Bay Area Fashionista

Classic designer shoes

 in General Fashion / Shoes  tagged chloe / christian louboutin / classic style / jimmy choo / valentino by

classic designer shoes

From top: Valentino RockStuds / Chloe Flats / Jimmy Choo Boots / Christian Louboutin Pigalle Pumps

When it comes to designer shoes, there are a few recent classic styles which every Fashionista believes should be inside of her closet. These classic shoes may not have been around ten, or twenty years ago, but they have found recent fame and turned into timeless shoes; which are proving they can survive season after season.

Valentino Rockstuds enjoyed a high point in 2013 when almost every fashionable lady on the street had a pair on her feet. Now, the Valentino RockStud has become a classic shoe despite the downturn in the studded trend in 2014. What has made Valentino Rockstuds one of the most coveted high heels on the market is that they have a classic, pointed toe pump silhouette with just the right amount of edgy studs. The style is coupled with the fact that Valentino RockStuds are extremely comfortable! Comfort combined with style has equated to a popular and highly sought-after shoe which almost every woman wants in her shoe closet. The most popular colors of Valentino’s RockStuds are the black and nude hues.

Chloe flats have been a popular go-to flat for several years. The scalloped edges have raised the bar on the classic ballet flat. To top it off, Chloe uses some of the softest leather known to mankind which creates a comfortable and beautiful shoe. Although neutral hues and black are the most popular colors for Chloe flats, seasonal colors and texture variations are also highly sought-after.

Motorcycle boots have been popular for many season now, but one of the stand-out pairs has been designed by Jimmy Choo. These comfortable and edgy-yet-sophisticated moto boots are popular in classic black; but seasonal color such as navy suede are also highly coveted.

Christian Louboutin’s Pigalle Pump is arguably the most sought-after pair of shoes on the planet. These classic, pointed toe high heels are coveted in classic black and nude; season after season. 

When it comes to classic, designer shoes, I feel like the high price is worth every penny. If a shoe is considered timeless, it can be worn season after season, year after year; which means always having the perfect pair of black flats or nude pumps in the closet. Instead of purchasing new pumps or flats every season, an investment pair of classic designer shoes can be re-worn every season; ultimately saving money in the long run. Love that!

I have the Chloe flats on my wish list as my next shoe investment purchase. What do you think of these four classic designer shoes? Do you have a pair on your wish list?

Ever Ivy Audrey dress

 in Bay Area Fashion / General Fashion / Local Designers  tagged bay area designers / ever ivy / fall 2014 / outfits / san francisco designers by

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Pictured: Earrings: BaubleBar / Lipstick: c/o Dolce & Gabbana Orchid / Dress: c/o Ever Ivy (similar) / Handbag: Chanel (similar SAVE or SPLURGE) / Bracelet: Tory Burch / Nail Polish: c/o Dolce & Gabbana Verde Bosco / Ring: The 2 Bandits / Shoes: Prada

Ever Ivy is a fabulous brand designed by San Francisco Bay Area designer Liliana Ventura and made right here in California. I love how the pieces take inspiration from our culturally diverse and politically complicated landscape. The day-into-evening collection features neutrals and prints made from soft fabrics; which are not only nice to the touch, but incredibly comfortable!

I absolutely love the Audrey Dress by Ever Ivy worn in the photos above. There is a “1960’s meets modern day vibe” to the dress which makes it easy to wear with current accessories. This dress is perfect for a date night with my husband, or a girls night out! When the weather cools down as we move towards winter, the Audrey Dress by Ever Ivy will look amazing paired with tights and lug soled high heels. I’m looking forward to wearing it in different ways according to the occasion and weather!

To learn more about Ever Ivy, and view the entire collection, please visit EverIvy.com.

Building Block handbags

 in General Fashion / Handbags  tagged building block / emerging designers / minimalism by

building block handbag

Pictured: Handbag / Tassel

Building Block handbags are made in a multi-medium design studio in Los Angeles, California. The handbag collection includes minimalist designs which are often geometric; as well as tassels which can be added to any of Building Block’s handbags. Some of the handbags include wood block details and rubber straps; which adds a little bit of a personal touch to each piece.

I have become tired of recognizable handbags and logos. I feel like I can identify almost everyone’s handbag I pass on the street. There is usually a large logo or logo pattern strewn across the bag. If there is not a readable logo, a handbag will have a distinctive design which is easily spotted. Although I confess to owning many recognizable handbags which also happen to have readable logos on them, I have become bored of handbags which are easily recognizable. 

I love the concept of minimalism and a handbag which offers high quality and clean lines. I love seeing a fabulous design which is well made; sans the logo. Cue in Building Block handbags. Although I have not purchased one yet, I am planning on purchasing the box handbag featured in the above photo. I love the boxy design, which happens to be an up and coming trend for fall 2014 and into 2015. Aside from the silhouette being fashion-forward, I love the high quality design and absence of a strong logo.

One of the beautiful things about carrying a handbag which is not easy to recognize, is that it starts conversations. It is always fun to have someone ask who made your handbag or shoes, etc. It starts a conversation and creates human interaction which is sometimes lacking in this day and age, where people tend to hide on their smart phones, appearing to be busy; which many times they are just hiding, they are not really busy!

In addition to the boxy handbag I am currently saving up to purchase, I also have my eye on Building Block’s Cylinder Sling and Cylinder Duffle. What do you think of the collection?