Stuart Weitzman's "Tijuana" platform

Taraji P. Henson wore her “Tijuana” platforms at Design Cares’ Kaleidoscope of Dreams event to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Taraji P. Henson ~ WireImage

Emma Roberts wore her platforms at the recent New Museum event in NY.

Emma Roberts ~ Patrick McMullan

Vanessa Williams wore hers at the recent Gotham magazine event.

Vanessa Williams ~ Wire Image

Bettye Muller, Designer and Creator of Bettye Muller Designs

shuzsociety had the chance to catch up with the creative Bettye Muller to allow us a peek into her interesting life. Always with a smile on her face, Bettye’s demeanor and positive outlook mirrors her collections.

shuzsociety: What is your design philosophy?
Bettye: Fun, easy dress-sport. My collection is classic with a twist, and lots of colors and fabrics.

shuzsociety: What are you most enthusiastic about for spring 2009?
Bettye:Espadrilles and lots of fun sport casuals.

shuzsociety: Tell us about your fall 2009 collection. What were your inspirations?
Bettye: Kim Basinger 80’s – Ozbek, Gigli, Hamnett Montana, Frances Bacon, Rothko, opulent colors, high up front, and strappy.

shuzsociety: Which celebrity or political figure do you envision wearing your shoes?
Bettye: Michelle Obama

shuzsociety: Are you supporting a specific charity or cause?
Bettye: Yes … Shoe Frenzy, QVC Shoes on Sale and Shoes & Champagne

shuzsociety: What are you reading right now?
Bettye: “Bad Girls Go Everywhere: The Life of Helen Gurley Brown” by Jennifer Scanlon.

shuzsociety: What is YOUR personal favorite pair of shoes?
Bettye: That’s a tough call…I have so many favorites!

shuzsociety: How do you pack your shoes for travel? Tips?
Bettye: I pack my shoes in plastic bags from Uline. They make the perfect size!

shuzsociety: What is your favorite vacation spot? And why!
Bettye: Japan. It has the very best shopping and has the very best saunas and spas.

With a collection of vintage designer shoes that once exceeded 500 pairs, Bettye Muller is what you might call a connoisseur- though, she didn’t always realize footwear was her specialty. Instead, the New York native spent her early years as a competitive ice skater and ice skating instructor, graphic designer, shoe model and soap opera actress before she created her first small collection of shoes while living in London in the 1980s.

When she returned to the States, Bettye designed shoes for labels including L’Emporio, Henri Bendel, Marc Jacobs for Perry Ellis and Linda Allard for Ellen Tracy before taking her professional pursuits to Miami, Florida. She eventually returned home to New York City and in 1998 started her own label with just a handful of styles.

Today, her 60-piece collection is informed by her love of luxurious fabrics as well as experiences living abroad in England and Italy and travels to the Far East, and Central and South America. In styles that range from 50s modern to 20s and earlier, Bettye Muller shoes are vivid, pretty and as colorful as the designer’s own eclectic tastes. Inspired by vintage fabrics and intense colors such as Bordeaux, granny apple and tangerine, her collections create a sense of fantasy for women. “My shoes are like Hitchcock Blondes. Like Kim Novak and Grace Kelly, they have a distinct look that is mysterious and beautiful. Each one tells a story,” Bettye says with smile.

Since they’re unique, her shoes aren’t for just anyone. Attracting modern-day blondes from Katie Couric to Cameron Diaz, the artist says that women who wear her pieces must have a great sense of self and a distinct style. “They’re a statement, so the women who wear them must be very confident,” she says.

Mirroring the designer’s individuality, the beauty of her Italian-made pieces lies in the details: faux fur-lined interiors, vintage brocades and vibrant beaded accents are just a few special touches that distinguish her footwear. “They’re original, and I always want to keep them that way,” Bettye explains.

But no matter where Bettye’s design inspiration takes her, some things will remain consistent about her shoes: they will be sophisticated and feminine, stylish and fun- and always unexpected.

Where can you find Bettye Muller’s collections? Here are some of our faves…

Bettye Muller

Bettye Muller "Avalon" - $309.99 on sale at piperlime.com

You may also fine Bettye Muller designs In stores at Hall’s, Joseph’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom.<-->

Demi and Ashton at Pier

03.28.09 – Walking on the pier with Ashton –Splash News

03.30.09 – Shopping in Nice, France – Bauer Griffin

AngeleighAnastasio.com

description:
Women’s fashion shoes & accessories designed & made in Italy with passion & amore~ Inspiration from the beauty of the world, a deep love of people and a passion for invoking pleasure drive Angelo Anastasio to design extraordinary footwear and accessories. The success of his luxurious women’s line, Angeleigh Anastasio, is testament that his mission is working. With quality craftsmanship and use of only the finest Italian leathers and fabric, the Angeleigh Anastasio line exemplifies simple refinement and definitive luxury.

For a more indepth look at Angelo’s shoe story, click on our original “designer spotlight” article we posted in the fall of 2007.

shoes we specialize in:
Casual Contemporary / Fashion Dress Evening Luxury / Designer

Elisa Ferare

Elisa Ferare announces her incredible sample sale being held in her design studio in Hollywood, California.

“It’s really glorious to see … a veritable candy store for shoe lovers.  People are in awe when the get here” stated Elisa.
The selection includes 8 years of designs (16 seasons  of samples!!), and as current as spring 09.  You will see embellished, exotic skins, flats, wedges, heels and boots with sample sale prices ranging from $150 to $490 (retail was $450 to $1200) . Sizes range from 6 to 10 with the bulk of it in 7,8, 9.

Elisa notes that “amazingly, nothing looks dated.  I guess because my vibe has always been a mixture of retro and futurist.   Plus there are so many beautiful one off’s that never went into production.”

SOOOO, are you ready to start shopping for these hand-made in America works of art?  Since most of her time is spent at the factory, Elisa requests that you please call 323.874.4410 to let them know when you are coming, so that they are sure to be here.  You will get directions to the studio when you call.

And BONUS  ….. everything on the ElisaFerare.com website is on sale!   Here’s a sampling of what you’ll see… happy shopping!

Elisa Ferare "Jewelers Shoe"

Elisa Ferare Zebra Ballerina

Elisa Ferare Olga Boot

And that’s just a taste of the “candy store” for shoe lovers!

Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson at "Marley & Me"

The BIGGER deal is what Jennifer had on her feet. A decadent pair of Behnaz Kanani lace-up platforms. And how! With their peep-toe and their cut-out sides, it’s still impossible to miss Kanani’s signature heel. L-O-V-E!

* Thanks JJ for the photos!

The story here is Behnaz Kanani. Most recently Mischa Barton was spotted in the same pair of heels, this time in a neutral two-tone palate. ThanksShunews for the story. You’ll find Behnaz Kanani at Harvey Nichols, and you can of course check on www.behnazkanani.com site for others!

Pour La Victoire .. "for the victory!"

Launched in Spring 2008, Pour La Victoire was conceptualized to deliver a fresh line of women’s footwear that is fashionable and affordable with quality appeal. In other words, high-end shoes at guilt-free prices!

“We felt strongly that the shoe industry was long overdue for an exciting new concept that was not the rehashing of successful mass market brands. Our hopes were just recently realized,” says David Giordano, co-found of the brand.

Entering its 5th collection, Pour La Victoire offers a myriad of styles unique to its own. Each shoe comes with stylish and bold color combinations, with chic trims and with sexy, distinctive heel shape or toe characteristics. All shoes are made in premium soft leathers or materials carefully crafted in Brazil. The timeless, mature styles have French girls names such as Colette, Heloise and Bijou to play off the sophisticated European sensibility. Pour La Victoire is the shoe for the 20th century Marie Antoinette, a shopaholic’s dream come true; a fashionable, high-quality shoe at a great price.

Pour La Victoire can now be found at leading retailer’s including Bloomingdales, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. Press reaction has been extraordinary garnering over 200 features in publications such as WWD, Harper’s Bazaar, Nylon magazine, Teen Vogue and People Style Watch.

And when someone asks “who are you wearing?” … let the correct pronunciation for Pour La Victoire, which means “for the victory,” roll off your tongue. Click here to listen and learn sole sista!

To view Pour La Victoire’s collection, please visit their web site, pourlavictoire.com.

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=== PANTY LINER INSERTS ===
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“…I don’t know why I didn’t think about doing this a long time ago but recently when I was having that problem with my feet sliding to the front of my shoes, it came to me to try panty liners as a cheap method for a shoe insert to stop the problem. All women know that one side of the panty liner is sticky. So, I removed the paper from that side and placed the liner into my shoes. I sure hope Zappos will print this because it really worked for me. If the liner is too long or wide, all you have to do is trim it wherever it may be showing and it will stick to your shoes until you remove it, at least it did for me. The liners are just the right thickness and shape for a shoe. They are also soft, and will keep your feet from sliding forward. What a difference it made for me, so, I hope you will print this so that other women can try this method. It’s a lot cheaper then purchasing other inserts for all your shoes…”
-CJB, Dallas,TX.

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Perhaps just as mesmerizing as the original posting, are the multitude of responses…
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This is the kind of great solution I love–can’t wait to try it on several shoes. My ankles are very narrow, yet I need width in the ball of the foot area, this may do the trick!
ClifferCarol

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Hooray for non-stuffy Zappos!
I’m going to think of other applications for panty-liners now that you have called it to my attention. They should probably be in every first-aid kit as bandages.
Imagination rules!
Virginia

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Wow, I never thought of that. I’ll definitly try it next time I’m wearing heels.
Thanks for the tip!
-MA

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Sounds great, I am going to try this with some new shoes that have a slick insole. Thanks for passing the idea along!
Trudy

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What a great idea!!!!! Thanks for sharing!
Gretchen P. Johnston

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This is going to sound so odd – however – this panty liner thing really works. Bonus – if you get the deodorant type it helps keep your feet from sweating and smelling like a yetti LOL.
Tess

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So there you have it Sole Sisters. Dual purpose for those panty liners. W-O-W. And for more ingenious zappos.com Daily Digest… click on zappos.com, then SCROLL DOWN right side of page and just before you see the BBB emblem, you’ll see “Daily Shoe Digest.” Click it. It’ll walk you through the steps to getting your daily dose.

A wee too flashy for your footsies? Bluebee.com also has shoes by Loeffler Randall, Moschino, detailed Old Grino boots, Marc Jacobs and bags from Andrea Brueckner, Matt & Nat and Carlos Falchi! And for a lil bit, they’re giving you 30% OFF Paul Smith shoes for your Mister.