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16th Century Chopine

Fact: Historians believe the modern-day high heel originates from the chopine, a platform shoe, worn by women in Florence in the 16th century. The platform was often two feet high.

Fact: Shoe fiend Darlene Flynn earned her title as Guinness World Record holder for the largest collection of shoe-related items.  She reportedly owns 7,765 shoe-related items, including a replica of the Disney Cinderella glass slipper, wooden shoes, leather moccasins, cloth shoes, cast iron boots, a red-stiletto shoe phone, and even a shoe made from the ash collected at Mount St. Helen’s eruption.

Fact: The average woman is a size 8 shoe. According to The Professional Shoe Fitting Manual, At the beginning of the 20th century, the average American woman wore a 3.5 or a 4, climbed to a 5.5 or 6 by the 1960s, and reached an 8 in the 1980s.  (Most popular size at Zelda’s Shoe Bar: size 9)

Fact: Salvatore  Ferragamo is credited with inventing the contemporary stiletto in the 1950s.   He created the sexy heel for film siren Marilyn Monroe.  Ladies hoping to emulate the star’s signature wiggle clamored for the 3 inch heels.

Fact: Pairs of shoes owned by the average American woman: 27

Fact : According to Harper’s Index, the average increase in the protrusion of a woman’s buttocks when she wears high heels is 25%.

Fact: Plato and Aristotle believed going bare footed diminished the libido and wearing shoes added to ones sexual power.

Louis XIV Shoes

Fact: Some of the shoes owned by Louis XIV had five-inch heels resplendent with miniature battle scenes.

Fact: Number of shoes on display  from the Spring 2011 collection at Nike World Headquarters  sales conference:   6,000

We at Zelda’s are big fans of Blush Beauty Bar!

With an impressive collection of the top brands in cosmetics and exceptionally talented makeup artists and estheticians on hand, this beauty bar on NW 23rd is truly addicting.

We asked the ladies at Blush to demonstrate the latest beauty trends using some fabulous shoes from Zelda’s as inspiration. Take a look at this fun mashup of trends in beauty and shoes for Spring 2010!

Spring 2010 Beauty by Deborah Haynes, owner Blush Beauty Bar

When I think of  warm season beauty this year, I have visions of popsicles,  coral and  Old-Hollywood glamour. Every year, we have the traditional looks of the season: Spring/Summer is a clean, glowy and fresh complexion with minimal makeup. Fall/Winter is moody & melodramatic with a smokey eye or the red lip. What’s been happening lately though? A beauty fusion of the seasons! I am thrilled that it’s ok for me to rock that red lip anytime I want to.

For the latest in fashion, most of us turn to the magazines, the web, our favorite beauty lines and our favorite designers. Some of us can translate runway to real-way. Some of us need a bit of guidance. I turn to Sabrina Winkel. Disclaimer-we work together, so it’s not far for me to turn and we love to play makeup! Every season, we get so excited for all the new products and colors. Her customers come in on a regular basis to learn the latest or just to get the Winkel treatment for that special night out. She has a fan base. I get it. I’m a fan too!

Sabrina’s thoughts on makeup now:

Inspiration: Helmut Newton, 1940’s, and Madonna 1984

Trend She Loves Now #1: Lady “Like A Virgin” Vibe

Shoe Inspiration: Clauidia Cuiti “Filomena”

Zelda’s says: “This shoe is for the risk taker – the woman who isn’t afraid to push the envelope, in fashion or any other of her pursuits. Is there any better example of that woman than Madonna?

As we have seen in the magazines, the top beauty look for Spring 2010 is “nude,”which pairs perfectly with the rock and roll vibe of  the “Filomena” shoe.  It can soften the hard edged rocker look, for day or evening. So we asked the experts at Blush to create a look for us.”

The Look on Jai at Blush Blush Beauty Bar….

(*For product information, see the face chart and product list at the bottom of this feature)

Trend She Loves #2: 1940’s Glam

Shoe Inspiration: Clauida Ciuti “Candy”

Zelda’s Says: “Wow. This shoe is truly the epitome of glamor. It’s both ladylike and daring. The vibrant coral sings and is the perfect compliment to the metallic linen. It’s at once polished and irreverent…glamor for glamor’s sake.”

The look on Megan at Blush Beauty Bar….

GET THESE FRESH FACED LOOKS AT BLUSH!

Face chart for Look # 1: Fresh Faced “Like a Virgin”

Eyes

Lid: Girlactik shadows in Haute (outer lid) Penny+Mariposa (center)

Contour: Frenchie (inner) by Girlactik

Highlight: Queen Phyllis – Bare Minerals

Liner: Black liquid by Stila

Liner bottom: Sexy Greens by Girlactik

Mascara: Black Magic Mascara by Eyeko

On Cheeks: Rose by Stila, Bronze-Stila Illuminatincy Powder

Lips: Lipstick in Adorable by Stila, gloss: Apricot lipglaze by Stila

Look # 2: 1940’s Glam

Eyes

Lid: Saucy by Bare Minerals

Contour: Illimani by Stila

Highlight: Primetime Eye by Bare Minerals

Liner: Nanda Devi by Stila (Top), Illimani by Stila (Bottom)

OnCheeks: Zen by Nars, Copacabana by Nars (highlight)

Lips: Outrageous by Stila, Liner #1 by Stila

********************************

…And there you have it, the latest in beauty and shoes for Spring 2010! Get down to Blush Beauty Bar and let those miracle workers update your look for the season.

(P.S. Word has it that they have some fabulous new products to make you look like you’re fresh off the beach…without all those nasty UV rays. Love that! )

XOXO, Zelda’s Shoe Bar

Love them or hate them, thigh-high footwear is having a fashion moment. Channeling an Eighties-meets-Pretty Woman vibe, over-the-knee boots were all over the high street stores as the first flush of fall fashion displayed key pieces for the new season.

This sky-high footwear comes in so many heel heights and styles there is something for all tastes from sexy to sporty. From skinny-legged platformed and vertiginous heels to wide Puss-in Boots-style galoshes with heels that are chunky or flat. . .

How to Wear Thigh-High Boots
One of the most versatile and fun trends this season is the over-the-knee boot. In Portland particularly, the flat knee high boot can get you to and from work in style. You can walk for blocks in these and since you can fold the tops up OVER the knee cap you can stay warm in this windy weather too! So hip you can head straight out after work without a change.
Whilst these over-the-knee boots look great over skinny-legged jeans or leggings they are also teamed with the season’s new mini length dresses. To balance out their sex appeal choose a chunky or flat heel or wear with a demure knitted dress for a more classy look.
Climb into these boots, like stockings or tights rather than slipping them on. After the first few minutes of walking they may have a tendency to slip down off the thigh a little but this gives them a more relaxed ruched, slouchy appearance.

Worn with leggings and a tunic and a few layered chains around the neck and you are street smart. With jeans, layered T’s and the endless scarf and it’s a perfect look for Saturday shopping. With shorts (only for the brave), a loose T and the boyfriend jacket and you rival Kate Moss for the hip city look.

My favorite  boot in town is the Bettye Muller “Relax”  (pictured below) at Zelda’s.

This boot oozes dressed down chic ala Nicole Richie.  Zelda’s also has the other pieces I’ve mentioned   (the endless scarf and layered chains, jackets). Speaking of jackets… It’s not the boyfriend jacket but it is one of the coolest coats I have seen in a while and the construction is amazing. This June Leather bomber jacket just arrived at Zelda’s. At $596, it’s the right price. Get it before it’s gone!

June Leather Bomber Jacket

When pulling together your over-the- knee look, take inspiration from the runway.  Vivienne Westwood’s Red Label (London Fashion Week Fall 2009) teamed  long boots with understated mini dresses in neutral shades. Alternatively, for the brave of heart, wear them with wool shorts, to embrace Muicca Prada’s Fall runway look.  For the urban sophisticate, pair the flat version with a tailored coat (ala Rick Owens).

However you style it, be bold.   It’s certainly the season for indulging in rich colors and fabrics. And nothing will make you forget about the frigid temperatures faster than slipping into fabulous footwear!

P.S. If you’re not ready to embrace the over-the- knee boot, but still want something “of the moment,”  give this stunner from L’Autre Chose (France) a whirl.  It’s tall, sleek and full of haute couture spirit.

L

-Kristin Spear, Stylist

www.kristinspearstylist.com

ASK KRISTIN YOUR STYLE QUESTIONS BY LEAVING A COMMENT!