Although the idea of wearing anything in these high temperatures may be the last thing on your mind, we couldn't help but fawn over these stunning ankle booties. We're happy to say they are made for this weather. You see, the Voyette Latoy Ankle Boots feature a mesh upper with leather trim, so there's lots of breathability. These gorgeous nude darlings are draped oh-so-chicly and adored with a bejeweled brooch and boasts a statuesque 4 1/2" heel. To claim your own, head over to www.voyette.com and pick these up for $299.99.

A new Kickstarter campaign has set out to create the world's most customizable shoes. With an interchangeable heel system, women can transform these pumps from block heels to stilettos at a moment's notice. These customizable heels come from Oumou Barry, a French shoe designer who thought of the idea when she couldn't decide between her shoe options and found her choices rather boring.


The shoes are perfect for transitioning from a day to night look, all while staying safe. Five of the most common personal injury cases involve car accidents, medical malpractice, premises liability, product liability, and wrongful death. Without being too dramatic, ladies, how many times have you been betrayed by your own high heels? One 2015 study found that high heel related injuries had nearly doubled over the span of 10 years and we know heels aren't likely to get any shorter.
Oumou Barry's new heels can provide the safety you need without compromising on the height. Engineers and designers at SATRA, the global leader in footwear testing and research, have tested and approved the heel system for safety, comfort, versatility, and quality. Despite the ability to remove the heels from the shoe, they can withstand extreme forces without breaking and won't distort when you walk.


While the design of the heels keeps you safe, it can also make your day much more comfortable. Stiletto heels can strain your feet and ankles if you have to walk a long way in them. Block heels, however, offer much better support because you can distribute your body weight across their greater surface area. The support of a chunky heel can lessen pain in areas such as your feet, ankles, legs, and lower back. When faced with this pain, many people may seek medical help at one of the 7,357 urgent care centers in the United States. If you could skip the discomfort and the inevitable trip to the doctor's office by switching your stylish stiletto to a supportive block heel when you're on the go, wouldn't you?


The practicality of the heel system also holds an appeal for many women. By having a two-in-one pump, you no longer have to pack multiple pairs of shoes for a business trip or vacation. With 92% of employees saying that vacation time is important to them, the challenge of packing strategically is one that almost every traveler faces. Now multiple pairs of bulky heels won't be taking up room in your suitcase. You can pack just the one pair and tuck the sets of heels into side pockets or your purse.


According to the Kickstarter campaign, Oumou Barry is currently offering one design of the customizable heels. Called Severine, these pumps are made of 100% genuine leather on the body and a segment of patent leather on the rounded front. The high-quality leather guarantees durability and longevity while offering optimal comfort. Both heel choices of the Severine pumps measure three inches.
In the future, Oumou Barry plans to offer a wider variety of colors, shapes, and materials. The Kickstarter is currently in the campaign phase, but will likely move into production in December and January. Their timeline shows that by March of 2020, the first batch of shoes will go out for delivery.
If you've been looking for a pair of shoes you can change on a whim, these might just be what you've been dreaming about. Check out Oumou Barry's fundraising campaign to learn more about these one-of-a-kind Kickstarter kicks.

When it comes to planning for a trip, one of the more difficult aspects is figuring out what to pack. While it would be nice if you could pack our entire wardrobe, you're probably going to be limited to only a bag or two. This means you have to be careful when choosing what you bring, especially more bulky items -- like shoes. So if you're struggling to figure out which shoes to bring on your trip, ask yourself the following questions.

What's the Weather Going to Be Like?

One of the first things you should think about when deciding on which shoes to bring is the weather. If you're going to be wandering around the 597 square miles of Oahu, you probably don't need your winter boots. But you should always check the weather when you're packing for a trip. If it's going to be sunny the whole time, you could most likely do without any boots or heavier shoes, especially if you want to keep your feet cool. But if the weather calls for rain or snow, you need to bring some warmer shoes. Making sure you have the right shoes for the weather will help keep you comfortable.

Which Activities Are You Going to Be Doing?

Another factor to consider is the kind of activities you're going to be doing on your trip. If you're going to be doing a lot of hiking, walking around, and other excursions that require durable shoes, then make sure you plan accordingly -- bring a pair of hiking boots or shoes and maybe a pair of durable water shoes if you're going to be doing something like climbing waterfalls. Or if you're one of the 58 million people who go to the gym every year and plan to workout on your trip, make sure you bring your gym shoes. On the other hand, if you're going to an all-inclusive resort and don't plan on leaving the pool area, you could probably do with some nice sandals and maybe some dressier shoes for dinner. All in all, thinking about what you're going to be doing on your trip will help you decide which shoes you need.

Which Shoes Are Most Comfortable?

In the end, comfort should always be the main priority when choosing shoes. Whether you're planning on walking along the 3,000 miles of coastline in Ireland or just to the pool from your hotel room, there's nothing that can ruin a fun trip like sore feet. So choose shoes that will keep your feet a comfortable temperature, won't give you blisters, and aren't painful to walk in. In doing this, you can ensure sore feet will be the last thing on your mind, allowing you to truly enjoy your trip.
It's important to bring the right shoes for your specific vacation. So consider the weather and the kind of activities you're doing to ensure you have the best shoes to keep you comfortable throughout the trip.

Just like the makeup industry, many are now discovering what every woman of color knows - Nude has never been for all of us. Thankfully this is now being changed and one of the footwear brands bringing nude for all footwear to the masses is African American Footwear Designer, Jeneba Barrie. Being in the skin that she's in, she is very familiar with the aggravation black women and other women of color have experienced in trying to find the perfect nude pump; and yay!! she has achieved that with her luxury skin-tone shoe line.


This attorney turned footwear designer has launched a 13 nude shade and 2 heel heights (3.5" and 4.1") footwear collection, the most of any footwear brand on the market. The Nappa Leather Collection boasts 9 shoes in shades of Rosé, White Truffle, Satin, Champagne, Silk, Mink, Caviar, Cacao, and Cacao Truffle; and the Suede Collection features Cashmere, Golden Leaf, Saffron and Cognac. Sizes range for the collection is from size 5 to size 10 1/2.


Just like a concealer palette, the Jeneba Barrie Nude Footwear collection offers shoes for light skin tones: Meet Rosé, White Truffle and Satin; medium skin tones: Cashmere, Champagne and Silk; tan skin tones: Golden Leaf, Mink and Saffron; and deep melanated skin tones: Caviar, Cognac, Cacao and Cacao Truffle. All made with 100% sourced Italian leathers. You can currently back the Jeneba Barrie Nude Footwear via their Kickstarter campaign.

Here's a little detour from actual footwear for a wild night of dancing about getting lost in great music from one of our favorite women's shoe brands. Last August, Melissa Shoes brought the best of Brazil to New York City - the music. Brazilian Funk is like no other. This is not your typical James Brown or Parliament-Funkadelic music, the wild and freeing Baile Funk features tamborzão rhythm Miami bass and freestyle.


The coveted plastic shoes and accessories brand, Melissa delivered an immersive party experience like no other. Since debuting last August, Baile Funk is back and packed with more NYC grit and Brazilian passion than ever. The party featured music from MC Fioti (known for his hit, Bum Bum Tam Tam), DJs Venus X, Asmara and more.


Continuing with Melissa’s tradition of supporting female artists, the brand has collaborated with Art Director, Erin Knutson to custom create posters and panels that featured bold airbrushed designs by NYC’s well-known collective, Art of Your Mind. In keeping with the mission of Galeria Melissa NYC, this party will be a canvas for tastemakers to showcase their work.


The Soho venue at 100 6th Avenue was a feast for all the senses – the airbrushed theme continued using t-shirts as a customized canvas, strung along clotheslines above as a visual reference to the urban collage of a virtual favela in Rio de Janeiro. Melissa Baile Funk #2 was directly inspired by underground Brazilian funk music and culture, stamped with a refined-yet-edgy New York flare. The event illustrates Melissa’s unyielding support of the youth culture – merging the Melissa universe.


Created in 1979, Melissa Shoes is recognized worldwide as one of the most innovative footwear and accessories brands, for its design but most importantly for its key raw material, a recyclable PVC (100% cruelty-free!), with an irresistible blueberry scent. To see (ad smell) these outstanding shoes first hand, head to the Galeria Melissa NY store, located at 500 Broadway, NYC.







All Photos by Eli Schmidt

As white as the driven snow, these retro-inspired, Chelsea-style booties boast a hint of moto influence. The Steven Johanna Block Heel Ankle Boots feature a cowhide leather upper, pointed-toe, exposed side zipper closure with buckle detail at ankle and a 2 3/4" block-heel. The versatile, and comfortable-enough-to-be-worn-with-everything ankle boots are a must-have for your closet. Get them in white or black for $149.00 each on www.shopbop.com.

Our favorite kind of shoes are the ones that instantly capture our hearts. It could be a bold color, small detail, or fun aspect like the very chic and fun details on today's Shoe of the Day, the Bernardo Honour Peep-Toe Boots. Perfect for the season transition, these edgy boots add movement to every step, thanks to the two layers of beaded chain fringe at its upper shaft. Every move you make will feel like a dance and you're sure to be comfortable to dance if you want to in this very cool open peep toe design, and its comfortable and stable 3" block heel. Your cool points will increase with these beauties, available now in Black leather, and Bordeaux suede for $295.00 each on www.bernardo1946.com.

Is it fall yet? We're kinda looking forward to the cooler temperatures but since we're still enjoying the last few weeks of summer, it's time to highlight some more seasonal transition shoes, like these Schutz Nicolly Pointed Toe Heeled Mules. The sleek, pointed toe slip-ons boast a wide, sculpted strap across the midfoot, faux leather upper, a stunning bronze color, and a cigarette-thin, 4 1/4" stiletto heel.

We love a dark neutral for the fall season and these will certainly compliment your summer to fall wardrobe. Grab them in your size for $180.00 each at www.shopbop.com.

It's that time again. Time to think about the fall, which is right around the corner. While we're not quite ready to go full on fall footwear, we are very much open to transition footwear. You know, the shoes that you can seamlessly wear now and next month. Today's Shoe of the Day is one of these styles that will take you from summer to fall. The Schutz Rosmari Fishnet Booties boasts everyone's favorite hosiery trend as a design detail - fishnet. The pointed toe Booties features a fishnet mesh upper, tonal cowhide leather trim that frames the back zip, covers the toe box, and the 2 3/4" stacked heel.

Schutz has always created innovative footwear designs and the Rosmari Fishnet is a great example of that. It's going fast, so head over to www.shopbop.com and score your own pair for $290.00.

We've teased you once or twice with highlights of some of our favorite shoes from this gorgeous luxury footwear brand. We know you've loved them, and we're happy to introduce you to more from the Aethon Ulyse Fall/Winter 2017 Luxury Footwear Collection. Their Fall/Winter 2017 collection is changing the way people feel about heels thanks to the brand's technology, rare materials, and stunning shoes.


Designed and handcrafted entirely in Italy, each pair of shoes are built upon unique components like iridescent paneling, mirror studs, mink fur, chantilly lace, and bold suede. From gothic glam revival pieces stacked on swarovski jeweled heels, to fuschia pink Marie Antoinette-esque block heels and seductive cut out ankle booties, the luxury footwear styles from Aethon Ulyse will make you memorable.


To celebrate the latest luxurious collection, Aethon Ulyse held a private viewing at Aire Ancient Baths & Spa where models were painted gold while wearing heels from the new collection, select styles from the collection decorating the exclusive spa, and a harpist setting the mood for an evening of resplendent leisure as guests fawned over the luxury shoes and took advantage of spa services.


Created by Payden Sewell, founder and creative director of Aethon Ulyse, the footwear brand stresses emphasis on long-lasting comfort, offering each pair with a lifetime warranty guarantee. Officially launched in 2016, Aethon Ulyse is inspired by Greek myths and the beauty of different cultures, which you can clearly see in this collection. For more shoes from the collection, check out the slideshow below:



What are your thoughts on the Aethon Ulyse Fall/Winter 2017 Luxury Footwear Collection? Could this be your next footwear obsession? For more information, visit the Aethon Ulyse Facebook page.