Un coup de foudre, that’s the French phrase for “love at first sight.” It’s a rare occasion when I find something I’d lie, cheat and steal to have, but an evening stroll in Tribeca led me into a girl wearing the leather studded booties pictured above. I contemplated kicking her knees and swiping the boots off her feet, but I decided a compliment  would be the less delinquent route. Introducing shoe designer Els Proost, her company, Elsa Shoes, easily ranked at the top of my latest obsessions.

Proost has quite the resume having designed shoes and accessories for Dries Van Noten, Emporio Armani, Maison Martin Margiela, Costume National, Hussein Chalayan, Angelo Figus and more, so there’s no doubt why they’re so damn gorgeous. Craftsmanship,comfort and a “fashionable amusing twist” reign among Proost’s design goals, and it’s safe to say she achieves them with every pair she constructs. Like the woman who married a rollerc0aster, maybe i’ll join the bandwagon and marry Elsa Shoes. Now that’s what I like to call a bright future!

Titled ‘Gentlemen of Leisure,’ this spread was inspired by icons like the Duke of Windsor, Rudolph Valentino, Gary Cooper, and Baron Nicolas De Gunzburg.

Dries Van Noten went a little retrograde on us this season, settling for his safe, signature ethnic patterns and pieces that are sure to sell out amongst his following customers. Khaki pants and shorts, wrapped psychedelic skirts, sparkled and sequined jackets and relaxed linens comprised the majority of Van Noten’s Spring 2010 collection. For a man who brought us a very minimalist Fall 2009 collection, this season is rather surprising, but ask a devout Van Noten fan and you’ll realize he’s just playing it safe.

One of our favorite street photographers Scott Schuman, better known at the Sartorialist, has organized his own pop-up at Barneys! Full of lust-worthy items, Schuman displays his luxurious taste at the ‘SartoriaLUST,’ which includes pieces from Maison Martin Margiela, Dries Van Noten, APC, and Ralph Lauren, among others.  Prices are high, but isn’t that the point of lust-worthy?

LINK LOVE: Racked

GALLERY: RUNWAY RUNDOWN: Dries Van Noten Spring 2010 Menswear

Thanks NY Mag!

Contributing Editor has enlisted the talents of Tyler Riggs. Styled by Tom Van Dorpe and photographed by Minoru Kaburagi, Riggs wears clothing from such names as Yigal Azrouël and Dries Van Noten.

This radio active looking spread is the collaborative effort of photographer Michelle Matiyow and Lians with paint work by Vincent Sherk. Using pieces from Dries Van Noten, Yigal Azrouel and Prada, this editorial is surely gives color a new meaning.

There are so……many great bags out this season that I sometimes actually feel a lightheaded when looking at them. I personally prefer a little, or should I say, ALOT of detail on my bags of choice. The focus is on clutch bags today and Here are just a few of my favorites. From top to bottom the designers are, Sonia Rykiel python clutch….Roberto Cavalli snakeskin and diamante clutch (EXQUISITE)….Roberto Cavalli black jeweled clutch….Proenza Schouler Pochette’s x 2….Missoni Snakeskin clutch….Matthew Williamson python Pochette….Judith Leiber x 2 (love the cupcake)….Dries Van Noten x 2….Bulgari….Alexander McQueen x 2 (love, love, love the fringe clutch). The “jeweled daisy” clutch has a beautiful vintage look and is a sure favorite. Enjoy the view!

LINKAGE: “Clutching it”

In honor of Eric Daman and the new “Chuck Bass Fridays”, here is a preview of the new Dries van Noten Spring 2009 collection. The collection features some great patterns that could make any menacing fella looking like Chuck Bass. I love the collection, and despite my seemingly indie style, I would love to climb into one of these suits for the Spring.

Dries van Noten: Spring 2009 Collection

Thanks Selectism

If you love designer shoes, you will love this special promotion that Mona Moore is offering to our readers. All you have to do is mention FashionIndie when selection your final purchases (call to purchase) and you will receive 50% off. Now, that’s better than the Saks Sale. Designers include Y-3, Yohji Yamamoto, Marni, Dries Van Noten, Anne Demeulemeester, and others.

Another season, another installment of the most popular venues for runway shows. Show venues these days are every bit as important as the collections to the statement a designer makes, and a prime opportunity for fashion house to showcase their creativity.

Raf Simons at Lycée Buffon

Paul Smith at the Carrousel du Louvre

Dior Homme at the Jardins de l’Observatoire

Prada

Fendi

Dries Van Noten’s vintage cars

LV at Palais de Tokyo

Hermes at Couvent des Cordeliers

Thierry Mugler

Dries Van Noten

Many designers used gray this season to highlight other brightly colored accessories. For example, Thierry Mugler used gray suits to punctuate the stark black and white gangster shoes, and Dries Van Noten showed us that camel shoes and man bags look amazing with patterned gray pants.