By Claudi Lynch, Artist and creator of ShoeStories™

JoAnne Bedient, one of Southwest Florida’s premier clay artists, blends realism and fantasy to create inventive raku shoes. She has always preferred hand-building pieces from clay instead of using a potter’s wheel, but discovering raku firing revolutionized her work.

What’s raku? It’s a Japanese ceramic firing technique that involves removing red-hot pieces from the kiln and placing them in combustible material like paper or straw. Smoke permeates the clay and glazes, creating luster, crackle patterns, and richly textured colors. Each firing produces unique results, and the continual experimentation of this method inspires the artist’s dramatic, whimsical and graceful works.

Bedient’s work can be found in juried shows as well as galleries around the United States. Notable exhibitions include the Really Big Shoe Show in St. Louis and a Washington DC exhibit for the 2000 presidential inauguration.

I stumbled upon JoAnne’s footwork at the Tower Gallery on Sanibel Island, FL a few weeks ago and immediately fell in love with it. I had to know more.

Artist JoAnne Bedient

CL: Why a shoe? I heard a rumor about a red patent leather shoe your daughter bought in a vintage store, but what about it captured your imagination?

JB: I’ve always liked “different” shoes but had not thought of making shoes out of clay until my daughter bought a pair of red patent leather shoes from a vintage store while she was in college. I sat and admired the shoes and realized that the shine of the patent leather reminded me of my red glaze that I use in my raku. I’ve always looked at things around me and thought how to make them out of clay (even if I had no intention to do so!) So, I planned out the construction of a shoe and made my first one. Then I researched shoes down through history and made lots of realistic ones; some you really had to tap on to find out that they were ceramic. Someone asked me to do a show and I bravely asked if it could be shoes. That show was so well received! I had no idea what to think beforehand, but soon found out just how many shoe lovers there are and of course, that fed my enthusiasm for new ideas and making them. After I got the realistic ones out of my system, I let my imagination go on to the more whimsical ones. Shoes are little sculptures and can be anything, any idea, especially since you can’t really wear my creations!

Dressed To A Tee

CL: What sparks you to create a new shoe?

JB: Sometimes it is from a theme of a show I wish to enter, sometimes from a texture I see, but most often it is from an idea from someone who wants a special gift made. My golf shoe Dressed to a Tee (above) came from a woman who wanted a gift for her mother-in-law who loved to play golf, loved shoes, and had everything she could ever want already. My Fashion Emergency Shoe (below) is an old Cadillac ambulance. A woman wanted a shoe for her sister; their father had been in the shoe business and now her sister owned an ambulance business. My Birthday Boot is from a woman wanting a birthday shoe for her friend’s 50th birthday; because we are Wonder Woman by the time we turn fifty it just seemed appropriate. My Dance by the Light of the Moon (below) shoe came about from a client who is a quilting artist. She was divorced when her children were small and she had to do any creative work at night — by the light of the moon.

Fashion Emergency

CL: You use a lot of puns in your titles. Does the pun ever spark the shoe? My favorite is your Gogh Gogh Boot; it’s like an aural intentional typo.

JB: Sometimes the pun comes first as in the Gogh Gogh Boot. Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” is one of my favorite paintings and I had used that theme in other pieces. Growing up, when I was in about the fourth grade, Go Go Boots were popular. I didn’t have any, but some friends did. Now I have my own “Gogh Goghs”! Most times the pun comes later. My husband, who is a man of few words (usually) and a very punny sense of humor, comes up with many of the titles.

CL: The raku process seems a little risky. Is it? Does a shoe ever explode in mid-process? Do you start it over again or take it as a sign and move on?

JB: Because I have been working in clay for so many years, I don’t lose too many in the process of making or the first firing, but occasionally I do during a raku glaze firing, due to my own clumsiness. In raku firings, the pieces are lifted out of the kiln while they are red hot and glowing using tongs that are about four feet long. Every once in a while I don’t have a good hold on the piece and drop it. If I’ve liked my idea, I start over…

Dance By the Light of the Moon

CL: Are there limitations in terms of detail when working with raku or with clay in general? Your work has a very chunky, sturdy feel that works well with the bright colors and shapes; is that an engineering thing or an aesthetic choice?

JB: Raku is a low fire process and the clay body is somewhat more fragile than other higher fired clay bodies such as stoneware; therefore I am sometimes limited on having anything thin sticking out from the shoe or a strap that is just dangling. I have to plan so that anything more fragile is attached to the shoe to stabilize it. That has at times made me have to be more creative by using feathers, wire or some other material as an addition to carry out my idea.

CL: Are these shoes one of a kind, or do you ever remake the same shoe because it’s a good seller?

JB: All of my shoes are originals of a sort. Each is hand built but I do remake some of the more popular ones. Each will be a tiny bit different because I don’t use patterns or molds. I have galleries requesting a certain shoe that a customer saw and it was sold when they came back for it, so I remake as closely as I can for them.

CL: Do you ever combine your categories, say, a teapot shoe or a — wait for it — pear of shoes?

JB: I do sometimes combine my categories, and I DO have a Pear of Shoes!  I also just did a small Dysfunctional Teapot with a pear on it, but I have not done a teapot shoe yet…have not come up with a worthy idea…gotta be a good one if it’s going to be a shoe — Maybe you just challenged me!

Pear of Shoes

CL: Carrie Bradshaw said, “This is not a good economy in which to be whipped cream.” What are your strategies for staying a working artist at this time in history?

JB: My favorite quote, which is from Picasso, answers that best: “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” People still need and want something that makes them smile.

CL: Which real shoes in your own closet are your favorites? Why?

JB: My closet does not look like Carrie Bradshaw’s! I am a 57-year-old artist living in Florida, and comfort plays a bigger part in my style than it used to. I do still love something a little different. My favorite shoes right now are a thin strappy zebra-striped sandal with a kitten heel and silver beads on the top. The other day, my husband (whom I mentioned is a man of few words) looked down at my feet and used a word I don’t remember ever hearing from him. He said, “Those are cute shoes!”. They became my favorites, partly because they make me smile at that word “cute” coming from him about a pair of shoes.

See JoAnne Bedient’s shoes at Tower Gallery, Sanibel Island, FL; Raiford Gallery, Roswell, GA; River Gallery, Chattanooga, TN; Grand Bohemian Gallery, Savannah, GA; Art@830, Key West, FL; and Armadillo, Ltd., Avalon, NJ; and online at www.jbedient.com.

Women’s footwear designers are breaking out of the shoe box and giving us COLOR this season!   Not just one, but BLOCKS of color!!  This is definitely a case for “buy the shoes, then the outfit to go with them” theory of shoe shopping.  But, hey … shuzsociety not here to preach to the choir now are we?  The point is, this is a perfect time to build a fun look with rock’n colorBLOCK footwear!

Jimmy Choo Platform Sandal:  $1,009.90 on sale (was $1,669) – Available at Nordstrom.com
BUY NOW

Fendi Colorblock Grosgrain Sandal

Fendi Colorblock Grosgrain Sandal:  $439.90 on sale (was $740) – Available at Nordstrom.com
BUY NOW

Elizabeth and James-Eden Sandal

Elizabeth and James – Eden Sandal:  $209.90 on sale (was $350) – Available at Nordstrom.com
BUY NOW

Rough Justice Jolie Stiletto Pump

Rough Justice Jolie Stiletto Pump:  $179.90 – Available at RoughJustice.com
BUY NOW

In addition to some of our favorites above, check out the June 2011 shuzscopes for more trendy colorblock footwear …. there’s something for every shoe budget!

Astrologer Maria DeSimone, CEO of InsightfulAstrology.com, and shuzsociety team up to provide shoe lovers with the June, 2011, shuzscopes — your personal horoscope and footwear forecast.  Maria’s slogan is “grow intro your soul” and shuzsociety believes you can “grow from your soles” …. so shoe lover’s benefit from the empowering monthly shuzscopes.

This month, build your fashion foundation on the hot trend in women’s footwear … COLORBLOCK shoes!  Color is the spice of life, so now’s your time to live’n things up a bit.  And we all know “it starts with the shoes.”

ColorBLOCK me … I’m go’n in for the purchase!  See something you love?  Simply click “BUY NOW” to be connected to one of our favorite online footwear retailer partners.

Oh, and don’t forget to watch your “Weekly Forecast” videos by Maria at insightfulastrology.com.  Fascinating info!!!

GEMINI
May 21 – June 21
Have you ever felt like you have a guardian angel watching over you? Well, if so, you’re about to enjoy an entire year of special cosmic protection. Jupiter, the planet of blessings, will enter the part of your chart that rules hidden treasures.  When you really need that extra dose of help you can count on it being there.
Footwear forecast for Gemini: 
 Penny Loves Kenny “Tetra” Orange Fuschia.

Penny Loves Kenny "Tetra" Orange Fuschia

$
89.99 – Available at heels.com
BUY NOW

CANCER
June 22 – July 22
The right connections can take you far and now you’ll begin to meet people with major clout. Be sure to network and accept invitations to any dinner parties or events. Friends “with benefits” will seem to appear everywhere you turn. You won’t just have this energy on your side for a month – it’ll be available for the next year. Amazing!
Footwear forecast for Cancer: Brian Atwood Studded Multicolor Cutout Pump.

Brian Atwood Studded Multicolor Cutout Pump

$592 on sale (originally $
790) – Available at NeimanMarcus.com
BUY NOW

LEO
July 23 – August 22
Your career is officially on fire! Opportunities abound for you and there not going to stop anytime soon. This month launches a remarkable one year cosmic “good luck” influence that will affect you in professional matters. Now is your time to grab the brass ring…it’s yours!
Footwear forecast for Leo:  Stuart Weitzman “Bradford” Platform Sandal Heel.

Stuart Weitzman "Bradford" Platform Sandal Heel

$
375 – Available at Nordstrom.com
BUY NOW

VIRGO
August 23 – September 22
If you’re an aspiring writer, you might land a book deal. And if you’ve been thinking about going back to school or taking a trip abroad then stop thinking and go for it! The cosmic forces that begin this month and last for an entire year want you to broaden your horizons and spread your wisdom. Go for it!
Footwear forecast for Virgo: 
 Nine West “Stylin” Sandal.

Nine West "Stylin" Sandal

$88.95 – Available at Nordstrom
BUY NOW

LIBRA
September 23 – October 22
You might have extensive luck that begins this month regarding joint financial matters. If you’re hoping to secure venture capital, a line of credit or loan, it’ll be easier than ever to achieve. In fact, you might also hear news about an inheritance coming your way. Yes – money matters look fabulous!
Footwear forecast for Libra: Fendi Color Block Platform Slingback Sandal.

Fendi Color Block Platform Slingback Sandals

$625.99 on sale (originally $
895) – Available at Saks.com
BUY NOW

SCORPIO
October 23 – November 21

Any alliance you form now will be especially beneficial to you. If you’ve been considering hiring an agent, lawyer, publicist or taking on a new business partner, the universe has you covered. In fact, this month begins an entire years’ worth of brilliant luck concerning all of your closest relationships. Excellent!
Footwear forecast for Scorpio:  Miu Miu Tri-color Spectator Pumps.

Miu Miu Tri-color Spectator Pumps

$625.99 on sale (originally $
895) – Available at Saks.com
BUY NOW

SAGITTARIUS
November 21 – December 21

If you’re looking for a second job or on the hunt for extra freelance work, expect a flood of prospects. In fact, you might have so many options you’ll need to turn down some of them! Enjoy this abundance while it lasts. It begins this month but will affect you for an entire year. Wow!
Footwear forecast for Sagittarius:   Diane von Furstenberg “Venus” High Heel Sandals.

Diane von Furstenberg Venus High Heel Sandals

$
335 – Available at shopbop.com
BUY NOW

CAPRICORN
December 22 – January 19

Romance is in the air! If you’re single then you won’t be alone for much longer. A once in twelve year “lucky” cycle is about to begin this month in the part of your chart that rules true love! If you’re attached you might decide to have a baby. Either way, your middle name has officially become “fun!”
Footwear forecast for Capricorn:  Pierre Hardy Striped Wedge.

Pierre Hardy Striped Wedge

$
529.00 on sale (originally $885) – Available at Barneys.com
BUY NOW

AQUARIUS
January 20 – February 18

A move or major home makeover might be in your near future. In fact, things will start to develop this month! You might decide to hire contractors or suddenly walk past your “dream home” and make a bid! The prospects for you to upsize in some way are strong now. You’ll live larger than life!
Footwear forecast for Aquarius:  L.A.M.B. “Eben Raffia” Platform Sandals.

L.A.M.B. "Eben Raffia" Platform Sandals

$
265 – Available at shopbop.com
BUY NOW

PISCES
February 19 – March 20
You might hear good news this month from a sibling or cousin. In fact, it could be spectacular! You’ll not only be thrilled for your loved one, but in some way, his or her news could bring you benefits as well. In addition, you might decide to take a weekend trip that turns out to be a blast.
Footwear forecast for Pisces: Jessica Simpson “Bendie-DP” Purple.

Jessica Simpson Bendie-DP Purple

$
89.99 – Available at heels.com
BUY NOW

ARIES
March 21 – April 19
The cosmic sky just handed you a money tree. Well…almost. Now that lucky Jupiter has entered your income sector for the next year however, you truly have the most “abundance” potential out of all the signs. NOW is the time to market a new talent or ability. It will pay off!
Footwear forecast for Aries:  Rough Justice Katie Multi Panel High Platform Sandal.

Rough Justice katie multi panel high platform sandal

$
249.90 – Available at RoughJustice.com
BUY NOW

TAURUS
April 20 – May 20

You’re officially the cosmic favorite from now until next year. That’s because Jupiter, the planet of luck and abundance, will enter your sign this month for a rare once in twelve year visit. All new personal endeavors and relationships started now will succeed beyond your wildest expectations. Just wait and see.
Footwear forecast for Taurus: Marc by Marc Jacobs Canvas Wedge Oxfords.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Canvas Wedge Oxfords

$290
 – Available at shopbop.com
BUY NOW

shuzsociety has made it easy for you to shop for shoes through our favorite online footwear retailers.  Click on the shopping guide to shop by designer/brand, styles or through one of our many online footwear retail partners.

]]> http://shuzsociety.com/june-2011-shuzscopes-colorblock-me/feed/ 0 http://shuzsociety.com/new-shoes-contemporary-footwear-design-book/ http://shuzsociety.com/new-shoes-contemporary-footwear-design-book/#comments Sun, 05 Jun 2011 14:44:34 +0000 cinder http://www.shuzsociety.com/?p=18177

Perfect book for passionate shoe lovers!

Need the perfect gift for a shoe lover?  Or a display for your table to convey your passion for footwear?  Then you will love New Shoes – Contemporary Footwear Design by Sue Huey and Rebecca Proctor.  Published by Laurence King, New Shoes surveys the creations of the most innovative designers of footwear working today.

More than any other fashion accessory, shoes inspire envy and greed.  Objects of beauty and desire, shoes epitomize exquisite craftsmanship.  They are sensual fetish objects, and they announce our personal style.  Who cares that we have only two feet — we want more new shoes.

"My shoes are more like design objects rather than footwear," says Finnish designer Julia Lundsten who launched her label Finsk in 2005.

This book is a tribute to the 25 intriguing visionaries who are steering the future of designer footwear.  Whether an art form or a fashion statement, all the shoes featured in the book are distinctive and beautiful creations redefining the citting edge.  Profiles include a synopsis and brief history, with photographs and sometimes sketches.  Represented are women’s and men’s shoes, sandals, and boots, illustrating the unique marriage between design and craftsmansip found in every great shoe.

“I see shoes as a form of great architecture.” ~ Rem D. Koolhass

“My designs reference Amercan trailer culture.  50’s pin-ups, and burlesque performers.”
~  Jennifer Osterhoudt

“Ideally, each idea conveys an emotion.” ~ Tiffany Tuttle

"I'm not into pure design." ~ Bruno Frisoni

“It’s all about the silhouettes.” ~ Nicholas Kirkwood

“Season after season I travel through the history of my region.” ~ Guillaume Hinfray

“I love clean lines and sculptural shapes.” ~ Pierre Hardy

"I want my shoes to be beautiful and comfortable," noted Chie Mihara who launched her own label in 2001.

Sue Huey is Senior Footwear and Accessories Editor of Worth Global Style Network. She previously worked as a footwear and accessories designer for a leading international fashion house. She is also the author of Bags.

Rebecca Proctor is a fashion and design journalist. She is also author of 1000 Eco Designs and Where to Find Them.

Photographer: Esther Teichmann

Alexa Chung has become a style icon in her own right and with a rocker boyfriend to boot; she is the envy of many girls. Famously Mulberry named a bag after her which became the ‘It’ bag of last season. Her style mixes vintage, high street and designer.  A good thing about her style though is that it is easy to emulate with alternatives popping up all over the high street after they have been spotted on her.

Her look here is fairly casual but she still manages to look stylish. Alexa tends to opt for fairly expensive shoes, with one of her favourite designers being Chanel. Women’s designer shoes can be pricey but the plus point is that they last you much longer than any bought on the high street, as long as you look after them. Here Alexa wears a simple pair of ballet pumps; which seem to be on trend season after season. These simple pumps from Daniel Footwear are a great match. Ballet pumps can be dressed up or down, on this occasion Alexa has chosen to pair them with some cut off denim shorts. These ones from Topshop are a perfect match for the ones Alexa is wearing. If you want a cheaper alternative however you could cut off some old jeans to make them into shorts.

Here Alexa has chosen to show support for her boyfriend by wearing an Artic Monkeys tour t-shirt. You can pair your shorts with any band t-shirt however for a rock and roll vibe. This one featuring the Rolling Stones lick would do the trick. If you want to complete that rock star look don’t forget your sunglasses. These ones from Rayban are a firm favourite with the stars but you can pick similar ones up in places like H&M.

Alexa is carrying a simple satchel style handbag which has been replicated many times by a number of different designers and designers for the high street. There are a number of good places to pick up a bag of this style but the best place would be in a vintage shop, you can often get a great deal on them too.

Auri Womens Shoes

Auri Footwear designers create products based partly on footwear industry trend information, but highly supplemented by automotive influences including visiting luxury and exotic automotive showrooms to absorb a differing design perspective based on a more refined global vision of form and function.

Each new styling exercise is initially hand rendered to fit within a set of key technical parameters. This is the critical foundation to the entire design process.

Auri’s design process involves two steps; fashion design and technological design.  When the silhouettes are completed in prototype form, the technical suspension and engineered material components that were designed and fabricated drop into place prior to final refinement & evaluation procedures.

The end result, is an extremely fashionable silhouette, that has technical innovations, hidden and all but imperceptible to even the most discerning of fashionistas.

Auri’s leadership has worked within the design, development and process engineering aspects for numerous high tech firms including Apple computers, Hewlett Packard and IBM.  Auri utilizes this experience to set parallel development timeframes for the design of both the engineered technical aspects, as well as the designed stylistic interpretations.

This streamlined parallel process allows Auri to bring in seasonal and highly complex collections in advance of its competitors, in order to allow the necessary time to test, refine and perfect the final product for the ultimate fusion of fashion and function.

Auri presents trend-right, ultra stylish silhouettes, crafted from rich Italian leathers and hand stitched details, combined with performance engineering from the latest in design and material innovations.

This ground breaking Laguna Beach-based fashion lab delivers NASA grade materials, performance technologies, with passionate and ultra tasteful style.

These are fashion-forward products that, for the first time, break the mold of equating beautiful shoes with an uncomfortable experience.

Buttery-soft interiors with ultra-plush memory foam deliver instant comfort, no break-in required. Active suspension systems, utilizing highly effective impact protection from new hybrid foam technologies, soften the step and make walking a beautiful thing. Temperature regulating linings by Outlast® keep feet comfortable, cool and dry all day long. Removable multi-density anatomical foot-beds provide structural support and superior insulation from the harsh pavement beneath.

Auri Footwear "Jude" Cut-out Sandal

Jude – $160 … Available at piperlime.com

Auri Footwear "Layla" Sandal in Mango

Layla – $165 …. Available at piperlime.com

Auri Footwear "Cecilia" Wedge

Cecilia – $175 … Available at piperlime.com

Auri Footwear "Angie" Platform Sandal

Angie – $180 … Available at piperlime.com

Auri Footwear "Jamie" in Bronze Gator

Jamie – $120 … Available at piperlime.com

LOOK GOOD. FEEL GOOD. always AURI

We all have a little untamed beast in us, so step out in a pair of leopard shoes in May.  Leopard print never goes out of style and women’s footwear designers keep coming up with impressive ways to allow us to prove that we are “wild at heart!”

Astrologer Maria DeSimone and shuzsociety provide shoe lovers with your May, 2011, shuzscopes — your personal horoscope and footwear forecast.  See something you love?  Simply click “BUY NOW” to be connected with one of our favorite online footwear retailer partners.

Treat yourself to more about you and watch your “Weekly Forecast” videos by Maria at insightfulastrology.com.

May 2011 shuzscopes & Footwear Forecast
Leopard Shoes For the Wild At Heart

TAURUS
April 20 – May 20

An amazing personal project can start now with great success potential. Be sure to put your best foot forward this month because you’ll have a chance to seize more than one opportunity. Later in the month, a relationship issue becomes the key focus. It might be time to say goodbye to an outworn business or personal alliance.

Footwear forecast for Taurus:  Alice + Olivia Animal Print Canvas Wedge Sandals

Alice + Olivia Animal Print Canvas Wedge Sandals

$245 – Available at saks.com
BUY NOW

GEMINI
May 21 – June 21

You’ll have a month focused on the mind/body connection. This will be a great time to let go of negative health habits and begin new, positive ones that will help you align yourself back to your prime potential. You might decide you need more privacy than usual. Honor this and realize it’s a crucial way to feed your soul.

Footwear forecast for Gemini:  L.A.M.B. Pounce

L.A.M.B. Pounce

$254.99 on sale (originally $325) – Available at piperlime.com
BUY NOW

CANCER
June 22 – July 22

Your social life will be especially busy this month. You might have an opportunity to join a new club or organization – one that will allow you to meet new and exciting acquaintances. It’ll be a great time to initiate a media presentation or to launch a new website if you’ve been thinking of doing so.

Footwear forecast for Cancer:  Tory Burch Julianne Leopard Wedges

Tory Burch Julianne Leopard Wedges

$227.50 on sale (originally $295) – Available at shopbop.com
BUY NOW

LEO
July 23 – August 22

Your professional life is about to hit an all-time high! A new opportunity to shine in the eyes of authority figures will present itself and you’ll definitely want to take advantage. Realize that this is just the beginning of a major lucky streak for you in career matters. You might also finalize a real estate deal. If so, you’ll be glad it’s over.

Footwear forecast for Leo:  Pedro Garcia Giza Leopard-print Calf hair Ballerina Flats

Pedro Garcia Giza Leopard-print Calf hair Ballerina Flats

$460 – Available at Net-a-Porter.com
BUY NOW

VIRGO
August 23 – September 22

Don’t be surprised if you find yourself planning an overseas trip this month. Even if you’re not in the travel mindset just yet, an opportunity might present itself that’s too good to pass up. Later in the month you’ll finalize a major contractual agreement. This negotiation has been particularly challenging for you. Whew…it’s done!

Footwear forecast for Virgo:  Angeleigh Anastasio Lilla Leopard Peep Toe Pump

Angeleigh Anastasio Lilla Leopard Peep Toe Pump

$495 – Available at AngeleighAnastaasio.com
BUY NOW

LIBRA
September 23 – October 22

You’ll spend the month intensely focused on your finances. Thankfully, things are looking up for you and as far as joint money is concerned – it’ll only get better. You might consolidate loans or other debt this month or make another major decision concerning any debt you’ve got. You’re on the right track!

Footwear forecast for Libra:  Stuart Weitzman XRAY Platform Wedge Espadrille

Stuart Weitzman XRAY Platform Wedge Espadrille

$318.40 on sale (originally $398) – Available at endless.com
BUY NOW

SCORPIO
October 23 – November 21

A new business alliance could be exactly what you’re looking for to help propel your career in an exciting new direction. This month, weigh your options carefully but know that if such a prospect comes your way, it’s likely to be positive. You’re ready to go “out with the old and in with the new” on so many levels.

Footwear forecast for Scorpio:  Ash Eloise Leopard Haircalf Pumps

Ash Eloise Leopard Haircalf Pumps

$185 – Available at shopbop.com
BUY NOW

SAGITTARIUS
November 21 – December 21

If you’re hoping to find a new job or land a plum freelance assignment, you’re in luck! It’ll be easy as pie to send out your resume and interview this month because opportunities will abound. If you’ve been putting off routine doctor’s visits it’s time to get it together. You owe it to yourself to make health a priority.

Footwear forecast for Sagittarius:  Rebecca Minkoff Strut Haircalf Pumps

Rebecca Minkoff Strut Haircalf Pumps

$315 – Available at shopbop.com
BUY NOW

CAPRICORN
December 22 – January 19

Romance is in the air! If single, you’ll have a glorious opportunity to meet someone new and enticing. You’ll want to have fun and you, more than any other sign, deserve it! You’re always so business oriented and serious. Well now the universe is sending you a clear message to lighten up and live out loud!

Footwear forecast for Capricorn:  Sam Edelman Womens Grenna Ankle Strap Leopard

Sam Edelman Womens Grenna Ankle Strap Leopard

$100 – Available at endless.com
BUY NOW

AQUARIUS
January 20 – February 18

Domestic matters will take your full attention. You’ll begin a home related project having to do with decorating or a home renovation. It could also be something you decide to do with a relative and if so, working together will bring you closer. Authority figures in the family might make you emotional. Keep it all in perspective.

Footwear forecast for Aquarius:  Rough Justice Lake 2-Leopard

Rough Justice Lake 2-Leopard

$209.95 – Available at heels.com
BUY NOW

PISCES
February 19 – March 20
If you’re in the writing industry, you might receive a spectacular opportunity this month. It’ll also be a great time to take a weekend getaway. A road trip with siblings or to visit them will be particularly enjoyable for you now. Later in the month you might be focused on a legal matter. Things could finally be resolved.

Footwear forecast for Pisces:  Steven Madee Haircalf Tuxedo Flats

Steven Madee Haircalf Tuxedo Flats

$120 – Available at shopbop.com
BUY NOW

ARIES
March 21 – April 19
If there’s such a thing as a money tree, you’re planting one. It’ll be just the beginning of a whirlwind positive shift in finances for you. Budget changes are happening now but by June you’re ready to enjoy a spectacular cash influx. What happens this month is only a taste of the goodness in store.

Footwear forecast for Aries:  Giuseppe Zanotti Pointy Toe Haircalf Pumps

Giuseppe Zanotti Pointy Toe Haircalf Pumps

$595 – Available at shopbop.com
BUY NOW

shuzsociety has made it easy for you to shop for shoes through our favorite online footwear retailers.  Shop by designer/brand, trend or through one of our many online footwear retail partners.

x

The Katie Long Shoes website is truly one of a kind.  Put together by a fellow large-footed female, the retail website has been an absolute lifesaver for women with slightly bigger feet.  For anyone size 8 and above, shopping around for footwear that actually looks half decent is an absolute nightmare and the world of pretty, feminine shoes is as out of reach as planet Mars!  But not anymore!  Katie Long Shoes offers women with big tootsies the ultimate solution to ugly high street footwear.

Some of the world’s most beautiful women including Tyra Banks, Cindy Crawford Uma Thurman, Meg Ryan and Nicole Kidman have big feet, so why shouldn’t larger shoes be just as beautiful as petite footwear?   Katie didn’t understand why grands pieds were so disconnected from fashion, so her mission was to seek out the most gorgeous shoes in the world and share them with women with the same problem.  The KLS website now offers a huge collection of sexy stilettos for party wear, trendy summer wedges, comfortable yet stylish flats to elegant sandals that ooze femininity in every single way.  The available brands include JB Martin, Carmen Poveda, Mer du Sud and Katie’s very own shoe brand, KLS.

The KLS website makes the most hard to find footwear gems accessible to women who weren’t born with the luxury of dainty toes, offering size 8 ladies shoes, size 9 ladies shoes, size 10 shoes and above.   You will even find large wedding shoes, folding shoes and wide fit shoes.  From looking at the pretty product range, it’s clear that feet of all shapes and sizes are welcome and many large shoe shoppers never look back once they discover Katie Long Shoes.

To find out more about Katie and her beautiful large shoes for women, visit the website: www.katielongshoes.co.uk/.

Naya was born from the belief that shoes should be beautiful on your feet, soft on your step and gentle on the environment. Because you should never have to choose between what looks good, what feels good and what is good for you and for the earth.

Naya means renewal and this inspires and guides us in everything we do to create shoes that:

Renew your spirit with expressive, feminine style
Renew your body with exceptionally soft comfort
Renew the earth with environmentally-thoughtful designs
You will wear Naya because they are beautiful, and you will love them because they are good for your body, spirit and the earth.

Naya Shoes Zig Zag Collection

The perfect blend of relaxed style and natural beauty.  Stitching accents add texture and interest to casual looks.   Effortless and chic.

Naya Shoes Criss Cross Collection

Beautiful and rich, hand-burnished leathers compliment bold prints and neutral palettes.  Woven straps add visual interest to simple style.  Versatile and natural.

To learn more about Naya Shoes, visit their web site at NayaShoes.com.  Shop Naya Shoes at