Bridal shoes you’ll fall head over heels for.

With Valentine’s Day in the rear view mirror, tis still the season of love.

Whether you’re getting married, getting engaged or just getting ready, shuzsociety.com has rounded up a few frilly wedding shoes. A few may soon become your true love… We know they’re the most important part of your wedding day dress… how else are you going to cut a rug with the in-laws? These aren’t your ordinary wedding shoes—no—because you are no ordinary Bride. From under $100 to over $300, there’s bound to be something to turn heads on your big day.

Pour La Victoire eccentric “Sonya” satin sandal with frilly covered 4 1/2″ heel. They won’t be able to take their eyes off you in these. $166 at Zappos.com.

Martinez Valero “Olivia” ivory satin peep-toe pump with leather outsole and 4 1/2″ heel. $149.99 at Heels.com.

Pour La Victoire “Freya” pointed-toe satin pump with tonal rhinestones and 4″ heel. Ivory. $256 at Zappos.com.

You’ll be pretty in pink in Betsey Johnson’s “Alexandra” mesh open-toe pumps with leather piping and covered 4 1/2″ heel. Nude. $175 at Endless.com.

Calvin Klein “Nixie” updated satin cage sandal with covered 3 1/2″ heel. Ivory. $119.95 at Zappos.com.

Kate Spade “Gracious” peep-toe sandal with exaggerated bow detail, slingback and covered 3 1/4″ heel. Ivory. $325 at Zappos.com.

Nina “Xtina” feathered pumps boast a rhinestone satin spray, almond-toe and 3 3/4″ heel. Ivory. $99.95 at Zappos.com.

Badgley Mischka “Caroline” peep-toe satin pump with exaggerated rhinestones at toe and 4 1/2″ heel. $214.99 at Heels.com.

• • •

Didn’t find a pair that strikes your fancy? Simply click over to shuzsociety.tv, and click on “search our shops.” Choose Bridal shoes ~ white or ivory ~ and let your heart lead the way.

The Bachelor’s Vienna in gold heels…

Ok, I admit, Stephinitely was front-row watching the finalé of ABC’s The Bachelor, albeit alone! Let’s call it “fashion research” shall we? While I’m now hard-pressed to find anything about her shoes online, she donned a very beautiful Carmen Marc Valvo single-shouldered flowing gown. And it was pretty.

If memory serves (and don’t fault ME if it doesn’t because I’m simply having fun here), she sauntered toward him in a gold T-strap sandal… so, in honor of the happy couple… I’ve pulled together a few other steamy shoes worthy of any St Lucia stroll. First, a lady could not go wrong in a pair of vintage-inspired peep-toe pumps by Sergio Rossi. Style: A03541. Perhaps instead of the FIVE cars her Daddy has purchased, she’d rather take these Lime-colored snake-skin platforms for a spin. $999 at Zappos.com.

A pair of woven bird-cage platforms by Moschino, Style: CA1627BC0R, could be very forgiving for anyone trying to get extra mileage out of their pedi. I’m just sayin’. $604.00 at Zappos.com.

A pair of tri-colored daniblack “Romie” sandals would allow Vienna to graduate from Daddy’s “Little Princess” to status of “modern goddess.” $192 at Zappos.com.

And because Vienna is known as the naughty girl, a pair of “Decked Out 2″ suede platforms by Naughty Monkey. The printed-skin wrapped platform is gonna be smokin’ in the Big D! $79.94 at Zappos.com.

Last but not least, Vienna will need a pair  of $#it-kicking heels for her nights in Dallas’ Honky-tonks…How about a pair from another blonde linked to Dallas? Jessica Simpson’s “Koolia” sandal is a fun boot-hybrid. Flashy! And the front-zip provides EASY access. Teehee. $89.99 at Heels.com.

Alice in Wonderland-inspired shoes…

With only a week until Tim Burton’s 3D film Alice in Wonderland hits theaters, you still have plenty opportunity to channel your own inner Alice. Here are a few updates on Alice’s famous Mary Janes… with Alexander McQueen’s Heart-shaped peep-toe “sinister slick” pump you’ll trump any Queen of Hearts. $699 at Zappos.com.

Love. LOVE! Badgley Mischka’s rhinestone-embellished “Elia” satin pump. With their contrasting piping and geo-peep-toe they are simultaneously girlie, sexy and utterly timeless. $204 at Zappos.com.

Or step into Vivienne Westwood’s “Elevated” leather Mary Jane with hidden platform. $558.58 at Zappos.com.

And, because we heart hearts so much, Burberry offers a “confetti hearts” checked-print wedge with ankle strap. Perfect way to enliven your own blue frock dress. $495 at Zappos.com.

Perhaps for the tear-flooded rabbit hole? SEE by Chloé’s beautiful Niagra-hued “radical” rubber boots, Style: SB13040. $199 at Zappos.com.

Or a little something for the Mad-Hatter in you? Marc by Marc Jacob’s rubber triangular-cutout lace-up skimmers, while curiouser and curiouser, are quite interesting, Style: 605187. $95 at Zappos.com.

Oh, alright. While not a shoe (but we couldn’t resist), this “Heart of Gold” bucket bag by Betsey Johnson is pretty darn cute. Even Alice knows how to accessorize. $302 at Zappos.com.

The Girl Soldier Charity Event – February 17, 2010

The Cause

Girl Soldier is a New York based not-for-profit organization with a global perspective, focused on helping to secure basic human rights for girls around the world.

The Event

On February 17, 2010, the first annual Girl Soldier charity event will take place at Studio 385 in Tribeca. The event will raise funding and awareness to aid and benefit young girls and women in war-ravaged Third and Second World countries. It is the hope of Girl Soldier’s sponsors and planners that it will encourage and nurture concern for girls and women without a public voice. By coming together, we can help these girls progress to a safer and more promising future.

The Organization

Girl Soldier is a registered 501c3 (pending) not-for-profit organization that aims to empower charities for women in war-ravaged communities through special projects, counseling and mentorship. Girl Soldier delivers funds to carefully vetted not-for-profit orgvanizations on the ground within these communities.

Sister Caroline & The Film

The event is scheduled to coincide with the filming and release of Girl Soldier (Caspian Pictures) the film, the story of the kidnapping of 139 girls from the St. Mary’s Boarding School in Uganda. The story revolves around the character of Sister Caroline, a nun, and her courageous attempt to free the girls. The film will star
Uma Thurman as Sister Caroline. Prior to the film, a documentary will be released detailing Sister Caroline’s  experiences starting on the night of the kidnapping of the girls and focusing on her campaign to rally the world’s attention. The documentary will also highlight the cause: the horrible prevalence of girls throughout the world having their basic human rights revoked.

How You Can Help

Contact us for more information on how you can help, beyond attending the event. We hope to see you
Februarury 17th, 2010.

info@girlsoldiercharity.com
www.girlsoldiercharity.com

More shoe (size) talk with DesignerShoes.com.

shuzsociety.com enlisted the expert advice of our friends at DesignerShoes.com about how to make sense of women’s shoe sizes. Their mission is to offer trendy, stylish and sophisticated shoes in narrow, medium, wide and extra wide, sizes 4 to 15 and widths AAA (slim) to WW (extra wide). DesignerShoes.com’s  “Ask The Shoe Lady” column answers questions from women all over the world who have a hard time finding shoes that fit their wider feet. Today, they breakdown “width” and how to measure right!

Think of Shoe Volume, Not Length and Width

Most shoes are sold according to length measurements. In the USA shoes are also sold according to width measurements. But shoe fit depends upon how the volume of your foot fits into the empty volume of the inside of a shoe. When you think about it this way….. filling an empty glass with water is like filling a shoe with your foot…. it is easier to understand the importance of considering the width and thickness of your foot when you buy shoes.

Understanding shoe fit is complicated for women because the shapes and styles of our footwear have so much more variety. You may need one size and width for sneakers, and an entirely different size and width for pointy toed, high heel pumps. Sandals or flip flops because they enclose so little of your foot may be the easiest to buy. Whether you need extra wide women’s shoes or extra narrow women’s shoes, it’s a good idea to understand how shoes are made and sized in order to get a good fit.

What Women’s Shoe Width Measurements Mean

Shoe manufacturers have standardized rules for how to measure length but shoe width measurements are much more variable. There is some general agreement that a shoe increases 3/16th of an inch around the circumference of the ball of the foot for every increase in width for the same length. But different manufacturers accomplish the extra width differently, and unfortunately one can never be sure as the manufacturing processes differ even for the same style.

Here are the terms used to measure shoe widths (from the most narrow to the widest):

SS = AAAA = “extra slim” or “quad”, the narrowest size generally available. Even these widths are increasingly rare.

S = AAA = “slim” or “triple”

AA = N = “narrow” or “double A”

M = B = “medium”, the most common or “average” width for that size.

W = C or D = “wide”

WW = EE or EEE = “extra wide”

WWW = EEEE = “triple wide’. These widths are even more rare than the SS widths, although that may change as the rate of obesity increases.

Selecting By Size and Width

Even the width measurements above do not consider the thickness or girth of your foot. They only measure one dimension – an outline of your foot from one side to the other on paper, across the widest part of your foot. Be prepared to buy shoes in several sizes depending on the style you want and whether the length, width or depth of your foot, or overall shape of your foot, is more suitable for the style you want.

DesignerShoes.com had a customer not long ago who was wearing size 11M’s because that was the size she could get her foot into. But the shoes didn’t fit well, or look good. After some experimenting she discovered that her best shoe size was an 8.5WW! She needed the width but was buying the length in order to get the volume she needed in a shoe!

For more details on shoe fit adventures, read Ask The Shoe Lady.

Hard To Find Widths

Seasoned shoe salesmen used to favor customers with very narrow feet. The stereotype was the elegant, rich southern belle who loved to spend money on expensive shoes. Wide feet were considered “peasant” feet and were stereotyped with lower price shoes. In more recent years the stereotype has changed. Very narrow feet are seen to belong to very cranky customers who’s feet are always in pain because they lack cushioning and who try on dozens of shoes but never buy. Wider feet are seen as belonging to healthy, athletic young women who are interested in a variety of sport and comfort shoes and will soon be buying career and party shoes.

Shopping for Ladies’ Shoes by Width

DesignerShoes.com is a big believer in being the Shoe Fairy Godmother for women around the world who have a hard time finding fun, fashionable shoes that fit. So we pay a lot of attention to finding styles and brands that go beyond average sizes and widths to include great styles in longer, shorter, wider and narrower sizes. That’s the mission of DesignerShoes.com. That’s how we got started.

Here are links directly to your woman’s extra wide, WW size

5WW, 5.5WW, 6WW, 6.5WW, 7WW, 7.5WW, 8WW, 8.5WW, 9WW, 9.5WW, 10WW, 10.5WW, 11WW, 11.5WW, 12WW, 13WW, 14WW, 15WW

DesignerShoes.com recommends these brands for WW, extra wide size women’s feet:

Bella Vita

Hush Puppies

Elites

Ros Hommerson

Soft Spots

Walking Cradles

And for WW, extra wide size women’s dressy evening, bridal and dyeable shoes:

Special Occasions

DesignerShoes.com recommends for extra wide women’s boots, including wider shaft widths:

Naturalizer

Choo 24:7 Invites You to Paws For A Cause

Jimmy Choo and Talitha Davies Wegner invite you to discover Choo 24:7 supporting the Brittany Foundation,an organization that cares for dogs with special needs.  Many of the dogs cared for either cannot be placed in new homes because of behavioral or medical conditions, or are not likely to find new homes because of breed, age, or special considerations.

So if you are in Los Angeles area, plan to attend the February 2, 2010, event at Jimmy Choo, 240 North Rodeo Drive.   It’s a wonderful reason to “paws” for a good cause.  Unable to attend, but would like to help?  Visit the Brittany Foundation for more information.

The Truth About Women’s Shoe Sizes

shuzsociety.com enlisted the expert advice of our friends at DesignerShoes.com about how to make sense of women’s shoe sizes.  Our derrieres look different in the same cut of jeans, so why do we expect our feet to “fit” into the “average” sized shoe?   If you have a smaller- or larger-than-average foot … read on sole sista!!

The mission of DesignerShoes.com is to offer trendy, stylish and sophisticated shoes in narrow, medium, wide and extra wide, sizes 4 to 15 and widths AAA (slim) to WW (extra wide).  They are in this business to serve women who need hard-to-find shoe sizes, so they have an objective view of women’s shoe sizes in the footwear industry.

They Manufacture for Average Size Women’s Shoes:

It’s complicated enough buying shoes when some shoes are measured in USA sizes (by the way – this is one of the only size systems that considers the width as well as the length of the foot), some in EURO sizes and some in sizes unique to specific countries (Great Britain, Japan and Australia have their own sizing). But wait, there’s more! Those measurement standards can be interpreted differently by the manufacturer. Are they measuring the last (the frame the shoe is build on), the inside of the shoe or the inside of the shoe minus the 0.6 inches typically allowed for extra room beyond the toes?

If that isn’t complicated enough…. some shoes are designed to fit with less toe room or more toe room – not always considered in the sizing. And those big machines that stamp out the leather in shoe shapes for uppers and soles…. they aren’t necessarily perfectly calibrated to exact standards for adjusting to up to 60 different sizes for EACH style of shoe they cut.

You Wear Extra Small or Extra Large Size Women’s Shoes:

No matter how the shoes are sized when they are manufactured, the challenge is making sure they fit your feet. Shoe measurements, even the shape of shoes, are based on “AVERAGE” proportions. While half the population may have close to average sized and shaped feet, the other half of the population does not! You may have exceptionally short toes (we’re sure they are adorable!) or exceptionally thin, flat, top to sole, feet. Then you are no longer average and can’t trust the manufacturer’s sizing even if it were perfectly correct.

Shoes are designed to curve out around the “ball” or widest part of your foot, then curve in or go straight along the toes. If your toes are shorter or longer than average and if the shoe is shaped for the average foot, then either the shoe will fit at the ball of your foot and your toes will bump the end of the shoe OR the shoe will fit at the ball of the foot but there will be so much room at the toe that your foot will keep sliding forward.

If Your Foot is Not Average – What Do You Do?

Most professional shoe fitters determine your size by the length between your heel and the ball of your foot. The “Brannock Device” that is used to measure foot size is based on this principle. But if you aren’t average, you have to compromise. You may buy a longer shoe to make room for long toes. The “ball” of the shoe doesn’t hit your foot right and so the shoe doesn’t fit quite right. Sometimes the shape of your foot in relation to the shoe will make some shoes gap out around the inner arch. Over time you’ve probably figured out that certain styles work better than others – mary janes vs. flats; slingbacks vs. pumps, for example.

You Are Not Alone!

See the “Ask The Shoe Lady” column with questions from women all over the world who have a hard time finding shoes that fit their longer feet. Our resident Shoe Lady expert provides answers.

Longer Feet Have a Harder Time

If you have longer feet, size 9 or more, you have even more difficulty finding shoes that fit. Buying big shoes in ladies large sizes is a real challenge. First, the shoe industry has been incredibly slow in understanding that size 7 is no longer “average”. The average shoe size for women in the USA in 2009 is size 9. If size 9 is average then shoe manufacturers should be making as many woman’s shoe size 10’s, 11’s and 12’s as they are making sizes 6, 7 and 8. This isn’t happening! We can only hope that the very not average Michelle Obama will influence an increase in production of larger size fashion shoes for women. It is astonishing that the fashion industry loves those willowy 6 ft+ tall models but has no consideration for their large size feet.

Longer feet have still another disadvantage. The size 12, 13, 14, 15 foot is considered a statistical “outlier” by manufacturers. They not only lack both the experience and the equipment to make these sizes well, but when they do make them, the tolerance for error in the sizing is greater. So the error in measurement for a size 7 shoe might be a centimeter. The error in measurement for a size 14 shoe might be 10 centimeters.

Given the additional complications of getting and fitting shoes for longer feet, it is no wonder that most shoe retailers have no interest in carrying and selling these larger sizes! Why go to all that extra trouble if you can sell your shoes to customers with feet that are an average size and shape?

Of course, if you happen to not have average size woman’s feet to begin with, then you might be motivated…. VERY motivated! …. to find and sell women’s fashion shoes in larger shoe sizes! That’s the mission of DesignerShoes.com. That’s how we got started. We will never carry a shoe style unless it comes AT LEAST to size 12!

Here are some brands we recommend for longer, larger size ladies’ shoes:

Forgotten Soles

Ros Hommerson

Samanta

For large, long size women’s dress shoes we recommend:

Special Occasions

Do you leave a larger footprint?  Then visit DesignerShoes.com today!

Shoebox NY “Saja” Winner at Felicia Coley Book Signing Event

Some avid New York shoe lovers didn’t let a little weather stand in their way on December 9th to attend Felicia Coley’s book signing event at Shoebox NY!  The lucky sole who won the “Saja” boot by Shoebox NY was lyesha White.

Take a peek at the evening’s highlights on Felicia’s How To Stylishly Fall From Grace site.

Last week’s shuzsociety announcement about the event …

Attention NYC shoe lovers!  Gather your girlfriends and head to the Shoebox NY this Wednesday, December 9th, for a festive, fabulous and fierce evening with other fashionable women of NYC!   Attend the book signing event with Felicia Coley, 7-9pm, for your chance to win these Shoebox boots!

“Saja” Boot by Shoebox NY
Retail $198

You Are Invited to Attend the Holiday Book Signing of How To Stylishly Fall From Grace A Fictional Memoir Written by Felicia Coley Shoe Blogger and Freelance Writer WHEN Wednesday, December 9, 2009 7PM-9PM WHERE Shoebox NY 3rd Ave. at 77th St. New York, NY 212.535.9615 Come join the fashionable women of NYC for a Festive, Fabulous and Fierce evening! Enjoy refreshments Shop for gifts OR for yourself thoughout Shoebox NY for fabulous footwear Receive giveaways Attend and enter drawing for Shoebox boots! (must be present to win) Know that your book purchase will give heeling power; a percentage from every copy sold will benefit Say NO- UNiTE To End Violence Against Women.

Sponsored by:

Dallas Women Strut Their Stuff For a Good Cause

The Women’s Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, will host the fifth annual Wine, Women & Shoes on Saturday, November 7, 2009. The evening event is packed with wine tastings, live and silent auctions, dinner and a run-way show. All to benefit The Women’s Museum’s continued efforts to inspire a new generation of leaders, one inspiration at a time. Newly added to the list of events is the Men’s Lounge, complete with an exclusive scotch bar by Rémy Cointreau USA, shoe shines and cigar rolling.

Fifth Annual Wine, Women & Shoes Combines Wine and Fashion to Benefit The Women’s Museum

Well-known women Dallasites – who by day run cities, corporations, organizations and fulfill other critical roles – “strut their stuff” on the runway with Judy Ninman Designs presenting The Worth Collection. The Museum also invites “Sole Men” to help with the Saturday program, honoring well-known men from the Dallas area who support the museum and women’s issues in the community.

“It has been fun to watch this event quickly grow into a sold-out Dallas social staple over the past few years,” said Debbie Branson, co-chair of Wine, Women & Shoes. “What better way to raise money for a great cause than an event pairing fashion with wine?”

This year’s models include Gloria Campos, co-anchor WFAA-TV/Channel 8; Janelle Friedman, director of operations and administrator, Friedman & Feiger; Rep. Helen Giddings, Texas State House of Representatives; Chris Hansen, president, Waxahachie Gardeners Limited; Karen Noseff, CEO and founder, Fortune Denim; Kim Peters, founder, Prom Shop Project; Gina Puente-Brancato, CEO/co-founder, Puente-Brancato Enterprises, Inc.; Roxann Swanson, vice president – customer interaction solutions sales, advanced technologies, CISCO; Bernice Washington, president and CEO, BJW Consulting Group, LLC; Trea Yip, CEO, Oriental Accent, Inc.

The “Sole Men” include Lynn Kees, Territory Manager, Greenway Distributors; Herb Lee, Vice President, Resource Flooring Group; Don McNeely, Chairman and CEO, Minority Business News USA-Women’s Enterprise Magazine; Geoff Nixon, Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney; Jace Prows, National Branch, TD Ameritrade, Investment Consultant; Charlie Price, Stylist and Owner, Hair by Charlie Salon; Raja Ratan, Owner, Q Shirt Makers; and, Patrick Ware, Associate Buyer, Assembly Dallas.

Wines from across the United States and other countries have been generously donated by the following wineries and vineyards: Adi, Beth Adams; BR Cohn, Brian Fowler; Cameron Hughes, Rob Eddlemon; Coquerel Family Wine Estate, Brenda Cockrell; Eagle Eye, Bill and Roxanne Wolf; Ironstone Vineyards, Barbara Messer; King Estate, Shelli Brinson; Martellotto Wines, Greg Martellotto; New Age, Danni Simross; Peju, Lisa Peju; Quintessential Wines, Schweiger Vineyards, Alicia Green; and, Grapenutz, Riley Gerber.

“Wine Women & Shoes is a celebration and an opportunity to have fun while supporting the Women’s Museum.” Wanda Brice, CEO of The Women’s Museum said. “We are able to continue our many programs for girls and women because of the generosity of our sponsors and friends.”

Wine, Women & Shoes was made possible by those listed above plus the generous donations from Good News Girlz, Metroplex Cadillac Dealerships, AT&T. A complete list of sponsors is available online at www.thewomensmuseum.org/wws.

About The Women’s Museum
A Smithsonian affiliate, The Women’s Museum is the nation’s only comprehensive women’s history museum that chronicles the lives of American women through interactive exhibits. The Women’s Museum is supported, in part, by the City of Dallas, Office of Cultural Affairs. The Women’s Museum is open to visitors Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. (closed Mondays). For information, call (214) 915-0860 or visit www.thewomensmuseum.org.

PROJECT PEP – You, Your Shoes and 72

Jimmy Choo and the Elton John AIDS Foundation have launched the Project PEP collection to support the Simelela Rape Centre.

Help raise awareness for this worthy cause by entering our photo competition. Upload a photo based on the theme ‘You, Your Shoes and 72′. You could win exclusive prizes and have your work exhibited at the Project PEP launch event at Selfridges London at the end of October.

Why is 72 the key number for this project?

Jimmy Choo announces the launch of Project PEP with the Elton John AIDS Foundation. This project is designed to support the funding of the Simelela centre in South Africa. The vibrant capsule collection features a distinctive and collectible punk rock motif print representing Jimmy Choo’s passionate and individualist spirit.

This cause has particular resonance for Jimmy Choo because of its support and empowerment of women. In 2005 Jimmy Choo Founder and President Tamara Mellon worked with the Elton John AIDS Foundation on a charity auction project ‘Four Inches’ that assisted with the first funding of the Simelela centre.

“We are women helping women and we are proud to continue our collaboration with the compelling and urgent initiatives of the Elton John AIDS Foundation and to provide a voice for under-privileged women in South Africa. We are excited to launch this social media campaign which we believe is a fun, light-hearted way to make people aware of a very serious subject.” – Tamara Mellon, Founder & President, Jimmy Choo.

Jimmy Choo will donate 25% of the net sales from Project PEP to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.  With this funding, the Elton John AIDS Foundation can directly support the pioneering Simelela Rape Centre in Cape Town that was set up in 2005, with the mission to administer victims of abuse with the vital HIV preventative PEP medication (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) and provide the infrastructure for medical, counselling and legal support.

The proceeds raised by Project PEP will enable the clinic to stay open day and night providing 24 hour/7 days a week access to the vital life saving treatment that has to be administered within the first 72 hours of exposure to HIV.

The slogan for the campaign is ‘You, Your Shoes and 72′ and many of the winning images will be showcased at the global launch of Project PEP at Selfridges London on 29th October and at Jimmy Choo Project PEP events globally. Over 100 winners will be chosen to win products from the Project PEP range, with a Grand Prize offering the overall winner 7 pairs of shoes and 2 bags from Jimmy Choo.

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