The Shoes of Prey Blog

Design of the week: Zebra Luxe

Jodie — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:12:27

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Happy end of the week everybody! And what better way to celebrate than with a wild design from one of our super-creative Japanese customers.

I adore this design for it's very successful use of pattern and texture in a way that I would never have dreamed of!

Funnily enough, although these would look perfect with an LBD, I can only imagine these shoes with something equally bold and exciting - like this incredible dress from Camilla:

How would you wear these shoes? Or, how would you edit this design to make it your own?

Jodie x

Don't compete with her first love (shoes!) this Valentine's Day

Jodie — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:20:13

Definitely too many shoes to provide links to! But if you love red heels you can start designing!

Sometimes significant others need a little nudge in the right direction when it comes to giving the perfect gift - the one that'll make you go weak at the knees. So, this V-day suggest that your significant other not compete with your first love - shoes - but instead, make peace and give you the chance to design your own shoes.

And, even if it's the last minute - our gift certificates are e-delivered *instantly* so a couple of clicks is all it takes to be an exemplary Valentine this year!

Thank goodness I have a blog to use to drop hints to my significant other ;) (cough: click here to order a Shoes of Prey gift certificate now)

What are you planning for this Valentines Day?

Jodie x

Interns wanted

Jodie — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:52:20

It's an exciting new phase at Shoes of Prey and we're looking for team members in the form of unpaid interns for PR, marketing, operations and customer service roles.

If you’re interested let us know and please do forward to others who you think would be a great fit for us. We’ve had several interns in our office. All have brought skills and passion, and all have taken away learnings and experience covering the start up space, technology and fashion.

Aside from a passion for and/or experience in PR, marketing, operations and customer service, we're looking for proactive, smart problem solvers, with a great sense of fun and willingness to come and get involved with us in shaping Shoes of Prey as we continue to grow.

Life inside a start up is a baptism of fire, and while it is a lot of fun it's not only glamour. We all take turns at doing the coffee run, picking up lunch, taking out the trash and we all have big projects to tackle as well. Your days won't be filled with meaningless tasks - everything you do will and must have a direct, tangible impact on the success of Shoes of Prey. It won't be the structured environment that a big corporation can offer (which can be frustrating if you've been indoctrinated into that kind of workplace), however the rewards of being able to develop and implement what you'd like to see the business be are great.

You'll work with and learn from experienced professionals - brand marketing, operations and strategy, media sales, software engineering, photography, design, web engineering and more. And, if you've been toying with the idea of starting something of your own, this is the perfect way to "try it on" first.

For unpaid interns, we can look at flexible working arrangements - we’re happy to flex hours to accommodate other activities or academic obligations.

We also have a very cool, relaxed work environment - brand new converted warehouse-style offices in the heart of Sydney's gastronomic and fashion district Surry Hills, with lunch, fruit, chocolate, coffee and tea provided.

What would be your responsibilities? This is the full list of what we need, enough for several people! The exact job spec will depend on experience, time commitment and candidate preference.

Order processing

Checking and processing new orders
Managing supplier relations and logistics
Packaging and dispatch of orders

PR associate

Researching appropriate publications and writers
Support in designing successful PR approaches for targets
Tracking effectiveness

Marketing associate

Researching marketing opportunities
Support in designing successful marketing campaigns
Tracking effectiveness

Customer relations

Responding to customers on email, instant message and phones
Hosting customer appointments

If you'd like to apply, please send your applications to hunter@shoesofprey.com

Jodie x

NEW!! Divine "faded" soft leather range

Jodie — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:07:46

Start designing!

Remember how I said 2012 was going to be an exciting year? Well, Not only did we launch luxe Summer sandals today, but we also launched a range of new materials that are gorgeous, heavy, soft leathers in faded colours that give us all the confidence to wear colour when we (ok, I) am so used to always reaching for black. There are a range of seven colours, the top being green, and red, yellow, blue, dark blue, tan and cream in large swatches for you below!

You can see shoes made from these materials in the new sandals range featured in my previous post :)

Start designing!

Enjoy!!

Jodie x

NEW!! Summer Luxe: Sandals!

Jodie — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:51:14

You have been patient, you have been kind and finally, they're here.... I am so excited to share with you our very first range of sandals! They're each made with a leather-wrapped sole, and are carefully hand-crafted by our technicians for you.

Luxuriating by the pool has never been so glam now that we've got our Shoes of Prey sandals on :)

From staple classic single-strap toes to multi-strap, buckled bling around the ankle you'll be certain to find the right flat to compliment that floaty caftan this Summer.

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And did you notice the new range of materials I've used??? More in my next post!

Jodie x

Style spotting: Screen Actors Guild Awards

Jodie — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:02:23

Image credit below

Oh, how I love watching celebrities at glamorous red carpet events and making my own list of best and worst dressed of the night! The Screen Actor’s Guild Awards took place recently and it was a veritable feast of bold, bejewelled colours and fabulous bling. Here are just a few of my favourite looks of the day.

First up as the lead image to this post is Emily Blunt in this gorgeous one-shouldered emerald Oscar de la Renta dress. The platform heels are lovely, although these sleek grey silk stilettos would have suited her, too. Check out the super shiny contrasting silver heel.

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Meanwhile, I love how Rose Byrne decided to ditch the whole long gown thing and chose this sparkly Elie Saab jumpsuit instead. The plunging neckline is sexy without being tasteless and that sharp bob looks pretty darn fabulous, too. She definitely stood out from the pack.

Image credit below

This pair of white silk 3 inch platform heels would have worked perfectly with her outfit, I think.

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Sultry Modern Family star, Sofia Vergara was a knockout in this divine fuschia strapless dress from Marchesa and dripping in jewels by Judith Leiber.

Image credit below

I can’t quite see what shoes she’s wearing with this dress, but if I was her, I’d definitely have some fun and go for a bright pair of heels in a contrasting colour. What do you think of this pair of soft leather blue peeptoe heels?

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Who do you think was the best dressed celebrity of the night?

Jodie x

Images by PRPhotos. No endorsement implied.

Styling: snakeskin stilettos three ways, office, date and brunch

Jodie — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:42:14

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I’ve been known to justify purchases from time to time with the age-old calculation of “cost per wear”. I’m sure its one you know, but for the newbys, it’s when you justify a purchase (especially one that’s a little higher than your budget) by dividing the cost by the number of times you’ll wear it*.

So, today is about getting the most out of your gorgeous custom-made shoes. I’ve picked out a really cute pair by one of our Russian designers, Ekaterina. A cute peep toe stiletto made from darker cream snakeskin and highlights of pink suede, this heel can go from office to date in a flash.

The first look is for the office. Steering away from black (but never fear, not too far) is this cute navy and cream Petite tuck shift dress from Topshop. Complimented with some edgy gold pieces from Nicole Richie’s jewelry label House of Harlow and those little hints of pink suede in the shoes, you’re ready for the boardroom without leaving your personality at the door.

Next up is brunch. I always find creating a brunch look a little tricky. I don’t want to seem too dressed up but I also want to look polished... so, take a nautical top and well-tailored skinny jeans to get that weekend vibe, and pair it with some bling and stilettos just to make sure you’re well out of shlumpadinka** territory.

Lastly, date night. The really cool thing about this shoe is that aside from the very versatile darker cream snakeskin, the texture makes it one that can translate to evening and not look out of place. Giving a nod to the pink suede highlights in the shoe, we’ve paired it with a Sass and Bide Pick 'N' Mix embroidered strapless dress.

What was the last purchase you made using the "cost per wear" justification?

Jodie x

*Example - my leather jacket cost $550... but I wear it almost every day in the Winter. Winter is about 3 months long, or 90 days. And sometimes I travel to cold climates... so maybe I have 100 days of winter per year. The jacket is timeless, but let’s say it will be in fashion for 4-5 years... so that’s $550/500 wears = only $1.10 per wear - yipeee. Cheap. Right? :P

**A word created by Oprah Winfrey referring to a woman who dresses as though she has completely given up. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=shlumpadinka

Work:
1. House of Harlow sunburst earrings: Oxygen Boutique
2. House of Harlow gold-plated arrow wrap bracelet: Shop the Trend Boutique
3 Topshop petite tuck shift dress: Topshop
4. Topshop cream chain crossbody bag: Topshop

Date:
1. Monsoon Alba vintage clutch: Monsoon
2. Sass and Bide Pick 'N' Mix embroidered strapless dress: Net-a-Porter
3. Kate Spade New York Gin Daisy ring: Zappos

Brunch:
1. Farhi navy and white consuela regatta stripe top: My-wardrobe
2. Asos bird across body bag: ASOS
3. Seven for all mankind Roxanne New York medium skinny jeans: Stylebop
4. Witchery raw stone ring: Witchery

Inspiration: rainbow ballet flat

Jodie — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:42:37

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Sometimes, it's impossible to choose. Chocolate or caramel? Blue jeans or black leggings? Wouldn't it be great to be able to have it all? Well, ta-da, these shoes show that you can! These adorable rainbow ballet flats by Marika are a fun take on a runway full of colour at the moment. Great design! I hope you're loving wearing them Marika.

Jodie x

Styling: Australia Day 2012

Jodie — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:01:08

Australia Day is just around the corner (tomorrow!) and here in Sydney we can almost smell the delicious scent of the BBQ underway!

For our global friends who haven't experienced Australia day down under, it's a national holiday generally spent having a barbecue with your mates and relaxing at the beach.

But if celebrating in a pair of thongs and a big Akubra on your head isn’t your style, we’ve got a few glamourous options to inspire you instead.

Whether you’re hitting the beach, hanging out at your best mate’s barbie or sipping a cocktail at a swanky bar, Australia Day is the perfect time to incorporate green and gold into your wardrobe.

Not only would it be a stylish way to give a nod to national colours, but bright jewel colours are hot on the runway right now.

Above are a few green and gold items we found that could easily take you from barbie to bar tomorrow.

A kaftan-style top is an easy option to wear to the beach - and it’s also perfect for swanning about at a bar late at night. Meanwhile, a brightly coloured dress will definitely turn heads.

And if you’re in the mood to really make a fun statement, why not give a pair of neon green jeans a go?

But if you’re unsure of draping yourself in gold and green tomorrow, accessories are a great way to add a touch of bright colour to your Australia Day outfit. Check out these earrings from Siobhan Way or this gorgeous gold cuff from Manumit Fair Trade.

Of course, shoes are a fabulous way of injecting some colour into your wardrobe.

How adorable are these three-inch yellow platform heels? They’re like a ray of sunshine at your feet! They're a great way to add a burst of colour to an otherwise conservative outfit.

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This pair of sweet two-inch green Mary Janes could easily see you through a big Australia Day bash tomorrow and back into the office the next day, too.

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Are you celebrating Australia day? What are you planning to wear tomorrow?

Jodie x

1. Emilio Pucci Gathered Ruffle Dress, from mytheresa.com
2. Sorbet, prescription glasses, from sneakingduck.com
3. Nada Sawaya Yellow Python "Toy Pouch", from bluefly.com
4. Clinique after sun rescue balm, from bloomingdales.com
5. Siobhan Way Bel été Earrings Handcrafted 18ct gold with floating 'scintiller' cut green amethyst, from siobhanway.com
6. True Religion Billy Neon Green Stretch Straight Leg Jeans, from Jades24.com
7. Manumit Fair Trade Gold Hammered Cuff, from fashion-conscience.com
8. Jenny Packham Yellow Star Sequined cocktail dress, from Jades24.com
9. Green pleat front top, from dorothyperkins.com

Design of the week: Skyscraper Colour

Jodie — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:18:49

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Gladiators have been one of our most popular designs from the very beginning of Shoes of Prey, and recently they've undergone something of a revival being designed with 4 inch square heels and a whole lot of colour... ladies, you got brave!

Our lead pair of heels are a red-hot shoe by Kristen.

And, in a highly versatile option that could really go with any outfit are the following gladiators - combining light pink, tan and black.

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And last but not least, party gladiators!

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Which ones would you wear?

Jodie x