I don’t remember much about buying these shoes, but I do remember questioning whether they were hot or not. In the end I bought them because they were just too odd to pass up. Over the years, I’ve been too shy to wear them, but too fascinated to toss them!

As it turns out, my funky heels came in handy as I was getting ready for last week’s Tana Spring 2012 Shoe Trends event at Black Moon Lounge. Not only was fashion guru Adrian Mainella hosting it, but there was also a competition for the best shoes. To my surprise, Mainella picked my kooky vintage kicks as the best of the evening! (I won against a pair of Balenciagas and Calvin Kleins!) I won a gift card for Browns Shoes and a basketful of awesome Tana shoe care products!

As I was digging through my newly acquired booty, I felt guilty. Like most folks, I don’t mind dropping big bucks on shoes, but I tend to be lax in the care department. I instantly fell in love with the Tana® Shine Sponge in neutral, since I can give my shoes a quick high gloss shine, before I head out the door! I’m also looking forward to cleaning my summer shoes with the Universal Sandal Care before I put them away for the season. Thank you Tana!

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, UGG Australia has transplanted a new, ritzy locale in T.O, but these Uggs are like none you’ve seen. The new Toronto Yorkville boutique (23 St. Thomas Street) houses a really, foot-worthy collection of boots and shoes – there’s the popular puffy slipper styles we’ve been seeing for years, but here there’s also so many gorgeous well-made boots in premium leathers and suede with wool, sheepskin, cable knits and shearling.

The new UGG Collection, available for men and women, is handcrafted in Italy – known for fine craftsmanship, superior materials and elegance – and boy does it show! Prices, however also reflect the new line with boots from about $300-$1800. Also part of the new offerings in the new store is handbags, woolly sweats and accessories.

pics via UGG Canada and Oscar Mach via Lotus Leaf Communications

I have to tell you about these shoes. And to be honest, if I wasn’t already obliged, I might keep just keep them to myself!

Unassumingly dapper, equally comfortable, priced amazingly and even ethically contrived, Urshuz is a revolutionary approach to footwear. Currently the styles available are only made in men’s sizes, but once the women’s line is launched (I hear it’s in the works and I hope it’s similar to the men’s), I’ll be joining the revolution!

Urshuz, conceived by Canadian shoe designer Grant Delgatty (K-Swiss, Vans, et al.), is an interchangeable shoe. That is, a combination of uppers and soles that you can attach or reattach to each other, creating a different shoe every time! Both uppers and soles come in a variety of colors and materials (leather, suede, jute) for you to essentially mix and match. Popular combos are a grey lace-up sneaker with a bright orange sole or a leather low-cut shoe with a ‘baltic’ blue sole – but with the creative freedom to choose your own shoe combo at a great price, you can interchange however you like!

My man received a beautiful cognac colored (sienna) leather pair of low-cuts with a co-ordinating cork sole, exactly his style! Not only do they look pricey with the premium leather and perforated lining, the ergonomic thermo plastic rubber sole is apparently “moccasin-comfy”, so he says. And the combination costs $75US! Awesome! For Christmas I’m considering the perforated white sneaker for $40 and because the sole is so comfortable, the attachable flip flop upper come summer.

“Unassumingly dapper, equally comfortable, priced amazingly and even ethically contrived, Urshuz is a revolutionary approach to footwear.”

Urshuz uppers and soles are interchangeable using a patented looping system – elastics that loop onto locking channels in the soles making it easy to attach and reattach. Once you get your groove on (using a little tool that hides in the sole), you can assemble a shoe in a few minutes. Even if you don’t want to do the labour yourself, you can get another pair of Urshuz at about $65 for top and bottom. And then, when you’ve had enough, Urshuz has a recycling program for your old soles.

In Canada, Urshuz is available in select stores in Quebec but can be easily purchased online. In the US, several Urban Outfitters are carrying the line, which means we’ll likely be hearing more about the brand. Find all stores online >

This is super cool – and totally a step forward for Canadian fashion when one of our leading shoe manufacturer/retailers – ALDO – provides an opportunity for some of our best fashion designers – Greta Constantine and DUY – to self design the footwear for their show and then have them made! Unfortunately the shoes are NOT available for purchase – but are available for editorial.

Of course this happens all over the world for many international designers, but as we all know, it’s been a struggle year after year to get mega sponsorship dollars for fashion in Canada (although Greta Constantine seems to be doing quite well!).

Greta Constantine

“Inspired by their constantly evolving world, Greta Constantine’s FW 2011 collection by Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong opens up a universe without any time and space constraints.

To create the FW 2011 ALDO collection for  GRETA CONSTANTINE, Kirk and Stephen drew their inspiration from the Russian Ballet Company and its rich Asian heritage. This invitation to travel features a collection of cosmopolitan and colourful shoes and boots, daring prints and elaborate ornaments. Wedge heel shoes, boots and ankle boots make up this deep-coloured collection (in shades of slate, anthracite, purple, cobalt blue, aubergine and black), highlighted by intricate ornaments (leather, knit, fur and melton). An opulent and precious collection, which emphasizes the talent of its designers.”

DUY

Daphne Guiness: couture collector and muse

“Titled «Long Live Daphne», Duy Nguyen’s Fall-Winter 2011 collection is a tribute to this aristocratic world figure of fashion and her eclectic and refined tastes.

This collection of elegant and slightly rebel shoes and accessories pays homage to his Muse, her sophistication and distinctive sense of aesthetics. Faithful to her vision, the various pieces of this collection integrate the elements that made Daphne Guinness famous: leather, textured materials (python, lace), prints (leopard) and fur (pony), caramel hues and dark shades (grey and black). The FW 2011 ALDO collection of shoes and accessories for DUY is an stunning blend of radical chic, flexibility and accessibility. A collection which truly combines modernism, sophistication and elegance.”

Who knew….Peep-toe wedges $195 and amazing lace up boots $195. In select GAP stores October 19, 2010.