Bejeweled

This past winter while in Vienna, my family and I visited the Schatzkammer, the country’s Treasury, where we wandered amongst some of the most beautiful pieces of art left over

 the days of Emperors, Kings and Popes. Among the papal wardrobes embroidered with gold thread, the crowns encrusted with fine stones, and the ornate service ware with its own hand-made carry cases was the the 2860 carat Columbian emerald. This softball-sized wonder is the largest cut emerald in the world and is simply breathtaking. This jewel exemplifies how for as long as history can remember, bigger has been better. Even today, we watch celebrities on the silver screen fawning over Flower Rings the size of a small country and in real life sporting wedding bands with diamonds no smaller that 3.5 carats. The size of the stone or stones matters and as sandal season has quickly consumed the footwear world, everyone seems to be scrambling to purchase the pair with the most bling. 

Cheap and garish: two things you don’t want your shoes to say about you. Unfortunately, this pair of Pierre Dumas sandals is the definition of cheap and garish. Rhinestones, although not my favorite, can be done well. This is not an example of rhinestones done well. The lack of a true color palate or even some sort of reasoning to the color selection is just the beginning. Notice the horrid gold plastic-looking four prongs holding each oversized jewel in place. The simple sandal design of the shoe is totally ruined by the excessive use of jeweling. I repeat, cheap and garish. 

In complete contrast, this simple pair of egg shell blue kitten heel sandals by Manolo Blahnik, who is, in my mind, the epitome of shoe design. This pair shows a well thought out use of embellishment in the use turquoise stones on a simple design, which is much like that of the Pierre Dumas shoes. The size of the stones corresponds well to strap size and the placement of the stones is intriguing, making the embellishment interesting and something to look at.  The choice of natural turquoise over the crated clarity of rhinestones, is a statement in itself. Sometimes the most beauty is found in the most imperfect of places. 

Embellishment makes a shoe, it determines the beauty or the lack thereof. The new Louis Vuitton collection, with its African inspiration, is a tasteless use of embellishment. Although I may be the only one to think this, they are ugly. The basic design of this collection is fabulous, but the overzealous use of beads, sequins and feathers detracts from the shoe rather than enhancing it. I appreciate the almost ironic humor of the face in the left “Spicy Sandal,” as they are entitled, but I would never want to wear it. It is a real shame because the intricate use of contrast, in fabrics and shapes (look at the platform), is truly incredible.

 Of course, I am sure some woman will be willing to shell out all $2790.00, just to be able to walk down the street, watching her fellow female stare in awe, or is it disgust, at these signature designer shoes.