When this gorgeous Louis Vuitton shoe was debuted at the Spring/Summer runway show in October I was ecstatic. I can't wait for it to hit stores so I can run out and buy them. Today, while flipping through the January issue of Allure magazine, I came across an image of these shoes and their price. I was instantly extremely disappointed and astounded at the same time. $2,175 for this shoe! Puh-leeze. It's not even a boot! It doesn't have any gemstones on it, just wood beads and cheap bronze metal. I figured it would be around $1,200, but $2,175 is outrageous. So, I will not own these wonderful shoes. Will you?

It's not that I don't like this Prada shoe, it just seems better suited for a winter collection rather than spring. It looks a bit like a big Christmas ornament, and that much gold metallic always reminds me of holiday parties. I do like the fluid look to the satin fabric and the big bows definitely make these shoes an eye grabber, however I don't think I'm going to shell out the ungodly amount of cash that Prada usually requires for such shoes. These will be available Spring 2009.

Here is a beautiful embroidered pump from Roger Viviers Spring 2009 Shoe collection. I like the elegant tan satin pump by itself, but with the sequined embellishments it looks rock n roll chic. This is a great shoe and I look forward to seeing it in person. I just hope it's not thousands of dollars.

These shoes are from the Spring 2009 shoe collection by Viktor & Rolf. I love the first two pairs with the bright colors, as well as the third pair toned down in gold. V&R's use of so many different materials -- crocodile, leather, velvet, silk and sequins -- results in a beautiful shoe. As you may know by now, I love to wear bright, over the top shoes with simple outfits like jeans and a blouse, so these shoes are right up my alley. On the other hand, the platform wedge shoes with painted flames are absolutely hideous. They remind me of the 1980 era airbrushed t-shirts or the flame painted trucker hats seen in various gas stops around the country. 

The Versace 2009 Spring shoe collection was pretty timid compared to some past collection. The colors were neutral, mostly beige and white, and the design wasn't overdone. And while I really liked some of the over the top designs from the Spring 2009 shows, Donatello's Versace collection is wearable with most outfits and most occasions. The zipper was her main theme in this entire collection, and as it was seen all over her clothes, she designed one shoe with a zipper focal point, and what a great shoe! It is a recent trend among shoe designers to color the shoe sole (excluding the red sole Christian Louboutin, who was been doing it for years). Donatello opted for a yellow sole in this shoe collection, which is fitting since she uses the vibrant color often. Hearts were also a theme in this collection, and as seen in her clothing from this shoe, some shoes sported crystal heart adornments. There was a beautiful cut out shoe with a crystal adorned heel, that came in gorgeous white snakeskin as well as beige silk brocade. The silk brocade also made a beautiful handbag. I love this collection and I think we will see it alot this Spring, on starlets as well as the well heeled among us.  Check out the Versace ready to wear garments.

Angela Missoni, the Missoni designer debuted a very chic shoe for the upcoming Spring season. She released slightly different, yet all neutral, color variations of this fabulous shoe. I love the use of the exotic snakeskin, especially where we can see the really large scales. (The snake skin below came from one big sucker!) Though I usually don't like an ankle strap, these are thin and not terribly distracting.

This one shoe release is common for fashion houses that are more geared towards clothing or handbags. Missoni is more of a clothing fashion house, but I'm grateful for this shoe. It fits perfectly into the picture of long summer leisure days that gives this house its identity.

The Christian Lacroix shoes debuted in the Spring 2009 collection are very sexy and fun .These shoes displayed artfully placed bows every Lacroix lover will recognize as his inimitable signatures. He released the same shoe in different color variations, with slightly different ankle chains and charms. I think the shoe will do well in spring. It's wearable with jeans or with a dress, day or night, and the chain anklets give the shoe a sexy and youthful vibe.

There wasn't a lot to see at the Burberry Prorsum Spring 2009 runway show if you just wanted to see the shoes. While the shoes I did see weren't disappointing, there was a limited collection. This show was more about the clothes. But about the shoes, the heel was the focal point with a wider, slightly jutting curve at the top that tapered to a stiletto bottom. This heel gives the shoe a nice silhouette. I have the same problem with the shoe collection as I had with the handbag collection, the colors are dull, and definitely not very spring-y.

Frida Giannini, the designer for Gucci, coined this collection "Gucci Exotica", but in her shoe collection there was nothing exotic. It was strictly classic and wearable designs. Like her Spring 2009 handbag collection, she only offered three different designs. While she has the designs in various colors and materials, from leather to crocodile, it was a little bit boring. The wooden platforms with the mary jane uppers are a classic design and look appropriate and chic in a business environment. Same for the triple buckle ankle strap shoe. The metallic snakeskin heel was the only one that would be more appropriate for the evening. In a season of runway fantasia, Gucci's fashions stood out as the practical label, with more everyday wearable pieces. That is a good quality to have in this global economy, even if it was not terribly exciting.

Here I go again, I can't get enough of what we have seen from the 2009 Spring fashion shows. Dolce & Gabanna revealed funky, fun and tres chic shoes in their 2009 Spring collection. The details were all in the heels and platforms, while most of the shoes displayed had a very simple upper. We saw HUGE platforms and chunky heels. There were sequin covered wedges and a red sequin covered pump, reminiscent of Dorothy in Wizard of Oz. There were elaborate floral themed wedges paired with strappy gold sandals, there were funky modern print wedges paired with alligator strap sandals, and there were metallic silver and gold striped wedges with matching leather stap sandals. Some of my favorites were their black satin heels with fluffy bows and gold details. But the beautiful sky blue alligator shoes were my absolute favorite. I love the way the sole curves upwards toward the middle of the foot. It brings the eye to a rarely exposed, yet sexy part of a woman's foot. Also, the color is beautiful and croc is the ultimate in luxury. Even though these shoes are incredibly high, they appear easier to walk in than standard high heels, due to the flat bottom. With so much variety from this collection, I'll bet (and hope) we see a lot of Dolce & Gabanna on the streets next Spring.

Oh, and the handbags from this collection are just as fabulous!