouler’s PS1 crowd favorite.  Both of these are incredibly high quality leathers, classic in look (though the Mila has been created in a beautiful, more statement blue) and will truly stand the test of time.  The real finisher is having seen them IRL, or even better on someone else – you’ll never look away!

For the glitzy spenders, Miu Miu’s sequin satchel is flashy, yet not a risk due to its traditional shape.  It’s intense function rolled into one incredibly loud bag; would be all love to be so lucky as to snag one of these sparklers!

This ring was very recently on Net-A-Porter, but has been shuffled to their sister site The Outnet very recently.  Due to the site move, this fantastic ring has been reduced 65% off, down to $180.25 from $550.

It’s not a silver piece, either – this claw is plated with 22-karat white gold.  This is one intense piece, and would go marvelously with any springtime outfit the next season could toss at you.

Christian Louboutin sneakers aren’t exactly on the forefront of casual style success (aside from the spiked ones, of course), but the Supe Ball sneaks look like a regurgitated version of an American propaganda poster.

Just imagine, for nearly $600 US, you can have a pair of kicks that make you look like a Wonder Woman groupie (or Captain America, of course). Pass.

Apparently today is supposed to be the most depressing day of the year, so take a peek at this ancient snake oil cure for sagging face flesh – the ‘Face Harness for Milady’s Beauty’.

It looks like a bondage mask, in an era where everything concerning bedroom antics was ultra hush-hush.  Anyway, look on, have a lol and enjoy January 17th, 2011.

As an extension of the dom trend surfaced in 2010 and after finding Zana Bayne’s delicious harness designs, it appears that the harness has has moved into the high steet.  Topshop has just released two new leather harnesses; one black style with a double strap and a single brown design.

Even better than the styles are the price – both are $80 US each.  While with a price drop, with wide access brings another style into mainstream style.