Coutorture

Fashion In 50 Seconds 04/30/09 Met Gala Rumors & More

coutorture — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 07:07:23 -0700

A rumor is circulating that some models will have to pay a $7,500 entrance fee to attend Monday's Met gala.

Mango has announced Jin Youn Lee the winner of its second annual design competition.

Christian Siriano's shoes for Payless will not look on shelves as they did on the runway (or the press preview).

Matthew Williamson's fete for the coming of his H&M range involved pina coladas and a performance by Grace Jones.

Lela Rose Talks About Weddings (And Her Bridal Shoe Range For Payless)

coutorture — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:53:28 -0700

Bridal Insider: Unforgettable Advice from Lela Rose from Payless Videos on Vimeo.

Lela Rose showed off her collab savvy at New York Fashion Week this season with her Lela Rose for Payless shoe range. Now that bridal season is upon us, the designer decided to expand on her relationship with Payless by creating a range of bridal shoes that can be dyed in 64 different shades. The collection, called Unforgettable Moments, retails for around $50. Check out the video where Lela Rose talks about the new collection.

Payless Makes Multiple Appearances At Fashion Week

coutorture — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 07:34:45 -0800

Clockwise from top left: Lela Rose, Alice Olivia, Abaete, Christian Siriano

The Payless collaborations were in full swing this season, making catwalk appearances at Lela Rose, Alice + Olivia, Christian Siriano, and Abaete shows. The Lela Rose range was significantly more demure than the other three--which may convince a high school-er or two that six inch platforms with spikes on the front are perfect for prom. Our favorites? The Payless Abaete ankle boots with chains wrapped around the front.

Low-Fi Offerings From New York Fashion Week

coutorture — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:41:20 -0800

Left, Catherine Holstein, Right, Abaete

No, we're not talking about our grainy photos, we're talking about instances of real-life affordability on the catwalks. Last night, at Catherine Holstein's presentation, we were told that the designer's price point has lowered this season. While there were some murmurs of criticism, most of the young gals were talking hurriedly about which pieces they would buy. As for other examples, we saw Abaete's Payless range on the catwalk just a few hours ago. To us, the chain-wrapped ankle boots and platforms looked just as chic and, at times, difficult to walk in, as anything.

Coutorture Community Must Reads 01/26/09

coutorture — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:01:40 -0800

The Budget Babe has the scoop on a pair of Abaete for Payless gladiator heels which retail for only 38 dollars.

Handmade Detroit makes Valentine's Day cards for Fred Flare's Valentines For A Cause promotion.

Shiny Squirrel loves the vibrant mixed prints in a photograph by William Eggleston.

The Shoe Goddess reports on the opening of a Browns concept store that will benefit shoe lovers worldwide.

Payless Designer Collaborations Holiday 2008

coutorture — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:02:42 -0800

Perhaps the most generous of all collaborations is that of Payless and the designer-after all, where else could you go Collab Mad for less than twenty dollars? This holiday/resort season Payless worked with Patricia Field, Abaete, and Lela Rose on capsule collections that cover club hopping, island hopping, and black tie hopping respectively. To see the Payless/Holiday line sheets, click here.

Payless Designer Line Sheets Holiday 2008

coutorture — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 05:37:44 -0800

Holiday and resort line sheets from Payless.

Payless Goes Eco Friendly With Summer Rayne Oakes

coutorture — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 06:15:14 -0700

Payless ShoeSource announced today plans to launch the first-ever affordable green footwear line due in stores early next year and that it has signed an agreement with Summer Rayne Oakes to serve as the green footwear brand's Eco Consultant. Oakes is the Discovery Network's Planet Green fashion and beauty expert and author of Style, Naturally: The Savvy Shopping Guide to Sustainable Fashion & Beauty.

The greening of fashion across the board has led to significant increases in interest and sales in the category and Payless throwing their hat into the ring is sure to have as big an impact as Wal-Mart's decision to begin selling organic cotton tee-shirts when it became the biggest buyer of organic cotton in the world virtually overnight.

We appreciate that they did not go the Te Casan route and latch onto a celebrity but instead signed with a genuinely respected member of both the green and fashion communities.

According to the press release: The new brand is a key part of Payless' mission and strategy to democratize fashion, design and new ideas in footwear and accessories and to position Payless as a "House of Brands" retailer, offering well-recognized, fresh new brands -- all at a great price. The new line is unique not only as the first-ever affordable green footwear, but also because it will stress fashion first, while being eco-smart.

While no images of the collection are yet available we certainly hope it will manage to be both stylish and eco-friendly.

Surprisingly, The Shoe Fits

coutorture — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:11:12 -0700

If you can tell us where these shoes are from, we'll marry you. Yes, we'll marry you. Because these are high stakes and you deserve a substantial reward for such wisdom. You ready? They're from Payless. We know, we were as surprised as you. For twenty-four-ninety-nine (we'll spell it out, it's so little) you can snag the eggplant (also in black) oxfords from the comfort of your office desk. No need to let the less-fashion forward Payless offerings take away from the fact that this particular shoe is neither a rip-off nor for your average affordable option. Paired with a pair of cigarette trousers, we're pretty sure no one would know the difference. The question, in these circumstances, is what your reaction will be when people inevitably ask where you found such chic little oxfords. We're big fans of the contextual reaction. If it's your best friend, you'll take her arm and whisper the answer in her ear, and if it's an acquaintance at a cocktail party, you tell her something like 'Oh you know these things they're everywhere really'. In other words, double speak your way out of it sister, she'll figure it out in her own time.