Pretty Paint-by-Numbers

Posted on November 27, 2012 by Katie

Paint-by-number snow scene spotted at the Brimfield Antiques Fair, September, 2012.

There’s something about Thanksgiving and Christmas time that brings out our love for all things nostalgic, so I thought it would be seasonally appropriate to write about one of my favorite styles of art: paint-by-number. Maybe it’s because I get to spend all my holidays in the picturesque ski town of Stowe, Vermont, but I’ve always loved the unique retro vibe of a scenic paint-by-number landscape, and have no qualms with calling it art.

Paint-by-number was the hobby that swept the nation in the 1950s, thanks to Max Klein and Dan Robbins of the Palmer Paint Company, who’s $2.50 kits included brushes, a pre-drawn canvas, and a set of standard paint colors to coordinate with the muted shades of typical décor from that era. The controversy over whether this genre can be considered art lies between the idea that this style of painting exemplifies the mind-numbing conformity of mid-century America and the more positive notion that with a paint-by-number kit, anyone could engage in creative activity and become an artist. In either case, paint-by-number has definitely carved out a little place in American art history and continues to influence many present-day artists and craftsmen.

To me, the smooth lines that result from a paint-by-number piece feel like a modern, stylized approach to capturing a rural vista, for example, and so in that way it holds up well with today’s reimagined vintage aesthetic. The creative folks at Etsy have a paint-by-number mural in the lounge at their headquarters, painted by Cabin Collective, and even the stylish Honestly…WTF recently blogged about a paint-by-number find! For more history, visit the Paint by Number Museum.

Up-cycled notebook from Just L Modern Antiques shop in Littleton, NH.

The Kimberly Bag by I Heart Norwegian Wood, as seen on Style Bubble and for sale on Etsy.

Living room mural by Scott and Cheryl White, as seen on DesignSponge.

Artwork by Trey Speegle, who’s paint-by-number inspired pieces have been translated into rugs for Anthropologie and spurred collaborations with Stella McCartney and Jonathan Adler, among others.

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The most comfortable high heels ever?

Posted on November 10, 2012 by Katie

We’ve all been there – at a wedding, prom, or other celebratory occasion – when at some point you’ll look around and notice that most of the girls have taken off their shoes and are dancing the night away in their bare feet. By this time, you’ve either tossed your own shoes aside as well or you wish you already had, because your feet are in so much pain from trying to endure the killer heels you’re still wearing. One night at a wedding, a client of mine experienced a similar scenario and while dancing with her husband, a magnate in the mens shoe industry, she noted all the women reduced to their stocking feet and asked him “Isn’t there a way to make high heels more comfortable?” He replied, “If there was a better way, they’d already be doing it.”

To my enterprising client, this presented the challenge she has since dedicated the last 10 years of her life to solving. In 2003, she filed her first US patent for a high heel shoe cushion system where an increased amount of padding is added within an open midsole to the forepart area. This allows for a larger, softer cushioned area under the ball of your foot, which unnaturally becomes subject to the majority if your body weight when your foot is pitched up in high heels. In another patent, filed the next year, she included more detail about how the cushion insert is positioned within the open part of the insole and added a top layer of cushioning that spans the entire surface of the footbed.

The concept is a good one, but as with any labor of love, she has had to overcome many hurdles through the process of bringing her dream to life. Eventually, through the ever-buzzing network of footwear industry professionals, the two of us were introduced with the hope that I could create a new and improved prototype for her to use as a tangible reference of her idea. After studying the patents, photos, and materials sent to me, I created a plan that would incorporate her technology into my own custom shoe components. A large footwear company would use blueprints and 3-D software to create perfect molds and dies for each part to interlock like puzzle pieces, but in my world of making shoes by hand, these pieces had to be created from existing material and manually adapted to fit together. Nevertheless, my PVC platform part worked well for the stabilizing midsole perimeter piece and I switched to lightweight Poron urethane foam for the cushion.

The snakeskin sandal was designed to show off the comfort features of the footbed and in the following photos you can see a rare before-and-after glimpse of all the parts that went into making this deceptively simple finished product. Are these shoes the most comfortable high heels ever? They may come close, but every girl’s body is different and every foot responds to high heels a bit differently. Unfortunately, at this time, it would be prohibitive for me to continuing incorporating this cushioning system into any future custom shoes, but with the experience earned while meeting this unique challenge, you can be sure that comfort will never be far from my mind here at Katie Blauer.

Click here to see more pictures of these comfortable snakeskin sandals in our Gallery!

 

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Marni Mash Up

Posted on October 6, 2012 by Katie

As a shoe designer and craftsman, I am surrounded by shoes all the time and could theoretically create any new style my heart desired. Nonetheless, this has never tamed my addiction towards coveting other designer’s shoes I admire and the giddy feeling that still comes with scoring an amazing new pair for my collection. I especially can’t resist when a pair of shoes from a few seasons ago will pop up at a great price and the design is so unique that they feel just as special as the day they hit the runway. This is precisely what happened with the pair of Marni shoes I’m writing about today.

These chunky platforms were from the Spring 2009 collection, which debuted in Milan to rave reviews. Sarah Mower, for style.com, explained that with this collection “Marni has reached that serene plateau of development and is reveling in undisputed ownership of print, color, and the magpie mix-up. That means never having to grasp nervously for an extraneous trend.”  I love this quote that echoes my earlier sentiment about how great it is to find a design that transcends the seasons because it represents a brand’s iconic aesthetic.

As you can see, the catwalk version of these shoes was a bit bolder than my more commercial black and brown colorway – which still holds true to Marni’s mashed-up point of view by pairing sleek patent leather with rustic brown suede. To that point, Mower further explains that Marni “flings it all together … yet still somehow manages to stop short of busy confusion. That simple/complicated knack is what keeps Marni lovers coming back for more.” Indeed! Coupled by exquisite craftsmanship, plenty of comfort, and colors that could compliment any outfit, I’m sure these shoes will be mixed and matched across my entire wardrobe for years to come.

Marni patent leather platform sandals (Spring 2009), worn with Alice + Olivia Cerra zig zag velvet burnout top (Fall 2011) and Pilcro Stet Slim Straight Geo Cords from Anthropologie (Fall 2012). Bonus: vintage ceramic black cat by Royal Haegar.

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Client Collaboration

Posted on September 9, 2012 by Katie

Photos by Garrett Nose Photography

At Katie Blauer, collaboration is key. The more specific information shared during the design process, the more personalized the custom shoes can become! This year I made two pairs of shoes for Rosalie, who was the definition of a model client and truly a pleasure to work with. Rosalie went beyond thoroughly completing the Katie Blauer Questionnaire by inviting me to her dress fitting at Barneys on Madison Avenue in Manhattan. There, I was able to see her wedding gown in person so that I could color-match the material and discuss alteration details with her tailor. We settled on a heel height for the shoes and confirmed that she’d be able to replace the simple fabric covered buttons that came on the dress with vintage style diamond encrusted buttons that Rosalie had picked out at a nearby shop. This presented the perfect opportunity to coordinate exact details between the dress and the shoes, so after her fitting we walked a few blocks to the quaint little shop, called Tender Buttons, and bought 2 more of the same style. I would later incorporate them into the shoes to fasten the ankle straps, and although it was a subtle tieback to the detail on Rosalie’s dress, I know this extra level of customization made her wedding day feel all the more special. Click for more shots of Rosalie’s wedding shoes in our Gallery.

Tender Buttons shop // Photo of Rosalie’s wedding shoes by Garrett Nose Photography

Because Rosalie married her Australian sweetheart in Hawaii, a local party was planned later in the summer so the newlyweds could celebrate with those who weren’t able to attend the destination wedding. For this reception, Rosalie’s sister, Abby, who is currently studying Fashion Design at Cornell University, was appointed to create her party dress. This was an exciting chance to work collaboratively with a fashion designer and be able to provide our client with a complete head-to-toe customized look! Throughout the process, Abby was generous enough to send photos from her own sketch stage and fitting sessions, as well as share the excess materials from the dress. Thanks to this great collaboration, Rosalie’s outfit was a huge success with tastefully coordinated details such as the V-shape overlays at the back of the heel echoing the dramatic V-line back of the dress, the mother-of-pearl buckle on the ankle strap matching back to the mother-of-pearl belt accent, and the same lurex linen material used across both the dress and the body of the shoe. Since Abby’s design was a girly vintage-inspired silhouette, I thought the bold oversized pom-pom would be a fun compliment to the retro swing skirt. Lastly, the metallic silver leather elements were made from the same leather as used on Rosalie’s wedding shoes, so that the two pairs would sit as a cohesive collection, commemorating this major milestone in Rosalie’s life. Click for more shots of Rosalie’s reception shoes in our Gallery.

Photos by Lynne Sarao Photography

The process of working with Rosalie and Abby really opened my eyes to the wonderful potential of client collaboration and I hope to push this concept even further in the future. One step in that direction will be rewriting the Katie Blauer information packet to include additional questions that could spark the incorporation of more personalized design details, as well as providing easier ways to share inspiration images back and forth. Although I’ll be the first to admit the tool of collaboration has become somewhat of an overused marketing ploy in the fashion and footwear industries these days, the type of collaboration I’m proposing is more about good communication and creative thinking, where only you stand to benefit when your big day finally arrives. If you’re a one-of-a-kind girl ready to collaborate with Katie Blauer, send us a note and let’s get started!

Rosalie wearing Abby Spatz dress and Katie Blauer shoes // Katie wearing Leifsdottir dress, Tory Burch shoes and Lauren Merkin clutch // Photo by Lynne Sarao Photography

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A Visit to the ICA Boston

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Katie

Today I visited the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston for the first time. Although the ICA museum has been around since the 1940s, it’s fancy new home on the waterfront has only been open to the public since December 2006. The new architecture is as much of a draw as the art it houses and I must admit my pride for Boston grew as I explored this spectacular crown jewel of our developing seaport area. The progressive glass and metal building that cantilevers over the water is so striking, it comes across as a nod to the revolutionary Frank Lloyd Wright. I also love how the boardwalk element rises up from the waterfront and, like a ribbon, travels up the side of the building before folding back over itself. In fact, the wooden stairs were so inviting, I had to break the rules a little and climb to the highest point!

I was excited to be wearing this exquisite Matthew Williamson dress today – an early birthday treat from my husband – which felt right at home at the ICA, being that the dress itself is truly a work of modern art. The Tokyo Faze dress is an architectural marvel of silk draping accented by a unique digital print of the Tokyo skyline and dripping neon blossoms. When Matthew first debuted this print on the runway at Spring 12 London Fashion Week, its backdrop was the Tate Modern museum. Today, the dress was again surrounded by contemporary art, and it really came to life in the Founders Gallery – a floor to ceiling glass hallway room on the fourth floor which spans the entire width of the museum and showcases a beautiful view of the harbor. While the ICA will surely continue bringing amazing art to Boston, it was a fun experience to think I was bringing a little “art of fashion” to the ICA.

Tokyo Faze Washed Silk Asymmetric Dress by Matthew Williamson. Seychelles nubuck and neon shoes.

Suspended charcoal sculpture entitled Hanging Fire (Suspected Arson), 1999, by Cornelia Parker

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Misc. Six

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Katie

I realize I’m a bit overdue on my latest Misc. Six post, the vehicle I use to document some of my favorite inspirations which I have haphazardly pulled from the internet and allowed to sit cluttering my desktop for months on end. You might think this sounds like an archaic method, with the advent of Pinterest (and I’d have to agree), but old habits die hard. We do have a Pinterest account here at Katie Blauer (click to follow!) and I promise to make an increased effort to practice more pinning and less aimless file dragging going forward.

In either case, the images I like to gather and share with you are not only just inspirational, but usually aspirational too. I love that through the process of archiving and bringing personal context to the beautiful things I’ve found online, I’m in effect saving them for posterity since the desired pieces are often quite unattainable. Which brings me to my #1, the silk-habotai dress from Carven Resort 2012. In keeping with the increasingly popular photo-real trend (see Black Milk clothing, for example), this beautiful mountain scene of Switzerland reminds me of my honeymoon and incorporates all my favorite colors. It’s been long since sold out online, but you can see the lovely (and lucky) Susie Bubble modeling the shirt and shorts set here. Another look from the same collection fully embodies the adorable Swiss-Miss persona that obviously inspired Carven’s designs this season (via vogue.com).

#2. is a set of matchstick bracelets by Nora Kogan (as spotted on highsnobette) which I find nostalgic of the long stem matches that sat like a bouquet on the fireplace mantle at our lake house. I love their simplicity of form and the great array of colors, but a stack of 9 cuffs, as shown, would set you back close to $3000! #3. Another simple idea that feels fresh and unique is Tiffany Lu’s ombré tights, which are all hand-dyed and made to order. Although summer is in full swing and it’s close to 90° outside, I am already dreaming of fall outfits that could incorporate these beauties.

#4. No Misc. Six post would be complete without a Matthew Williamson reference! Just as Matthew’s gorgeous gowns showcase his mastery of exuberant print and color on the body, I recently discovered that through his collaboration with The Rug Company, MW is able to do the same for the home! My favorite piece in his rug collection features his signature Peacock print, which I can envision being paired with this incredible vintage magenta Papa Bear chair by Hans Wegner (#5. via eBay) to create the ultimate “Mid-Century meets Hollywood Regency in Palm Springs” fashion oasis.

#6.  Last but not least, I was smitten by these peach cat-eye sunnies from Asos, as worn by San Francisco blogger, La Vagabond Dame. The subtle up-tick of the corners, like a cartoon eyelash, is so sweet and I immediately thought the deep round lens shape felt very Karen Walker. After a little digging, I wasn’t surprised to discover they’re virtual knock offs of the Karen Walker Harvest style, which I promptly added to my “I need this yesterday” list (in Tortoise Shell, of course). Luckily I’ve got a birthday coming up!

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Neon Orange Orchids

Posted on July 3, 2012 by Katie

Matthew Williamson “10 Years in Fashion” at the Design Museum, London, England, 2007

I’m not shy about my love for Matthew Williamson, who has been an ever-present inspiration since I attended his 10-year retrospective at the London Design Museum back in October 2007.  In my eyes, MW can do no wrong – from interesting color combinations and intricate embellishments to the artistic manipulation of his signature prints. Along the way, I purchased this silk photo-real dress from his Spring Summer 2010 collection, but until now, I hadn’t found the right opportunity to wear it. With the same mentality of my Katie Blauer custom shoe company, I like to challenge myself to coordinate with the special events I attend. Just as I had recently worn a nautical themed Alberta Ferretti dress to my friend Kate’s beachside wedding on Nantucket, this opulent orchid print from Matthew Williamson turned out to be a perfect match for my cousin Sarah’s wedding at The Taj Hotel in Boston.

Orchid Print Dress by Matthew Williamson / The French Room at The Taj Hotel, Boston, MA

The Taj Hotel enjoys a rich history in Boston, as the building was originally home to the famous Ritz-Carlton hotel – a local landmark that has anchored fashionable Newbury Street and the picturesque Boston Public Garden since it opened in 1927. After being purchased by the India-based Taj Hotels Company in 2007, it seems the iconic building has taken on a sort of British-Raj flavor – with exotic plants and gilded accents set against a traditional colonial backdrop. As predicted, with its hothouse color palette of pink and orange, bordered by elegant champagne trim, my Matthew Williamson dress was right in keeping with this theme. My next objective was to design a pair of coordinating custom shoes that would make MW proud.

The color choice for the shoes was easy – a mix of neutral and neon, which is not only still very on-trend, but also an ode to one of Matthew Williamson’s long-time favorite color schemes. Next, the photo-real orchid print of the dress dictated a need for ultra-realistic faux orchids, which I sourced from Pany Silk Garden in New York City and asked my artist friend, Allison Bamcat, to help punch up the color by adding hand painted neon accents to each blossom. I then designed a waterfall of fringe to flow out from under the flowers, which speaks to the striated background design in the print of the dress. This type of extreme fringing is another trend-right detail, as made popular on footwear by Brian Atwood and highlighted by trend blogs like A Pair and a Spare. Lastly, I added an extra layer of Poron foam under the ball of the foot to add extra comfort for dancing the night away … and believe me, I did!

In the lobby of the Taj Hotel, Boston: Matthew Williamson orchid print silk dress, David Yurman earrings and bracelets, vintage beaded purse with tassel, custom Katie Blauer shoes

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Gallery Preview: Nantucket Tidings

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Katie

I met my friend Kate when we were kids at an all-girls summer camp in Vermont. We’ve always lived a few states apart but I attribute our enduring friendship over the years to the same traits that has made Kate a successful New York City publicist. She’s thoughtful, charismatic, funny, and brilliant; you have to have her in your life. Kate’s also an incredibly talented singer and when it came time to plan my wedding, I asked her to sing in the ceremony. At our rehearsal dinner we purposefully sat a then-single Kate next to groomsman Mike, who is an equally dear and long time friend of my husband’s. Needless to say, Kate and Mike hit it off throughout the wedding weekend and four and a half years later we were on our way to Nantucket for theirs.

Nantucket is Kate’s favorite place in the world and as we stepped off the ferry for our first time on island, as they say, it was not hard to see why. The picturesque little place is the epitome of preppy New England life: casual but proper, weathered but pristine. From beaches to bike rides and crab cakes to lobster rolls, we soaked up this charming island lifestyle as we shopped down old cobblestone streets and admired each manicured yard. Our home base was at the Centerboard Inn, a victorian guesthouse newly remodeled in a modern beach chic style, where we stayed in such luxurious comfort that it was quite hard to leave by the end of the weekend.

photo by Danielle Friedman

There on Nantucket, everything is in the details and Kate and Mike carried this sentiment throughout their wedding weekend, which was appointed with endless hydrangeas, nautical rope accents, and delectable seafood. It was with this same mindset that I created Kate’s custom wedding shoes. Set on traditional ivory bridal satin, a delicate rope detail (coordinating with the corded lace on her wedding dress), is knotted over the toes in a classic Carrick Bend design. The rope continues along the topline and is wrapped around the kitten heels in a quirky unexpected way. A solitaire diamond button in the center of each knot brings an appropriate elegance to the shoes. For the first time at Katie Blauer, a Liberty of London textile (named “Caesar”) was used as an alternative lining material, as it held sentimental value for the bride and perfectly captured the color palette of Nantucket.

Katie’s outfit at Kate & Mike’s wedding, Galley Beach, Nantucket: Starfish maxi dress by Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti from Resort 2012 collection, David Yurman bracelets and earrings, handmade rope cuff, Pashmina scarf, Cole Haan silver “Jocelyn” wedges, Cole Haan “Vintage Valise Marisa” crossbody bag.

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DIY Moccasins

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Katie

Have you ever been curious about making your own shoes? Here at Katie Blauer, we pride ourselves in the fact that our shoes are all one-of-a-kind hand-made creations. But the art of shoemaking is a very specialized skill that takes years of practice to master and I’ll be the first to admit that I still have a lot to learn. Hand made moccasins, however, are a different story! This fun little shoe project is easy enough for the do-it-yourselfer and the opportunities for creative embellishment are endless. The moccasin trend has been around for a long time because nothing compares to the comfy-cute combo of these soft little slippers. So why not give shoemaking a try and in the spirit of Katie Blauer, make them your own! We would love to see what you come up with!

Here’s what you’ll need:
Moccasin Pattern Pack from Tandy Leather Factory
material (usually leather/suede, but I’m sure wool or other textiles could work too!)
large stitching needle
thread (a heavy waxed thread is best)
lace (I used a square leather style lace)
sharp scissors (pinking shears optional)
rotary hole punch tool
embellishments (beads, studs, fringe, etc.)

Deerskin moccasins with lurex knit footbed and chevron bugle bead detail on vamp by Katie Blauer

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Gallery Preview: Pearls of Wisdom

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Katie

Pearls have long since represented the epitome of classic sophistication; some women wear them every day to elevate a casual outfit and others save them for only the most special of occasions. Over the years, pearls have become defining features of many signature celebrity styles, as well as striking fashion statements on runways and red carpets. The iconic pearl is so pure and simple, you can see it easily lends itself to a wide range of versatility in styling and design.

Top, L to R: classic Ralph by Ralph Lauren ad from the mid 90s, featuring model Bridget Hall // Princess Diana’s “Elvis” gown, worn on her 1989 trip to Hong Kong // Jackie O ‘s trendsetting presidential pearls from the early 60s. Bottom, L to R: Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City, Season Four // Audrey Hepburn’s elegant Parisian style in Breakfast at Tiffany’s // Lady Gaga’s pearl encrusted face from the NYFW 2010 amFAR Gala.

Top, L to R: body and hair pearls from Chanel SS 2012// pearl sandal by Alexander McQueen SS 2012// Balmain AW 12/13. Center, L to R: pearl collar by Tory Burch AW 12/13 // trompe l’oeil printed dress from Notte by Marchesa // pearl encrusted jacket and clutch by Chanel SS 2012. Bottom, L to R: Nicholas Kirkwood pearl platform pump // Miu Miu Resort 2012 ad // dress by Alexander McQueen SS 2012.

My friend Holly Durst loves how a string of pearls can add a preppy sense of humor to any outfit. Its one of her all-time favorite accessories and she’s planning to have her bridesmaids all wear pearl necklaces at her wedding. With these details in mind, and no lack of inspiration from the runway, I set out to cover Holly’s wedding shoes in thousands of precious little faux pearls. The results were well worth the laborious process and I’m quite proud of this unique application where the iconic pearl has been transformed in fashion once again.

P.S. Speaking of pearl-adorned fashionistas throughout history, here’s Holly channeling a timeless Jackie O look that captures the quintessential sweet sophisticate. Jackie’s apricot silk dress was designed by Oleg Cassini and worn in 1962 during her trip to India. Holly’s dress is modernized with cut-outs and while you can see she’s styled it with aviators and gold jewelry, I have no doubt there’s a pair of pearl earrings beneath those brunette locks.

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