The Nest by Farylrobin

BAILEYS IRISH CREAM ASKS FARYLROBIN TO DESIGN SHOE FOR CHARITY

2009-11-04T16:36:00.003-05:00

A few months ago, we were asked by Baileys Irish Cream to be a part of an incredible project to help raise money for Clothes Off Our Back. Faryl, along with four other top shoe designers, was challenged to create a one-of-a-kind shoe, using Bailey's Irish Cream as the shoe's inspiration. The shoe will be auctioned off starting on November 11 for the benefit of Clothes Off Our Back.

After many nights sampling Bailey's great liqueurs (for inspirational purposes only!), Faryl came up with a concept based on the colors of the bottle, the shapes of the classic Bailey's label, the colors and texture of the liqueurs, and the way she likes her Irish Cream....on the rocks! Check it out:

What we love most about this project is the chance to help children in the US and around the world. Clothes Off Our Back is doing terrific work and we are so glad that Bailey's had the vision to bring us all together for a worthy cause. You can even support the cause by bidding on our shoe (beginning November 11 and live until December 2) at the Clothes Off Our Back Web site.

Tonight, Faryl's shoe will be unveiled at the Baileys Pop-Up Holiday Shoe Shop in New York City. Look for our Twitter updates from the party, where several other celebrities are expected, including actresses from Gossip Girl, Confessions of a Shopaholic and style-maven Patricia Field. We can't wait....!

DEADLY FASHION

2009-10-28T13:47:00.006-05:00

The leading ladies from this year's wickedly popular vampire flicks have a sense of style that makes our hearts stop. Here are some looks we love.

Kristen Stewart (Twilight)

Usually taking heat for her grunge look, we kinda like it. We dig how she paired her edgy leather jacket with a burst of bright yellow.

Anna Paquin (True Blood)

Accustomed to seeing “Sookie” dressed painfully plain, she looks super sleek at this year’s Vanity Fair Oscar party in her gorgeous bustier-inspired party dress.

Nina Dobrev (Vampire Diaries)

We are suckers for newcomer Nina Dobrev’s sexy, one shoulder lace dress that she wore at the Annual Young Hollywood Awards this year.

Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy, The Vampire Slayer)

She might not be in a new vampire flick, but she is the quintessential leading lady in a vampire series! This black ruffle dress she wore to the PS Arts Party back in 07 could be taken out of the closet for a re-run. We love it.

VAMPIRE STYLE

2009-10-27T13:36:00.012-05:00

Vampires have taken over. From the latest scary Halloween movies to Twilight and True Blood, we have all been put under the vampire spell (Robert Pattison is hot). This fall, sink your teeth into the following shoes that will help release your inner-vamp style.

What type of vamp are you?

The Charming Vampire

The Fashionista Vampire

The Seductive Vampire

The Biker Vampire

APPEARANCE ALERT - AUSTIN, TX

2009-10-22T21:17:00.001-05:00

Founder and Creative Director of Farylrobin Footwear, Faryl Robin Morse, will make an appearance at Nordstrom at Barton Creek Mall on Saturday, October 24th from 10:00am–3:00pm to introduce the brand’s fall collection, meet with shoppers and discuss fall fashion trends. Be sure to stop by if you’re in the area!

WSA Editor, Liane Bonin, Guest Blogs for Farylrobin

2009-10-20T15:07:00.002-05:00

My Back-To-School Lesson

Here in Los Angeles we don’t usually realize it’s fall until late October (it’s a little hard to think about cozy sweaters and high boots when it’s 95 degrees out), but the good news is that the fashion industry is in full autumnal swing. And as I hit the stores both online and off, I’m realizing how much my buying patterns have changed – and improved – in the last year.

I’ll admit it – I’ve been an impulse shopper in the past, and not the savviest one, especially when faced with a bargain. Heck, my sample sale mantra has been “everything will be fine if I lose ten pounds to get into this skirt/ if I only wear these shoes into the restaurant and back to the car/ if I wear enough blush to make up for the fact I can’t really wear this color close to my face.”

If a pair of shoes didn’t quite fit or the seams looked a little crooked, it didn’t necessarily stop me from buying them. After all, I could just toss them out when I didn’t like them anymore and get another pair, right? But with the dual influence of today’s tough economy and a growing awareness of green, I’m shopping a little smarter. The really weird thing? I’m spending more on less.

Even to me it seems counterintuitive to be bypassing the discount aisle when the economy’s down, but if there’s any lesson I’ve learned in the last 12 months it is about the importance of quality, especially when it comes to what I put on my feet. For some reason I keep recalling Hannibal Lecter’s line to Clarice in “Silence of the Lambs” about how her cheap shoes made her look like a rube. While that isn’t inspiring me to drop $800 for designer footwear, it is making me look long and hard at every pair of shoes before I buy. Since I know I won’t be running out in a month or so to snap up a replacement, each pair of shoes on my maybe list has to meet a much more stringent set of criteria than in the past. Are they well made? Do they fit (and I mean really fit, not “I can squeeze them on my feet and who cares if I can feel my big toe?” fit)? Can I wear them with many outfits I currently have in my closet, not just one? Are they distinctive? And most importantly, do I love them?

It’s a long list, but having just plowed through my closet to sift out all those doesn’t fit/wrong color/almost but not quite right choices I’ve made in the past and rarely worn, I’m seeing how being pickier going forward will be a boon not just for my closet but for my overall look. If I never wear anything I don’t love, how much happier will I be? How much more confident? Instead of sifting through dozens of shoes that aren’t quite right to find those one or two pairs I wear until they’re worn out, what if I only had go-to shoes? Sure, I may be spending a little more on fewer item, but in the end, I’m saving money. And shelf space. Gotta love that.

What about you? How are your shopping habits changing?

A Stylist’s Dirty Little Secret: Meg Goldman

2009-10-09T10:17:00.010-05:00

I own a pair of shoes I often wear to work when I need to look hip and polished yet I have a full day of running around, schlepping shopping bags in and out of stores and showrooms. I usually gravitate to them when I need to look the part of a stylist but would much rather wear my sneakers, or worse, my Fit Flops. Though they are a tad too worn in now, I still go to them on days when I have to work at Conde Nast and know I’ll be heading down to that cafeteria at some point. The truth is, a big part of my job involves lifting, carrying, and crawling around on the floor. Gorgeous as they are, 4-inch heels are just not for me (or at least the practical me).

Every stylist knows how unglamorous and PHYSICAL this work really is. It’s the ultimate irony, the dirty little secret of the job, call it what you will. Working in fashion, and especially behind the scenes pulling together a shoot, is far, far from glamorous.

That’s why I so loved Grace Coddington in The September Issue. I was probably the only person in the theater who was weeping during her little monologues because there she was, validating every feeling I’ve ever had over the years working in this business, about how HARD it is, always fighting for your stories and the perfect dress that no one else gets.

But let’s put her dead-on insights aside for now and talk about what she wears to work. What really got to me was what this fashion editor of all fashion editors was wearing, especially her shoes. They were black, low and strappy- totally cool looking yet SENSIBLE. Now I’m sure they were an expensive designer brand (after all she is the Creative Director of Vogue). And yes, I know she’s who-knows-and-who-cares how old, so wearing 4 inches would be a little ridiculous. The point is, that looking the part of a stylist and actually being able to do the work in your outfit are two pieces of a puzzle that ultimately need to fit together cohesively.

So here’s what I’ve learned along the way: start with a great pair of shoes you can move your toes in. Preferably they will have some unusual feature like the tiny gold glitter trim on mine that shows you have style AND you pay attention to details.

Finally, let me add this word of advice: pray it doesn’t rain on the day you are out prepping. Because when you add rain or snow into the mix, well, that throws you into a completely different “stylist” predicament.

Written by Meg Goldman, Fashion Stylist/Market Editor

Appearance Alert: BETHESDA BOUND!

2009-10-02T13:32:00.004-05:00

Founder and Creative Director of Farylrobin Footwear, Faryl Robin Morse, will make an appearance at Nordstrom at the Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, MD this Saturday, October 10 from 10:00am–3:00pm to introduce the brand’s fall collection, meet with shoppers and discuss fall fashion trends. Be sure to stop by if you’re in the Bethesda area!

SAVE THE DATE – Shoes on Sale for Breast Cancer Awareness

2009-10-02T13:27:00.004-05:00

In recognition of the men and women who have been affected by breast cancer, Farylrobin is donating more than 200 pairs of shoes for the third consecutive year, to FFANY’s Shoes on Sale. Broadcast on QVC on October 13, the annual event offers shoppers more than 100,000 pairs of designer shoes at half the suggested retail price with all net proceeds benefiting breast cancer research and education. Don’t forget to tune in to QVC on October 13 and shop!

Lucky Magazine's Fashion Director, Hope Greenberg, Guest Blogs for Farylrobin

2009-10-02T09:35:00.004-05:00

There’s a strange phenomenon that occurs when your job calls for you to preview clothes six months ahead of the season in which they’ll actually be worn: you find yourself mentally skipping entire seasons and coveting the things you’re seeing now. So, while the perfect, crisp fall weather should make me psyched for the cozy sweaters, soft leathers and great blazers I looked at last February, instead, I’m obsessing over all of the stuff we’re just seeing on the runway for spring 2010.

It was amazing to see the NY designers completely step up to the challenge of making clothes and accessories that look new and exciting enough to make us want to shop but also real and wearable enough that we’re not going to be afraid we’re spending money frivolously. New York fashion week set the bar high. We’re headed for Milan and Paris tomorrow where we’re looking forward to seeing if the European designers can hit the same mark.

After we get back from our trip, we’ll close ourselves in a room for an afternoon to hammer out, from the gazillions of ideas we saw, which feel right for Lucky and which we’ll want to cover in the magazine in the months ahead. At the same time, we’re all quietly (or not so) making our personal lists of what we’re going to pounce on as soon as spring deliveries are in-store. Here’s a look at what we’re loving so far:

Intern Interviews

2009-09-28T11:13:00.015-05:00

This fall, Maletzky Media has a number of very smart interns that hail from Columbia and Hunter College. What impresses us is not only that these ladies have the brains, but they also have an incredible sense of style.

Name: Jessica Cui
Age: 19
School: Barnard College 2012
Major: Sociology
Favorite fall trend: Rompers! They are so easy to wear and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.
Favorite Farylrobin style: This Fall’s Malia heel in purple.

Name: Leila Mabourakh
Age: 20
School: Barnard College 2011
Major: English
Favorite fall trend: My favorite fall trend is anything studded because the tiny details add an edgy rocker feel to any outfit!
Favorite Farylrobin style: The Belly sandals from Spring 2009.

Name: Elizabeth Sze
Age: 21
School: Barnard College 2010
Major: Economics
Favorite fall trend: Blazers and booties are great for your current wardrobe. They are the perfect items to wear when transitioning from summer to fall.
Favorite Farylrobin style: This Fall’s Visby booty.

Name: Lina Yu
Age: 23
School: Hunter College graduate
Major: Sociology
Favorite fall trend: My favorite fall item is the biker jacket (which I'm coincidentally wearing in the picture).
Favorite Farylrobin style: The Geneva heel from this Fall.

APPEARANCE ALERT!

2009-09-23T15:21:00.004-05:00

Founder and Creative Director of Farylrobin Footwear, Faryl Robin Morse, will make an appearance at Nordstrom at the Fashion Mall at Keystone this Saturday, September 26th, from 10:00am–3:00pm to introduce the brand’s fall collection, meet with shoppers and discuss fall fashion trends.

If you're in the Indianapolis area, be sure to stop by!

Retailer Q&A

2009-09-21T15:40:00.011-05:00

We spoke with Scott Starbuck and Kate Rowan Fernandez of City Soles, Chicago's hotbed for alternative footwear and fashion-forward styles, to gain insight from those on the front line of the retail industry. Here is what one of our favorite retail partners had to say about fall trends, the Farylrobin brand and consumer expectations:

Farylrobin: What are your favorite fall trends this season?
Scott Starbuck: Over-the-knee boots, military boots and cowboy boots

FR: Have women been coming into City Soles asking for any specific shoe styles for the season?
Kate Rowan Fernandez: Booties for sure! Every woman needs a great pair of booties that will go with everything from fall all the way through spring.

FR: Which Farylrobin styles are you carrying for fall? Which one is your favorite and how would you suggets women wear it?
SS: We carry most of the line but my favorite is the Malia. I suggest women wear this shoe with tights and a dress or skirt.

FR: What does your "go-to shoe" look like?
KRF: Flat boot, preferably a bit of an elongated toe, one I could dress up or down.

FR: Which trends from last fall should we expect to see again this year?
KRF: The colors from last fall are still prominent. Greys, cognacs and purples. The little bootie style is all over the place, peep-toe shoes worn with tights is a hot look too!

To purchase Farylrobin at City Soles visit their stores at 2001 West North Ave or 3432 N. Southport in Chicago, IL. You can also check them out online at www.CitySoles.com

MUST SEE TV FASHION

2009-09-17T09:09:00.010-05:00

Finally the reruns have come to an end and new episodes of our favorite shows have begun! It goes without saying that we’ve been looking forward to witnessing the drama unfold between Blair and Serena on Gossip Girl and watching Ashley Simpson transition into the world of acting on Melrose Place, but most of all we've been anxiously awaiting the wardrobes of all the fashionistas in this fall’s primetime lineup.

Here are our favorites from last week’s season premieres:

90210 – Sliver’s purple platform pumps

Gossip Girl – Serena’s one shoulder, Grecian dress

Gossip Girl - Blair's tuxedo-inspired booties

Glee – Rachel’s high-waisted navy skirt

Shoe Musing @ New York City Fashion Week

2009-09-14T14:36:00.006-05:00

At NYC Fashion Week, we were supposed to be there to check out the clothing designers' Spring 2010 collections, but we ended up being distracted by the shoes worn to the shows by the magazine editors and retail buyers. Looks like black is still the new black! The shoes we spotted were anything but boring. Studs, laces, and even a tie-tack made these ladies' basic blacks stand out.

Seasonal Transition by Faryl

2009-09-09T15:28:00.020-05:00

With mid-day temperatures averaging a crisp 70 degrees in NYC, summer is quickly transitioning into fall. It is still warm enough to get a few more wears out of your summer wardrobe, but it’s time to reach back into your closet and start pulling out some your favorite fall pieces.

Faryl offers the following suggestions for a smooth transition:

1. KEEP THE PEEP -- No need to pack away your peep-toe shoes just yet. Pair them with tights and they will take you through the fall season.

2. PULL OUT THE LEATHER -- Itching to dust off your fabulous leather boots from last year? Wear them with crisp white jeans (yes, white after Labor Day is okay) and a light weight sweater or neutral trench.

3. LAYER IT -- Update your fav sun dresses by adding tights, a short-sleeve shirt, cardigan and cotton scarf. You can strip off layers as temps rise throughout the day.

Do you have any fashion tips for transitioning from summer to fall? Tweet them to us @Farylrobin!

The Farylrobin Malia

2009-09-09T10:58:00.005-05:00

The Malia is one of our favorite styles from the Fall Collection and, as it turns out, it has also been a fave of a lot of Farylrobin retailers and tons of fans on Facebook have been talking about it. Because there has been so much discussion, we thought it would be fun to find out from Faryl what she thinks of this specific style. At a breakfast meeting in the showroom last week, Faryl shared her thoughts with us.

"The Malia is a statement-making shoe because it combines bold color with architectural construction that is heavy in design. This heaviness draws people's eyes right down the woman's body to her shoes. I also think that when you put on the Malia you get an instant feeling of strength, empowerment and stability. And, the jewel tone combination in the purple Malia actually makes it more neutral than any other color combination this season. It's a smart purchase because it will go with a wide range of outfits and add that extra pop that makes an outfit complete."

We think this style looks great with a dress and opaque tights like in this photo. Find the Malia at www.shoes.com.

Guest Blogger Thursday

2009-09-02T14:44:00.008-05:00

Morgan Williams from RunningWithHeels.com

Two Boots

Fall is almost upon us. Living in the North East, I should have been aware of this as my August calendar page transformed from an open grid into a sea of crossed out boxes, but it really wasn’t until the temperatures dipped into the 40’s during the night and barely reached the 70’s during the day that I became painfully aware of what’s to come. I don’t mean to be down on a season as beautiful as the Fall, it’s just that there’s a sense of loss when bathing suits are traded for jackets and tans fade as quickly as the days shorten. And it means Winter is that much closer.

However, there’s one thing I always look forward to and, after a trip to a department store last week, I’ll even admit I’m already anticipating…boots. I LOVE boots. Maybe this is why I’m especially excited for Fall 2009 because boots of every style are on the hot list. Tall boots, really tall boots, short boots, western-inspired boots, military-inspired boots, riding boots, peep-toe boots, platform boots, embellished boots – you name it, it’s in! (This could also be very detrimental to my bank account of course, but I digress.)

So, when presented with this plethora of Fall boots, how does one go about selecting the right ones? If you’re uncertain, I would like to take the liberty of recommending two styles that no fashionable girl will want to be without this season.

The first is a bold ankle boot because of its versatility. It will go perfectly with everything from jeans to leggings and sweater dresses but it will also give your look a fashion-forward edge. The Farylrobin Mila is a beyond perfect example. Its architectural lines and daring silhouette create a sexy and unique style and the height of its heel means you can dress it up or down. This very well could be your go-to boot of the season.

The second style I recommend is a wearable knee-high look. (Believe me – you don’t need to go any higher. Over-the-knee may be in-the-moment, but it’s hard to survive that look without appearing a little too Pretty Woman-ish). The qualifier “wearable” simply refers to a pair you can walk in - utility is key this Fall. However even with this stipulation you won’t have any trouble finding one that will complement your personal taste. For instance, take the Felicia and Ursula by Farylrobin. These two offer completely different looks yet they both come with their own distinct style…and both are made for walkin’. The Felicia is chic and minimalist and the grey suede version is downright luxurious while the Ursula possesses a tougher and more robust edge that would supplement any woman’s confidence in a heartbeat.

Well, I suppose with boots like these maybe dropping temperatures aren’t so bad after all.

- Morgan Williams, Running With Heels.com

LABOR DAY FASHION

2009-09-01T10:16:00.008-05:00

With Labor Day falling one week later than usual this year, we are soaking up every last drop of summer and savoring all the things we love about the season – the food, the sunshine, the parties and the fashion! No matter how you spend your Labor Day Weekend, dress to impress with the hottest styles of the season. We have paired styles from Farylrobin’s summer collection with our favorite Labor Day outfits below.

At the beach:

Anthropologie.com, ShopFaylrobin.com

At the barbecue:

Nordstrom.com, ShopFarylrobin.com

In the city:

Nordstrom.com, ShopFarylrobin.com

SHOE MUSING IN NYC

2009-08-27T11:11:00.003-05:00

We hit the streets of NYC yesterday evening to see what women were wearing during rush hour on one of the hottest days of summer. What did we find? Not only was every person we spoke with sportin’ a flat but, each woman wanted to tell us (unsolicited) the story behind their shoes – where she got them, how much she paid, why she liked them, that her friends didn’t like them, etc. Women really do have a relationship with their shoes! What do you think of the rush hour style in NYC yesterday?

RETAILER SPOTLIGHT

2009-08-25T11:54:00.007-05:00

We Heart Shaylon & Amy’s Shoes

Today is our first Retailer Spotlight! Each month, we plan on highlighting retailers we think you might like to get to know better. Today we would like you to meet Shaylon in South Carolina and Amy’s Shoes in Cleveland.

Shaylon

Greenville, SC

Phone: 864-232-4255

Web site: ShaylonShoes.com

Launched in June of this year, Shaylon is a brand new premiere shoe boutique in the heart of Greenville, South Carolina. Their mission is to offer customers exclusive designer styles – a la Farylrobin! At this store, Farylrobin summer styles are now all 50% off to make way for the incoming Fall 09 shoes that are just starting to hit the shelves. If you are from Greenville, this store is a must-shop, and if you are not from the area, have no fear, you can give them a call and they will place your order over the phone. Here are some styles you can snap up at Shaylon.

Amy’s Shoes

Rocky River, OH

Phone: 440-409-0120

Web Site: AmysShoes.com

Amy’s Shoes is located in the Cleveland area in Rocky River, Ohio. We have worked with owner Amy Puchowicz for several seasons and just love her store and her passion for providing the fashion-conscious women of Cleveland incredible shoes. Visit them in person, online or order Farylrobin styles over the phone. Here is a sample of what they currently have in store.

FARYL’S FAV CELEB STYLE -- LEIGHTON MEESTER

2009-08-19T15:29:00.010-05:00

We love Leighton Meester’s sophisticated, fashion-forward style that she sports both on and off the set of Gossip Girl. No doubt when she is playing Blair on the popular primetime show she has one of the best wardrobes in Hollywood, but Leighton carries her great fashion sense off the set where she blends figure-flattering pieces with statement shoes in bold colors and constructions. She shows no fear when it comes to drawing attention to her feet with edgy, yet feminine footwear, that makes a strong style statement.

Some of our favorite of Leighton’s footwear choices are pictured below. She has been spotted in sexy, architecturally-inspired cage heels, leather ankle booties in deep indigo and most recently at the Teen Choice Awards she wore gorgeous, crimson, platform Mary Janes.

What are your thoughts on Leighton’s style?

If you like Leighton's style, you might also like these Farylrobin shoes that we place under the "bold but feminine" category.

SUMMER EXIT SALE

2009-08-17T16:10:00.019-05:00

As stores start to make room for Fall 09, it’s your chance to get the best of summer while summer is still here! We did some online window shopping to find out where our favorite summer styles are now on sale. Consider us your personal shoe shoppers for the day!

SearleNYC.com

Multiple styles discounted. It doesn't look like the prices are reduced but we know they are.

OnlineShoes.com

57% off our favorites like the Suzu and the Suki

Endless.com

Up to 50% off nearly 100 different styles, plus free overnight delivery.

Farylrobin Flies Higher on Inc 5000 List

2009-08-13T09:51:00.011-05:00

The Inc. 5000 List has named Farylrobin to the coveted list of the fastest growing privately-held companies for the THIRD consecutive year. Coming in at #2212, this is a 15% jump on the list from last year.

Despite a struggling year for retail, Farylrobin Footwear continues to grow significantly. Launched in 2002 by designer and female entrepreneur Faryl Robin Morse, the brand credits its success to serving women’s needs for bold, sophisticated designs and its strategic position in a crowded market.

“Being named to this list for the third straight year is an honor we are so proud to receive,” says Morse. “We always aim for a trifecta with our customers – to create a beautiful product that is high in quality and at a price that doesn’t offend. We think we scored that again this year, as even in this uncertain economy, our customers have returned to us in spades. They see our product as an investment that will last more than one season, and most rewarding to me is that our shoes make them feel confident as they step out into an uncertain world.”

To see the Inc 5000 list, please visit Inc.com: http://bit.ly/525Pm