As in fashion just like in economics there are the theories about where fashion trends come from. Do the less wealthy try to emulate the rich and famous i.e. trickle down. Or do the haute couture houses get ideas from the creatives on the street i.e. trickle up. And then manufacture the items with costly materials and a fancy brand name. Which allows them to charge insane prices because we like the quality. I mean the prestige or the fancy shop in which we procured the item. Its true, shopping in a posh boutique is always far more delightful than scouring the rakes at Ross.
Anyhow because I’m a keen observer in footwear trends (its hobby of mine if you haven’t noticed yet) I have noted in the last few years much more trickle up rather than trickle down in shoe styles.
I was in Monaco last week, you know like everyone ;o) It is one of the wealthiest countries in the world per capita. Of course the country is the size of a pimple in the grand scheme of things. There were Ferraris and designer everything is everywhere. So I was window-shopping because that is still free when I ran across a window display at the Gucci boutique. These shoes are very reminiscent of past designs from Betsey Johnson and the Taylor Says brands. Not cheap brands in the least but compared to Gucci they are at least in the I don’t need to take out a loan price range. And if you want to get even grittier the recent designs in higher end brands are really coming from the streets, think Melrose Ave the non fancy part to the east, those familiar with LA. Anyhow I like it. I like that these shoes are fun. The ultra rich shouldn’t have to wear boring shoes just cause they have money. Ferragamo makes excellent shoes, not question but no one will ever excuse them of being playful. Three cheers for fun!
Laura
