Donald Pliner
Bringing to mind ripples on water or an oil slick on a wet city street, this fall season’s crinkled, iridescent patents have hit the women’s boot scene in a big way.
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Image Credit: Kate Nishimura -
Andre Assous
Image Credit: Kate Nishimura Wet patent’ is reminiscent of ‘90s style and grunge, as opposed to regular patent that’s a little more tailored,” said Shena Louissaint, a representative for Andre Assous.
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Ouigal
Image Credit: Kate Nishimura Lending depth and texture to a classic material, “wet patent” is edgier than the original.
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Cappalletti
Image Credit: Kate Nishimura Animal prints and skins never seem to fall out of favor, but this autumn, they’ll be kicked into high gear.
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Vicenza
Image Credit: Kate Nishimura “This is the boldest trend of the fall season,” said Rafaela Furlanetto, designer for Italian women’s brand Vicenza.
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Gioseppo
Image Credit: Kate Nishimura Tiger and zebra stripes are especially prevalent in women’s dress and casuals, along with snake, croco, leopard and cheetah. Many styles incorporate more than one print, creating an exotic patchwork.
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Cougar Hiker
Image Credit: Kate Nishimura “We’re putting an urban spin on cold weather fashion,” said Steve Sedlbauer, president of Cougar. Undoubtedly one of the most pervasive trends of the fall season, iterations of the platform hiker boot vary in form and functionality.
Cougar’s styles feature treaded outsoles, insulated leather uppers and fur and shearling linings to protect against the cold. The platform element is more aesthetic, Sedlbauer admits. Influenced by the streetwear trend, exaggerated outsoles are giving outdoor brands a chance to appeal to city-dwellers.
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Cappalletti
Image Credit: Kate Nishimura Fashion brands are also getting in on the hiker trend, albeit with a different capacity to handle the elements.
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Inuikii
Image Credit: Kate Nishimura Swiss brand Inuikii pulls its name from the Inuit words for “beautiful” and “cold.” Its line of sneaker-boot hybrids are designed for fashion and warmth, in that order.
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Donald Pliner western
Image Credit: Kate Nishimura The cowboy boot has been updated for city living. Ankle booties, stillettos and mules pull influences from the iconic equestrian style.
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Alormae
Image Credit: Kate Nishimura Elaborate swirling embroidery is abstracted and modernized, cutouts are common, and Texas stars are a recurring motif.
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Vicenza
Image Credit: Kate Nishimura Western influences have been subtly incorporated into contemporary boot silhouettes for a while now, but this fall they will permeate nearly every category of women’s footwear.
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United Nude
Image Credit: Kate Nishimura “A chair leg or a crumpled piece of paper can be a source of inspiration,” said Lenis Lozano of United Nude’s inventive array of heel shapes. The Dutch brand’s silhouettes are inspired by architecture and everyday objects, she added.
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Ouigal unique heel shape
Image Credit: Kate Nishimura This fall, many brands are playing with unusual heels, from inverted cones to spheres, multi-faceted blocks and curved “banana heels.”
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Vicenza unique heel shape
Image Credit: Kate Nishimura The heel is the” refresher” of the fall season, adding a flare to the entire aesthetic of the shoe.