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By sally, July 8, 2010 1:57 pm

LADIES, breathe a sigh of relief. After seasons of teetering on towering stilettos, battling with abstract wedges and navigating the perils of platforms, spring/summer brings an end to the balancing act. Welcome the new low heel.

We know, they haven’t always scored high on the lust front, but with Chloe, Stella McCartney, Marni and Missoni pioneering the new heel height you can expect to be impressed. Chloe’s take their shape from a pirate boot, with wide saddle leather buckled straps, while Marni’s bronze and black suede sandals make a great evening option, and Missoni’s boast a wooden sole (jump on the bandwagon; wooden soles are everywhere this season).

Warning: once tried, you’ll never want to wear heels again.

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By sally, July 7, 2010 3:13 pm

The Haute Couture Fashion Week has begun and the high fashion market has posted some very positive sales news. Top Parisian labels, including Chanel, Dior and Jean Paul Gaultier, have revealed a marked increase in both sales and demand. ”We have received so many orders, we are not sure we can deliver them,” said Dior ceo Sidney Toledano. “The demand is here. The number of clients has increased – they are looking for high quality, and haute couture is the summit. I’m very optimistic for the future,” he continued. “In the business of couture, the numbers are becoming interesting. The rise has been credited to an influx of orders from China, the Middle East and Russia. Chanel has seen a rise “between 20 and 30 per cent” over the past year.

“There is no end of the season,” said Bruno Pavlovsky, president of fashion at Chanel to WWD. “The people who are interested in couture, they are quite active at the moment. They can come at any time.”

Kicking off this week’s shows today are Bouchra Jarra, Dior, and new comer Axelis Mabille. Tomorrow sees new offerings from Armani Prive, Chanel and Givenchy – the last time the label will show its highest end collections in catwalk format after it opted to conduct individual appointments. Elie Saab, Gaultier and Valentino will round up the event. This year’s event will also see the introduction of jewellery on the official couture schedule. Van Cleef & Arpels and Chanel Joaillerie will both present their new collections.