Fashion Models and the Hottest Designer Trends

The spring/summer 2010 campaign for footwear label Vagabond brings us a campaign in the beautiful outdoors of Paris and historical Versailles shot by photographer Bersa. The campaign features male model Oscar Spendrup of Ford Europe, who recently appeared in campaigns for Sisley and Tiger of Sweeden, and 16-year-old Swedish newcomer Frida Gustavsson of IMG, who recently appeared in editorials for Vogue Italy and W, in action poses. Styled by Sofie Dillon, Frida is shown in animal print leggings with pink heels, a blue animal print dress with tan lace-up wedges, and a yellow sundress with tan wedges and nude socks while Oscar is in a velvet blazer with gray shoes, a gray jean blazer and pants with blue sneakers, and a brown shirt with black slip-on shoes.

Continuing with their summer tradition, the theme for Gap shoes this summer is all about “Brand Americana” with floral, folk rock, homegrown, and white-on-white styles designed once again by Balenciaga designer Pierre Hardy. The three-featured designs from the collection include scarf-tie wedges, cork-soled peep-toes, and lace-up denim platforms going for $98 per pair. The collection will be available at select Gap stores and at Gap.com starting May 4th.

Recently, Jimmy Choo and the Australian shoe brand, Ugg Boots, have officially announced their collaboration in a limited edition capsule collection of sheepskin boots designed with the signature details of Jimmy Choo that will be released this October. Although it is quite difficult to visualize what these two very different brands will create, this just might be the push that Ugg Boots need to stay afloat with the hot trends as we entire the new decade.

Hopefully, with the help of Jimmy Choo, Ugg Boots will be in fashion again and we can all whip those $100+ warm sheepskin boots out from under our closets.

One of the oddest things to come off the high fashion runways this season must be the striking “Lobster Claw” shoe from Alexander McQueen.

Now, You either love this or hate it, doesn’t really seem to be much in between. I think it’s HOT!

10 inch stilettos are hot for sure. You are already walking on your toes in these babies. Alex, added a spin to the overdone platform by rounding the top of the shoe to make a clunky, but stylish, shoe that reminds one of the lobster claw.

Many designs of Alexander McQueen are daring, not to mention a bit tough to wear in real life. Don’t get me wrong, they are stunning on the runway for sure and the decorations on the shoes are “to die for”. However, the Lobster claws seem to have transcended the “runway only” phase and may even be on their way to becoming a trend. People have been spotted wearing them, not many, but that may not matter when you have such trendsetters as Lady Gaga sporting them.

Actually,  Lady Gaga and Daphne Guinness were both spotted in their own “Lobster Claws” last month.

Will this be a trend? Will this be the next big thing in shoes? Maybe not, but they are just so COOL! I want a pair.

Alexander McQueen’s spring/summer 2010 campaign is a wild mixture of bold neon colors, beauty, and snakes galore! 26-year-old Brazilian model Raquel Zimmermann of DNA, who recently appeared in Vogue Paris, W, and Vogue Brazil, is the face that stands out in a sea of snakes crawling all over her shot by photographer Nick Knight. With Raquel in a bright, flower print bodysuit sporting those 10” lobster heels in green, this campaign definitely stands out from the sea of talented designers.

Continuing with the massive collaboration trend this year, Giorgio Armani and Reebok are teaming up to create a co-brand, EA7, and an Emporio Armani/Reebok collection. The beginning of their collaboration began with a footwear collection, which debuted in Emporio Armani’s menswear show at Milan Men’s Fashion Week, showcasing a highlighter yellow EA7/Reebok high-tops. Other than a footwear collection, the line will include an apparel collection blending style and innovative technology. Beginning in July, the collaborated collections will be available globally in Emporio Armani boutiques as well as select Reebok concept stores and retailers.

The designer of this collaboration said, “Today, sportswear and activewear have become really important parts of our wardrobes. I wanted to offer my customers the possibility of wearing sports clothes that were stylish and comfortable. My new alliance with Reebok is a natural consequence of this philosophy.”

Going along with the countless collaborations this year, Lacoste is joining forces with New York City brand Married to the Mob revamping Lacoste’s Hironia Sneaker. This new Hironia Sneaker received a sexy lace treatment overlaying a metallic violet or a metallic gold base with black laces, black lining and soles, and red outsoles matching the red Married to the Mob lips on the inner heel. The sneakers will be going for $120 a pair hitting Lacoste boutiques and the Married to the Mob website starting the week of Valentine’s Day.