Why are there no elegant wedges at low prices?

 

I normally avoid buying wedges.  Most of the ones I have seen are ugly, unflattering, casual, and/or outdated.  Too bad I actually need to wear either wedges or flats to avoid sinking into the grass and destroying my stilettos at an upcoming outdoor wedding.  Hopefully this spring, more affordable shoe designers will release shoes resembling but NOT infringing the trade dress of Serena Van Der Woodsen's Christian Louboutin Lady Patent Wedges (USD $660) and Blair Waldorf's dainty Miu Miu satin wedge sandals (USD $665).

Trade Dress Infringement: Jimmy Choo v. Forever 21

Dear Jimmy Choo,

Forever 21 recently infringed your trade dress by copying the product configuration of your black studded fishnet Karina booties.  The statutory test for trade dress infringement under Lanham Act §43 is satisfied, because the trade dress of the two products are confusingly similar (I was actually confused); the features of the trade dress - the studs, fishnet, and pattern - are primarily nonfunctional (because exclusive use of the features would not put competitors at a significant non-reputation related disadvantage, considering that the studs and fishnet pattern is not essential to the use or purpose of the shoe, and that the studs and fishnet pattern does not affect the cost or quality of the shoe); and the product configuration of the Karina booties have acquired distinctiveness through secondary meaning (because fashionistas including myself have come to associate the shape of the Karina design with the Jimmy Choo brand as the source of the product).  The use of this particular product configuration by Forever 21 confuses and misleads consumers familiar with high-end designer shoes such as Jimmy Choo, and it creates a substantial likelihood of confusion.  Below I have posted images comparing the $1095 Jimmy Choo black studded fishnet Karina booties and the $32.80 Forever 21 Glitterati pump.

Best wishes, if you choose to file a lawsuit against "forever-sued" Forever 21.

Sincerely,

Laura Ng
Editor-in-chief, Sartorial Editorial
2L (seeking summer law associate position), Georgia State University College of Law

  

Meet my new crush.

Alexander Wang, globally acclaimed fashion designer, savvy entrepreneur, 25 years old, winner of the prestigious 2008 CFDA/Vogue fashion fund.  Genius, gorgeous, and cool.  If I were a man, I would want to be him.

My boyfriend comments, "His hair looks like an Asian version of mine."

Me: "Do you think I pick men based on their hair?"

My boyfriend: "Don't you think?"

Chanel goes to Shanghai: Pre-fall 2010 Collection.

Here are some of my favorite looks from the show.  The show took place on a 280 foot long barge on the Huangpu River with the skyline of Shanghai in the background.  For the most part, I like Chanel's modernized approach in styling traditional Chinese garments.  Chanel's combination of tweed, silk embroidery, jewels, and leather takes the already-refined cheongsam to an edgy new level of sophistication by integrating unexpected Western parts (the tweeds and leathers) into Chinese-inspired apparel.

       

I will admit that I hate Chanel's use of the coolie hat in its fashion show.  Why is a French couture fashion house embracing this symbol of abject rural poverty?  The coolie hat ruined some otherwise chic outfits in Chanel's pre-fall 2010 runway show.  For reference, see image to the left.


Sybaritic note to self: I need the red sequined Chanel purse.

Spotted

Kate Hudson, seen on December 3, 2009, wearing my dream wedding gown designed by Versace. ♥

Blog Shop Alert

Check out my friend lilmissB's new blog boutique!  Click here for some great deals on authentic designer shoes!

First Asian Model To Ever Appear in Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Liu Wen is Chinese, 5'10," and an aspiring teacher who also happened to walk the runways in the fashion shows of top designers such as Dolce & Gabbana, Alexander McQueen, Alexander Wang, Chloe, Lanvin, and Anna Sui.  This 21 year old Chinese supermodel actually looks her age, unlike many unbelievably prepubescent-looking Chinese models.  Below, she is rocking her complicated metal lingerie for Victoria's Secret notwithstanding the tackiness of the sheet metal design or the failed attempt by VS to produce alluring futuristic underthings.

I think her makeup looks better in the following photoshoot entitled "Across the River" with art direction, styling, and costume design by Sean Kunjambu.

Editing my wardrobe

I set up a new blog to sell both designer and high street items from my personal wardrobe.  Click here to check it out.  So far, there are only Louboutins on sale in my blog-shop, but the Paypal "BUY NOW" button is up and running!  I will add approximately forty more gently-used items to the shop around Christmas.

My Favorite Bridal Gowns

Monique Lhuillier

I love everything about this 1920s-inspired dress - the high neckline topping off a Victorian lace bodice, the youthful sash, and the flowing mermaid skirt.  This design is a refreshing and girlish departure from the ubiquitous, overtly sexy, and often unflattering strapless wedding dresses that seem to be the only option at many bridal shops.  Unfortunately I am not sure whether this dress even exists, because Monique Lhuillier submitted the design as a potential wedding dress for the character, Bella Swan, of the Twilight film series.

Emanuel Ungaro

The draping is sublime.  I am attracted to the simple elegance and avant-garde cut of this bridal gown.

Marchesa: Resort 2010

Two words: Greek goddess. 

Christian Dior: Spring 2009 Couture
A Disney princess would wear this, as would I.

Versace: 2009 Atelier
If I am in the mood to party like a rock star at my wedding . . . 

I would like the back of the last Versace dress more if there were (1) a zipper instead of a lace-up; and (2) no cut-out.

Bringing Sexy Back to the White House

When was the last time you saw a First Lady of the United States wear something nearly as unabashedly sexy as the gown that Michelle Obama wore to the first state dinner of President Obama's administration?  I admire her confidence and style in addition to her sharp intellect.

President Obama is debonair as per usual.

Lady Gaga rocking in Alexander McQueen

Check out her new Bad Romance music video.  Lady Gaga moves with amazing grace in those intricate lobster claw shoes.

Her whole outfit is from Alexander McQueen's spring 2010 collection.  I would love to borrow this ensemble from Lady Gaga, especially because she is only an inch or two taller than me.

From the runway (below):
 

Christian Louboutin for Barbie

Forget the shoes.  I want Barbie's pink dress!  And Monsieur Louboutin, while I ardently admire the shoes you produce for women, I will stand by my opinion that a pink suit would flatter no man other than Chuck Bass.

Will female superheroes follow Barbie's lead on wearing fierce spike-heeled Louboutins?

Showgirls originally inspired Monsieur Louboutin to design shoes for women.

Only supermodels like Barbie get to pose with two elephants and Christian Louboutin (the man and the shoes).

Barbie, I hope you're not thinking about having an affair with your gardener, even if he does create luxury shoes.

Barbie wears leopard print boots with ease and sophistication.

All images in this post (c) 2009 Mattel

Peacock

My Matthew Williamson dress sold on eBay!  I will miss it very much.  I decided to wear it for 2 minutes today before letting it go.

Paint it blue: Gianni Bini shoes

I decided to spice up the soles of my silver glitter Gianni Bini shoes with iridescent blue-purple nail polish (Nicole by OPI: It's Up to You).  I used up half a bottle of the nail polish for this paint job alone.  Below are the "before" and "after" pictures. [For reference, these shoes cost $17 (reduced from their original price of $75), and the OPI nail polish $7.56.]