Fashion Fridays: Paris Calling

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Footwear Webdesk
Fashion Fridays
February 4, 2011

Runway Roundup
Couture season in Paris has sprung and, par tradition, footwear played a tame and supportive role to excessive yards of tulle, beadwork and the theatrics that make haute fashion a bi-annual awe-inspiring extravaganza. In terms of footwear, fashion houses acted upon their ready-to-wear instincts. The shoes featured in many Spring ’11 collections were simple, sleek and mostly without ornamentation as designers took one of two directions: a single neutral style in day-to-night offerings or formulating chic head-to-toe color coordinated looks not to be mistaken with dowdy bride’s maid get-ups. —Angela Velasquez

Love (Luv)

noun, verb

1. A profoundly tender, passionate affection for another

2. Enamored of

3. To need

4. A feeling of warm personal attachment

5. Penny loves Kenny

www.pennyloveskenny.com

Chanel

At Chanel, a black satin pointed toe flat covered plenty of coveted ground, being paired with sporty denim leggings and coat ensembles and ethereal organza dresses. Like the shoe itself, the show, which was held in a simple mirrored venue, was far more low key than Karl Largerfeld’s recent productions at the Grand Palais.

Valentino
Organza also ruled at Valentino. Designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Piere Palolo Piccioli repeatedly capped off gauzy pleated gowns, knee-length skirts and tunics with the same low-heel metallic shoe. The classic silhouette bridged the collection’s elegant Valentino red day looks with ultra-feminine red-carpet dresses in nude and pastels.

Christian Dior
For Christian Dior, designer John Galliano created a caricature of couture in a mass of color coordinating looks spanning inky red to sunny yellow. Inspired by archived Dior illustrations, the collection featured exaggerated lines, full ball gowns, layers of tulle and a classically Dior double strap, open-toe Mary Jane.

Armani Privé
The Technicolor Armani Privé collection consisted of futuristic sculpted jackets, liquid-like skirts and figure-hugging tube dresses in saturated shades of red, blue and green. The collection teetered the line between Sci-Fi costume and fashion, but the Lucite heel pumps were ready to take to the street.