Although this trend has been around since last season, a recent trip to Forever 21 has proven the gladiator sandal’s status as official. Albeit cheaper, and therefore more likely to collapse at the most inconvenient of times, they were nonetheless cute. It wasn’t love at first sight when I first caught glimpse of the Balenciaga knee high version–atrociousness was more like it. But as new variants pop up all over the scene, I’ve become thoroughly enamored with their versatility and how they make an outfit seem so chic. I’m obsessed right now with BIBA’S tobacco high-heeled gladiator that I would gladly skip my car payment to own them. Great for summertime toes, they look best with mini hemlines (i.e. short shorts, mini skirts and dresses), and slim jeans.

We haven’t heard much from this design house since we did a ‘Designer Discovery’ article on them a while back. I now happened to stumble on images from their Fall 2008 Fashion Show, and I must say I’m very intrigued. Although not in spirit with the concept of the original design house, this Biba collection is toned down and incredibly wearable. Edgy yet feminine, the clothing is very fashionable and trendy. The abundance of oversized new-age ruffles kept the clothes young, yet the silhouettes and beautiful tailoring made the collection for a women of any age.