OLD SOLES

2012-02-01T16:18:00.004Z

Music consultant Lilly Ladjevardi who loves to travel the world in search of music traditions and is curator of music discovery site museradio.fm rarely wears heels. Her 10 year old Blundstone's are functional with a classic design and the Australian soles are a solid piece of craftsmanship. The obvious show of wear and tear to be found is the chewed bits on the elastic band courtesy of her dog when he was a puppy. "They provide me with the comfort of well worn slippers"

2012-01-01T03:29:00.010Z

Tamara Von Schenk's classy accessories for the home which include table mats, drink coasters and trays are a must for tableware chic. Her strong signature style is a combo of sexy bold patterns, textures and lush colours that film director Pedro Almodovar quickly became a fan. Her vintage brown and white brogues are a statement accessory as well. A birthday present 20 years ago, the inside of the sole reads "HARRODS". She says that while wearing these soles she is transported back to the Bugsy Malone/Great Gatsby era where tap dancing is her game. "Shoes make or break an outfit and these surely make my outfit!"

2011-12-04T17:31:00.004Z

The Swiss jewellery designer Cora Sheibani www.corasheibani.com creates eclectic one of a kind signature pieces that balance abstract patterns, shapes, colors and textures. Handmade in Switzerland using precious stones and 18k white gold and yellow gold her collections exude quality and craftsmanship. Her Manolo's are a combination of textures and well heeled craftsmanship too. She found these beauties in the Blahnik London shop. Due to a broken bone in her foot she is unable to wear heels or flats. This semi heel provides classy comfort and diversity. She can wear them with her pared down jeans or an Alexander McQueen gown. "When I wear them I feel light and elegant like a ballerina"

2011-11-01T07:40:00.002Z

The very tall and charismatic Nikos Tsepetis whose hotel Ammos www.ammoshotel.com located in the northwest coast of Crete is a stylish gem wears his DSQUARED soles at all times. He wonders if he should put them in the wash. He finds that his shoe size of 47 (but with DSQUARED 46) is a Greek tragedy because he is unable to find nice shoes. "I have bought 3 pairs in the same colour and store them for the difficult times (Greek bankruptcy and return to the drachma)"

2011-10-03T09:27:00.003+01:00

Musical theater star Frances Ruffelle www.francesruffelle.com who originated the role of Eponine in Les Miserable winning a Tony award for her performance remembers nearly falling off these Westwood's while performing on The Top Of The Pops. Always into Vivienne Westwood since she was fifteen she bought these towering platforms at the Conduit st. shop for her appearance on the show. "I always wanted to perform on TOTP and my dream came true wearing them" They now live on her mantle piece and her daughter Eliza Doolittle has been photographed wearing them. "They are my works of art!!!" she says

2011-09-01T08:46:00.003+01:00

The English singer songwriter Eliza Doolittle www.elizadoolittle.com is obsessed with Nike Blazers. A new addition to her ever growing collection are these Rubik Cube creations discovered in a shop in LA this past spring. Inspired by the world famous 3-D mechanical puzzle invented by Emo Rubik thirty years ago she says " I'm unable to solve the puzzle in real life so these soles have already done it for me!"

2011-08-01T18:50:00.006+01:00

These vintage tattered distressed golden leather soles caught the eye of former ballerina and now actress Naomi Sorkin www.naomisorkin.com at a vintage fair in London. "I wore them until they fell apart". Naomi who also designs interiors and jewellery www.naomitatedesigns.com and www.naomitate.co.uk believes the shoes are from the late 20's. She has always identified with the periods between 1910-1930. Everything about those times are an inspiration to her. The romance, the drama and the fashion has always been her calling. "It is a period in history that feels as if I should have been there and these shoes transport me to that special time".

2011-07-01T09:11:00.002+01:00

These magical silver Vivienne Westwood Maryjanes's belong to Interior Decorator Sera Hersham Loftus www.seraoflondon.com. Bought as a gift by the club promoter Philip Salon, they have encountered hurricanes and mudslides while Sera was vacationing in St Lucia 3 years ago. They are her equivalent to trainers and they live by her front door. "They are too comfortable for words and I just LOVE the sexy heels!"

2011-06-01T07:29:00.002+01:00

To go with her wedding dress, Hannah Plumb the other half of the eclectic interior design duo JamesPlumb www.jamesplumb.co.uk loved the fact that these vintage look-a-like beauties actually fitted! They were discovered in Chiswick, London inside the shop windows of the Swedish brand NOA NOA. Sturdy but yet female these t-strap mary-janes have traipsed the alleyways of Venice and partied hard while remaining elegant and bringing her utmost joy. "The sound of their soles as they hit the pavements remind me of my wedding day... running around Piazza San Marco dodging puddles in torrential rain!

2011-05-01T16:20:00.002+01:00

These wearable art shoes where discovered by actor, writer, producer and director Lawrence Fishburne while strolling down 57th street in New York City in 1997. Attracted to soles that express an attitude rather than follow a classic route he felt Warhol's Campbell Soup recognizable image was most unusual in terms of seeing it on someone's feet. He feels that woman have so many choices regarding variety that men do not so these bought out his inner child and the fit was just right. Quoting Goldilocks he says" His Campbell Soup's dont make his feet look too big... they dont make his feet look too small... they make his feet look just right.

2011-04-01T21:26:00.005+01:00

These hand-stitched gems where discovered in the south of France 8 years ago by James Russell the other half of interior design duo JAMESPLUMB www.jamesplumb.co.uk
These well crafted shoes with their well worn leather and no heel allow for a weightlessness that keeps James low to the ground and connected. He has always struggled with the usual Brogue or Loafer style shoe and finds solace in the caressing nature that these bring to his feet. "I dont feel like Im wearing shoes...they're not foreign bodies but second skin"

2011-02-27T18:09:00.002Z

Fashion consultant and TV producer Nancy Garcia brought her 30's cha cha wedges from a dealer in Sag Harbor, NY. She believes they were once worn by a showgirl who became a princess. She has shown them off wearing her gold Anna Sui ensemble. They are a little bit of tack and a little bit of luxury. "Big steps are definitely not recommended while wearing these gems only small little sexy dance one's!"

2011-01-01T16:21:00.002Z

Actress Gina Torres always wanted the dress. THAT iconic Pucci dress with the wacky psychedelic patterns of pink, reds and oranges. Then one day she's at Saks 5th avenue shoe sale looking through the racks and there they were! Pucci's in a classic sling back style supported by a silver stilleto heel. Orgasmic! She broke them in doing the salsa at the supper club El Floridita in LA with her dad. She says" I always feel like there is a great night ahead when I wear them. Sounds like a lot of power to give to a shoe, doesn't it? Then again, you've never had them on"

2010-12-02T09:42:00.002Z

Fashion Consultant and Author of "I Love Your Style" Amanda Brooks www.iloveyourstyle.com wore these lush purple Yves Saint Laurent's during a quiet period in her life. Found at a Santa Monica flea market the shoes have only been worn once. Paired with lilac printed trousers and a beaded floral lilac top to the opening of painter Ann Duong's show at the Shafrazi Gallery in New York, European Vogue editor at large Hamish Bowles loved the look and commented on how she reminded him of a lilac garden. She loves having them in her wardrobe and finds them mysterious due to the life they had before she discovered them. "They are Grandma Chic and make me smile!"

2010-11-08T19:42:00.002Z

Two years ago, Set Designer Carrie Louise's www.carrielouise.com birthday present from her mum and dad were these leather and linen Bertie oxfords. She says that they remind her of bowling shoes. "For me they have the comfort of the trainer molded into a classic shoe form"

2010-10-10T11:40:00.003+01:00

Found at Portobello Market in London 10 years ago these soles belong to makeup artist Niky Buckland. She feels connected wearing these pink vintage kitten heels. " They cost me 50 pence!"

2010-10-10T11:17:00.005+01:00

Stylist Isabella Graf bought these Havania's in Sao Paolo after having been in a motorbike accident. Unable to wear proper shoes she accumulated over 25 pairs because she could personalize them to suit her specific mood and outfits. She says about her soles "Im addicted!"

2010-10-10T11:05:00.003+01:00

These soles owned by photographic agent Franziska Holzer www.holzerwiroth.com were bought in Paris during the cold winter months. Not having the patience for the warmer weather to arrive she wore them with wool socks waiting for summer to show it's face. " These are my never ending summer soles!" she says.

2010-10-10T10:43:00.006+01:00

Bought some time ago in Milan by TV presenter and model Zara Martin www.zaramartin.com these Barbara Bui soles have been resoled and re heeled at least 5 times. These are lowest heels she owns and wears them to work and events because of their comfort factor. " I only wish I could find a new pair with a few extra inches added to the heel!" she says.

2010-10-10T10:22:00.006+01:00

Designer Duro Olowu www.duroolowu.com found these soles in Jeddha. Made by the same people who make the soles worn by the Saudi Arabian royals he says" I feel my feet being loved whenever I wear them!"

2010-09-28T07:37:00.009+01:00

The seller at London's Spitafields market did not want to sell these soles that belong to set designer Robert Storey www.storeystudio.com But Robert got his way and while in New York was approached by designer Phillip Lim who borrowed them and took inspiration for his own shoe collection. Robert says" I just aspire to have as much soul as my shoes do!"

2010-09-26T20:39:00.005+01:00

Photographer, Creative Director and Editor in Chief of online men style magazine Jock&Nerds www.jocksandnerds.com Marcus Ross boasts that his old English brand LOAKES used to get alot of attention especially when he wore them without shoelaces. Bought in 2009 from J Simons in Covent Garden he says "It gives me a bit of a strut"

2010-09-26T20:23:00.003+01:00

Shoe designer Katarina Mutic of Mootich made these soles for the first time in 2001 as part of her American Early Cartoon collection but despite their beautiful craftsmanship they were a total financial failure. She reintroduced them 5 years later and success at last. "I guess it's something to do with timing" she says

2010-09-08T08:26:00.002+01:00

Bought 15 years ago in Paris, Artist Liz Rideal www.lizrideal.com thought as she walked into Maud Frizon's shop that she would never be able to afford what was on display. But she says with a pure sense of satisfaction" The very sandals I wanted were waiting for me... in my size!!!!!!"

2010-09-08T08:01:00.004+01:00

Organic food caterer Francois Duclos Puma's were bought on Portobello Road in the early 90's twice. The first pair were destroyed by too much boogie! He swears "These shoes put a spring in my step!"

2010-08-25T18:26:00.002+01:00

Bought in 1992, these Prada's have traveled from Rome to Rio. Owned by graphic designer Debi Ani www.orodesign.co.uk She has never needed another evening shoe. They spell luxury and are made of satin silk and velvet, beautifully crafted and truly posh. "A bit dolly, a bit granny, a bit clunky and very sexy! says Debi

2010-08-03T04:24:00.008+01:00

Bought in Kenya, these desert boots owned by jewelery designer Pippa Small www.pippasmall.com signify the nomadic ideal of walking. As a child she always wore boots because they felt light and protective. Pippa does not do prissy pointy! It's all about being versatile and functional. " They are my liberating shoes"!

2010-07-20T16:25:00.008+01:00

Artist Fredie DeCombe mentions that when thinking about shoes, there is no way one might picture this specimen of Margiela's. These shoes crystallise what is for her a wearable piece of art. They are versatile. They can be worn in an ordinary and functional way, the foot fitting into its beautiful, sexy pink and gold protective shell supported by it's copper high heel. Or you can place your foot on it with a slight sense of irreverence, sliding the chunky industrial rubber elastic band over the bridge of the foot and creating a very comfortable sandal. Fredie says "They make you think of what a shoe is" ... Martin, can I dance with you?

2010-07-16T16:12:00.005+01:00

Robert de Niet an academic and Art Director of www.velourmagazine.com
was gifted with these Westwood rocking horse shoes as a birthday present by his girlfriend in 1998. Inspired by the quintessential golf shoe they were made to order in black but no such order was ever placed so the sample pair in navy were bought instead... a lucky accident. "I feel special when I'm wearing them. They are my mood altering shoes"

2010-07-05T18:16:00.006+01:00

These ex dancing shoes were found in a charity shop years ago by the stylist Emma Freemantle www.wornwithlove.co.uk who was entranced by the wonderful hue that they possess. She customised them by adding a colorful array of buttons on the elastic strap and calls them her musical shoes. "I love walking down the street and listening to the sounds that the taps make which makes me want to dance"