StyleSpy with Katrina Szish

Marc Jacobs' iconic "mouse" shoe is officially celebrating it's 10th, although the designer has offered countless charming and increasingly figurative incarnations during the decade.

As a means of celebrating the shoe's icon status, Jacobs did what only Jacobs can do:  He masterminded a collaboration so brilliant that it ensures the (limited) anniversary edition will transcend mere icon status. 

This shoe isn't a shoe -- it's art. 

Jacobs enlisted the help of my most-revered urban artist, KAWS (aka Brian), to craft the latest mouse flat.  KAWS is known for his postmodern graffiti art, some of which resembles Mickey Mouse.  Thus, in addition to his automatic hip-factor, he is a man who knows mice.  Well played, Marc.

Only 200 pairs of the black flats exist worldwide, and they are available immediatement at Paris' drool-inducing Colette.

Whether or not you collect KAWS pieces (like I do), I don't know that I would recommend wearing these shoes.  Just display them on your vanity or bookshelf, and keep the packaging should you ever want to auction them "MIB" on Ebay...or at Sotheby's.

Until now, my all-time favorite Marc Jacobs collaboration was with Takashi Murakami for Louis Vuitton.  I bought myself an original cherry blossom monogram bag and managed to get Mr. Murakami to sign it at a gallery opening (a "vintage" snapshot from the 2003 event with my apparently very serious and very scruffy friend Michael Taylor). 

To my nearly uncontainable delight, he not only signed the bow-clad bag (pictured above!), but he DREW A PICTURE on the inside flap.  Needless to say, that bag doesn't get out much.  Who needs a retirement fund when you've got that baby stashed away?!

My weekend plans?  A visit to www.Colette.fr followed by a Vespa ride across the Williamsburg Bridge to track down the artist...and a signature. 

You've already seen them in the Sex and the City movie, but wouldn't it be more fun to see them on your feet?

I recently had the sheer and utter pleasure of road-testing the metallic snakeskin version of these vertiginous, gutsier-than-gladiators spikes for a television shoot (to air in October...stay tuned for more details) and at my favorite NYC haunt, the Rusty Knot.  On both occasions, they drew oohs and aaahs.  One sole-sister even ran down the street to tell me that she had been desperately seeking the black ones.

Well, here they are:


Dior extreme cutout sandal at Bergdorf Goodman, $780

I'm loving this Sergio Rossi "splash patent paintdrip peep toe" (try saying that five times fast), because it allows you to partake in this season's painterly trend without looking artsy-craftsy.

$495 at Sergio Rossi

What shoe are YOU lusting after??  Send me a link!  I'll feature the hottest pair right here on STYLE SPY next week...

Reminder: Fantasy trumps practicality

THIS JUST IN FROM MR. HUSBAND: VANS "PAINT DRIP SLIP" Sk8-Hi


Check out KicksOnFire for more info



NO WONDER WE MAKE SUCH A PERFECT PAIR...(har)

Like last week's Louboutin cork/patent combo, this straw/patent juxtaposition downplays the dominatrix vibe of these Bruno Frisoni stilettos.

Go on, indulge your love of the natural textiles trend!  $1,045 at Vivre.

Christian Louboutin shoes always stop traffic, but these sexy architectural-heeled babies are so rubber-neck-worthy they just may cause gridlock.   I love the mix of the natural cork with the red patent leather.  Plus, as far as I'm concerned, the higher the heel the better.  These boast a 4 3/4-inch stiletto wedge.

$835 at Neiman Marcus

Disclaimer:  The Shoe of The Week is chosen because it is either beautiful, artistic, fantastical or otherwise lust-worthy in my eyes.  Comfort, potentially dangerous heel heights, price and practicality do not factor into the selection process.  Remember:  fashion is fun!

There are few wardrobe staples more satisfying than shoes with a split personality...



Alexander McQueen fabric pumps, $749 at Zappos.com


Sweet but sexy. 
Dainty yet dangerous. 
Minnie Mouse marries Marilyn Manson...'till death do us part.

I have never been to Alaska, but if all the shoes there look like this, I'm moving.  Ok, not really.  BUT, I did just add these Jimmy Choo "Alaska" sandals to my collection, and I generally don't even like low-heeled shoes.  The siren song of the iridescent green wedge heel and the contrasting wrap-around straps seduced me like a lonely sailor.  Or at least like a girl who loves shoes.

$545 at select Jimmy Choo boutiques

That's what I call it, anyway.
Stella McCartney calls it the "beaded wedge slide."

$1165 at NeimanMarcus.com


Either way, it's art.


p.s.
Today kicks off (ha) Style Spy's SHOE OF THE WEEK feature (and you thought it was just St. Patrick's Day).  I love shoes -- sometimes if only to gaze at in longing and admiration -- and so should you.