Black leather desire
Attraction, obsession, hunger...the A.F. Vandervorst black leather hoof boots from the FW09 collection. I've lusted after these since the first time I saw them clip-clop down the runway. Their image has been burned onto my consciousness ever since, my need for them growing month to month. The questions started going through my mind, "how will I get these?", "what extra job will I have to take to afford these?" "why wasn't I born with these on my feet". This is something that I have loved about A.F. Vandevorst - their interpretation and integration of sex and fetish into their collections. You might not notice at first, but look closer and you can find garter straps, seductive fabrics, and strict tailoring. The hoof boots are a smart way to anchor that concept (literally, as the bottommost poit of the looks)...I would be so very happy if I could have my legs end in these beautifully perverse creations. (top image by Sonny Vandevelde)
Ankle boot fetish - Without a doubt, I will always push past a pump in favor of an ankle height boot. I remember buying my first pair of black pointy-toed ankle boots when I was probably...16. I think they were from Out-Of-The-Closet thrift or Goodwill. I wore them until the rubber wore off the heels and I was walking on metal stubs. Not much has changed since then. Not matter the silhouette - all sorts of dresses, skirts, trousers, I always feel like the most appropriate footwear choice for myself is an ankle boot. And mark my words, I destry them just as much now as I did 5 years ago...unfortunately.
Doctor's bag fetish - When it comes to handbags, I spent years with "good enough", or whatever happened to be available. Soon after I began work at Harputs Market in San Francisco, I began feeling a tickle of handbag frenzy. Nothing seemed right for the longest time. The thought of carrying a basic slouchy leather purse seemed wrong, and no very 'me' at all. One day at the Alameda flea market, I started noticing doctors bags - falling in love with their shape, but yearning for the functionality of a shoulder strap. And then the most magical Margiela bag apparated into the shop (pictured right) and we were a close fit ever since. I purchased the bag on the left as a birthday present for myself when I turned 20.
Last week I discovered the miniature doctor's bag below by Ann Demulemeester, and I can't get it out of my mind...its beautiful.
Last week I discovered the miniature doctor's bag below by Ann Demulemeester, and I can't get it out of my mind...its beautiful.
21 comments:
I need to get some of them boots! Gimme shooooooooooeeeeeeeeeees! Strap me in!!!!!!!!!!
I wanted a good doctor bag for so long, but haven't found the right one yet. I'm afraid that this stunnning AnnD is waaay out of my price range too.
i completely agree with your ankle boot sentiments.. i prefer ankle boots over any other shoes
I agree with you, I've been a fan of ankle boots since ever and I never stop collecting them in almost every pattern I could :)
www.fashionbangs.blogspot.com
I love everything here! That collection is really striking and beautiful.
Have your boots resoled. Have them reheeled. Especially your Rick Owens when they start to wear. There's no point in "destroying" shoes that you love, even if you wear them hard. There's no excuse for wearing the taps down on your heels and not having them repaired. All it tells me is that you know a lot more about good shoes than good shoe repair. Now you have the other side of the equation. Retapping your heels is $10 at the most and keeps you from having the entire heel replaced, which is considerably more expensive. There's a boot guy on Prince Street right off of Bowery who does great work. An entire leather sole and heel will be about $100 which is a fraction of a cost of a good pair of boots.
I always love reading your thoughts on fashion. Amazing.
Anon - Don't worry, I get rubber soles put on all of my nice shoes now. I've definitely learned from years of misconduct!!
Also, the Vanderhorst boots are nice, but I think I saw them about 10 years ago as the Fluevog Grand National, which you're probably too young to remember. There are occasionally originals on eBay. They were available as an oxford, ankle boot, and knee-high. They've been reintroduced with less expensive production techniques and a much less fetishy, but still hot appearance. The Silverlake is here. Fluevog definitely isn't an emerging designer, but the legacy is worth the investment. And they repair for life.
(I'm the anon). I saw you at work on Friday and thought about stopping in to say hello, but I was with a friend.
My friend wore the Vandervorst shoes at a shoot the other day. They are amazing. Especially peeking out of a long skirt.
www.fatherofdetroit.blogspot.com
I'm there with ya'. Ankle boots or boots in general over anything else any day! I think I'm developing a fetish for such things...
http://www.invasionista.com
I second everything you say. Are you sure you are not my long lost daughter? I have been wearing ankle boots since before they became a "trend". I wear them everywhere, even to black tie events with ball gowns. And my everyday bag is a beat up Y's doctor bag with a messenger strap. People stop me all over, at least twice a week to ask me about it. I have felt the same way about the Vandevorst boots since I saw them and have been trying to make my feet look like little hooves with the boots that I have. He just made the hooves, literally. So if you find out who has them, PLEASE let me know! I'm a size 38- 38 1/2. : )
Oh, A.F.Vandevorse... I remember when some years ago I've stumbled upon a male mostly-gay-boot-lovers-site, and one of them had a photo with 2.5 - 3" Cuban heel A.F.Vandevorst ankle boots. They were uber-classy and de facto started me into wearing high heels as fashion because I had an irrefutable proof that a guy can look great in heels :).
oh man I LOVE that beat up doctor bag on the left..its suppper RAD
Zana, I NV U.
The one thing I love is that your collection of pieces is always, always, so well-edited; never does anything you own seem disposable. I've come to lurve the evilution of your style. I'm sure those Vandervorst boots will make it into your life somehow. Here's to hoping on it!
P.S. For the time I've been following your blog, I think I should actually comment more often. Jus' sayin'.
i've been obsessing over those ankle boots too!
those hoof boots are wunderbar
that is a damn fine collection of ankle boots! i see you've gotten a lot of wear out of the ones you studded a while back! xx molly
You need to find these boots...I am looking forward to seeing you in them...you could totally pull them off...
I often read your blog and always find it very interesting. Thought it was about time i let you know…Keep up the great work.There's a boot guy on Prince Street right off of Bowery who does great work. An entire leather sole and heel will be about $100 which is a fraction of a cost of a good pair of boots.
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