Designer Heather Williams has channeled her architectural inspiration into shoes that are high-heeled, strappy, and luxe. On her bio page, we learn that "H Williams footwear and handbags are designed for a confident, chic, independent woman. The collection encompasses a definitive sense of movement with attention to patterns and details. H Williams 2009/2010 collection are complemented with precious materials; python, croco stamp and brushed metallic. All hand-made in Italy, the collection reflects a great respect for the history, tradition, and quality behind Italian footwear and handbags."

In November, theshoegoddess.com had a chat with Williams, and she said this about her new line:

"The Shoe Goddess: Who or what inspires you most?
Heather Williams: I pay really close attention to art and architecture. I have my most creative ideas when I'm fascinated or perplexed and it forces me to become creative. I had no idea how to construct a bridge, but staring at the Brooklyn Bridge one day inspired me to develop one of my most popular Spring 2010 models, the 'Olivia.' [Above.]

"TSG: Talk about the inspiration for your latest line.
HW: For almost two years, I've been based in Italy and spending short periods of time back in New York. My most recent collection, for Spring 2010, was sketched while I was back in New York. I noticed myself paying close attention to how different the architecture in New York is from Milan. My Fall 2009 launch collection was inspired by Italian architecture. I drew inspiration from the Brooklyn Bridge (Olivia), the Flatiron Building (Chiara, Jesse), and the stunning evening skyline in Manhattan (Rueda)."

I scoured the Web for retailers and prices for this line, but came up empty-handed. But I found a few other H Williams shoes, which ranged from $300 - $500. If you like the bridge style and want to know more, contact H Williams here, and follow her on Facebook.

Stuart Weitzman's luxury diamond and gemstone embellished shoes always attract attention, usually on the feet of a starlet at a red-carpet event. But Weitzman's "Million Dollar" platinum shoe has received a unique honor, a country postage stamp issued by the Spanish government. The shoe features 464 Kwiat diamonds with a total carat weight of 61.92 mounted on a platinum mesh frame. The creation of the shoe was a collaboration between Platinum Guild International, Kwiat Diamonds and Stuart Weitzman. The stamp bears Stuart Weitzman's name and a picture of the show. Weitzman was celebrated at an event held at the National Shoe Museum in Elda, Spain, marking the 50th anniversary of the internationalization of the Spanish shoe industry. Weitzman's factories have been located in Alicante, Spain's shoemaking headquarters for the past 37 years.

Shoe paradise Zappos is opening the doors to its VIP Club during a special four-day window from Black Friday, November 27, through Cyber Monday, November 30. Starting at 12:01 a.m. on Friday and lasting until midnight on Monday only, log onto to the special holiday VIP Club page and join for free, overnight shipping forever.

My love for Zappos has been documented on this site, plus all my friends and family know too. I am a hazard to my budget when I get within an inch of the site. But keep watching my posts on Luxist for more from Zappos, including great holiday gift ideas -- Zappos also carries bags, clothing, housewares, beauty items, and more -- a gift card giveaway, design contests, and more about its Couture section, which is what Luxist readers really care about, right?

UPDATE: The holiday VIP promotion has ended, but you can join Zappos's VIP waiting list here.

See that polo-sporting playboy climbing out of the Ferrari convertible? Look at his shoes. They're probably made by Tod's. The Italian shoemaker has become synonymous with the exotic automaker, and not just because the chairman of the latter sits on the board of the former. Now the two kindred spirits have come together for a special line of driving mocs made by one for the other.

The Tod's for Ferrari line consists of three models – the Leccetto (with laces), the Laccetto Tubi GT (with tassels) and the Mascherina Griglia (with a special emblem styled after the grille of the iconic 250 GTO). The latter two are available in black and brown suede, with the former also available in red and blue (in true Elvis style). Each feature insoles ribbed like the seats of a Ferrari sportscar, and are made in the same time-honored tradition that makes any pair of Tod's loafers indispensable for the playboy lifestyle. They sell for 290 to 320 euros, and are available directly from Ferrari's online store.

Partnering with The Elton John AIDS Foundation, Jimmy Choo has launched Project PEP, a line of bold, punk rock accessories whose sales benefit the Simelela Rape Center in Cape Town, South Africa. The collection comprises 11 items -- bags, shoes, a cuff, and mobile accessories -- that range in price from $85 - $995. The shoe pictured, the PEP LOOP, is $975. Take a look at the gallery for a few more items from the collection.

The holidays are all about glitz and glamour -- even for those who glam it up year round, Christmas and New Years are a time for stepping it up a notch. Consider these Mirror Mosaic Strappy Sandals by Thakoon to be your over-the-top statement splurge this season. Dazzling slip-on style in silver mirrored leather with brick-effect paneling, black suede trim, cutout effect, and angled peep toe opening. The heel measures a sky-high 4.5 inches and the price checks in at an equally high $1,150.

Like 'em? Then you should also check out these Mirror Mosaic Ankle Boots.

K-Swiss has just released two limited-edition colors for its Classic Hi P hi-top men's shoe that are going to snazz up your wardrobe and add some glitter. Putting a metallic twist on its iconic, classic sneaker, the new colors are a patent red upper with a black sole and a bronze upper with white sole. Available online in U.S. sizes 7-13 (no 12.5). $115

Do only the very wealthy pay retail these days? Seems like it. With so many discount shopping sites that sell high-end items, mere mortals can get said high-end items at low(er)-end prices. But is is there room for yet one more of these sites? LuxGoddess.com is hoping so. It recently joined the likes of Bluefly, ShopBop, and Gilt to offer upscale items at reduced prices. Here's what makes LuxGoddess different, however: It donates 10% of its proceeds to Bright Pink, a national nonprofit that provides education and support to young women who are at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer.

Calling itself "the premier site for today's fashion trendsetters looking for great deals on their favorite designer brands," the site carries well-known brands, with a number of items pulled from online stores, and covers the standard categories of apparel, shoes, beauty, and accessories. There's also a sale rack, which is a user's personal sale rack, based on her size and brand preferences.

Master leather craftsmen in Argentina can satisfy your cravings for fashion, quality, comfort and originality with custom boots. Clients can choose the style and leather to suit their taste and custom measurements ensure a beautiful fit and happy feet. There is also a truly bespoke option where one can design their own boot to exact specifications, including special details such as buttons made of precious metals. The end result being a one-of-a kind haute couture pair. If you can dream it, they can make it.

Anna Lunna offers women the opportunity to enjoy boots that truly reflect her personal sense of style. The company offers clients their choice of 16 styles, 5 different heel heights, 10 different heel styles and 17 leather colors from which to create the perfect boot for day or night, ranging from a casual day look to a dressier evening look. Once you order your boots the company will rush you an Anna Lunna 8 Point Fit Measurement Kit so that the boots will fit your feet to perfection. The finishing touch is your boots will arrive in about 6 weeks with your name personally engraved inside.

All this individuality comes at a cost with ankle boots retailing at $4,500 and knee high boots retailing at $5,000. While you are spoiling your feet in customized luxury you can take comfort in the fact that the brand is committed to giving back to the community. They claim to do this not only by employing third generation bootsmiths, thereby keeping their craft alive, but by contributing 10% of the proceeds of every boot sold to WORTH, a program that empowers impoverished women around the world.

What makes a pair of rubber boots worth over $400? The ones from France's Le Chameau are not your ordinary wellies. For one thing, each pair is handmade by a single boot maker from start to finish using only 100% natural rubber, which provides superior resilience and elasticity compared to synthetic rubber. Besides forming an excellent barrier to water, natural rubber offers a high resistance to wear, cutting and tearing, and results in a much better fit and a more comfortable boot all around. They're also lined with the highest quality full-grain, glove-soft calf leather which prevents that clammy feeling and heat buildup other rubber boots are prone to. Many models also feature a full-length proprietary waterproof zipper making them extremely easy to put on and take off, while the soft but aggressive tread grips almost any surface.

Of course Le Chameaus are also damned stylish; they recently appeared in our Fall Sporting Style feature starring the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, and while gaining popularity with connoisseurs here, in Europe they're the hunting boot of choice for everyone from royalty to gamekeepers and as much a part of estate shooting as a bespoke shotgun. In 1927, M. Claude Chamot hand-crafted the first pair of Le Chameau boots in his factory in Northern France. It takes nine months of intense training to become a Le Chameau boot maker. Unique skills and techniques are passed down through generations, from master boot maker to apprentice, ensuring that each pair of boots is created with the same care, quality and craftsmanship as in M. Chamot's day, with the benefit of modern technology of course. Under normal conditions a pair of Le Chameaus will last for decades, making the best boot money can buy well worth the price.



The classic olive green Chasseur hunting boots are our favorite, but a range of models is available for both men and women. There are special versions for cold weather and even some fur trimmed ladies' models in interesting colors. On a historical note, these type of boots are known as Wellingtons or wellies after a softer, closer-fitting style of cavalry boot originally designed by the first Duke of Wellington, who had the first ones made of leather in the early 1800s. They were not made of rubber until the 1850s when Charles Goodyear invented the vulcanization process for natural rubber. You can check out a video of Le Chameau boots being made here.

The Fall is here and with that comes vibrantly colored foliage, pumpkin patches, apple picking excursions and of course clothing and accessories to update your Fall wardrobe. Of the many Fall staples that come to mind, leather tall boots rank among the top of the list. From high heels and thigh high boots to suede and flats, there are so many to choose from that it can be difficult to decide where to start. But of the wide variety of styles, tall flat boots are certainly the more practical and functional of out the bunch. They can be worn virtually everyday and provide added comfort especially if you tend to do a lot of walking throughout your day. One of our favorite flat boots are from Loeffler Randall. Their Marti Flat Buckle Boot features a slight wedge and several side buckled straps that add a decorative effect. It's cognac colored leather is the perfect neutral color that will compliment your entire wardrobe. The Marti is also available in black and in mid calf height. Unfortunately there is no side zipper but the wide opening will help to pull on these boots easily. Price: $895.

The tradition of drinking champagne from a woman's shoe began in the 1880s in France. Piper Heidsieck revives this tradition with Le Rituel a new collaboration with shoemaker Christian Louboutin. The set includes a bottle of champagne and a red-soled Louboutin glass stiletto. The website for the project says it will be available in the U.S. on October 19. You can follow Piper Heidsieck on Facebook or Twitter as they reveal more details about the project which has shoe-loving fashionistas buzzing.

[via High Snobriety]

Form or function? It's a question as old as, well...footwear itself. Because typically shoes that serve a specific function have their form dedicated to them. Just think of work boots or running shoes and you'll know what we mean. Conversely shoes designed for form aren't typically very functional. Porsche Design, however, figures they've got it figured out with its latest footwear collection.

Built around a unique sole designed specifically for driving, the collection includes a variety of styles for the gentleman driver, ranging from formal oxfords to sporty sneakers. Each features a left sole with a solid grip to operate the clutch and a right sole designed for easy transition from gas to brake. The uppers are made from black, white, gray and brown calfskin, and are fabricated in Italy by Müller & Meirer Lederwarenfabrik GmbH.

This is probably the only time I've seen something named after the Vice President cost more than something named after the President. The Biden, which sells for $190, is part of the newest collection from Terra Plana, a London-based shoe company. The Pop Series is a line of modular shoes made with recycled, natural,and biodegradable materials. The Barack shoe ($180) and the Biden ankle boot are the first two styles introduced from the new line and are constructed from glue-less technology. These shoes feature just 10-12 components while the average shoe is comprised of between 50 and 70. The series is designed to be lightweight and flexible and has an interchangeable sole.

The recently-opened Etiqueta Negra boutique in downtown Manhattan has brought a modern take on masculine, equestrian style all the way from Buenos Aires. The store, which features among other décor elements a 1938 Alfa Romeo racecar (above), carries suits, jackets, jeans and shirts, as well as a line of leather shoes designed exclusively for Etiqueta Negra by Casa Fagliano, the Argentina-based maker of Prince Charles' bespoke polo boots. Prices for the princely footwear, which is not available anywhere else in the U.S., begin at $2,500 a pair. They also carry polo gear as well as women's clothing, though the emphasis is on the menswear.

Related: The Classicist: On Equestrian Style; The Classicist: Exploring the Wide World of Polo