What is a D'orsay Shoe?

Many shoes are described as d’orsay pumps, but what does that expression mean and where did the name come from?

It generally refers to a pump style shoe in which the vamp is cut away on the sides, showing the arch and the side of the foot. The heels can be high or low, but usually it has a closed heel-back and toe.  Some shoe manufacturers will even include a hidden elastic inside the heel back which will help the shoe stay on the foot, especially for women with narrow heels. 

 

It is widely thought that this shoe style is named after the French noble artist, painter and sculptor  Count D’orsay in the 19^th century. He  was known for his charm and style in both fashion and art.  At this time both men and women wore pump style shoes that often didn’t fit and gaped on the sides. Being a style-setter and all around fashion dandy, he had the idea to cut out the sides of the shoes so that they would fit better.

Today the D’orsay shoe is considered a classic style that is both flattering and elegant. Leaving the arch of the foot exposed and often giving a peek of “toe cleavage”, it is also thought of as a very sexy shoe style, especially in a high heel. This style flatters most feet and elongates the leg for short skirts and eveningwear and even Bridal shoes.

Wedding Shoe Traditions

There are so many interesting Wedding traditions around the world, and many of them involve shoes!
From the website "All About Shoes":

Happily Ever After

Today, the image of shoes tied to the bumper of a car is an icon meaning “just married.” These shoes are considered to be a symbol of good luck. The origins of this practice have been obscured through time. More than 100 years ago, it was traditional in the West to hurl shoes at the departing couple. The throwing of shoes may have initially been a form of protest that a bride was being taken away. Over time, the tradition may have been modified to the tying of the shoes to the bumper.

Read more about Wedding Shoe traditions on the link below

http://www.allaboutshoes.ca/en/perfect_pair/index.php?target_table=perfect_pair

Five Wedding Trends for 2011

According to website  thebeautybridal.com, there are some distinctive wedding trends this year.
Five of our favorites are:

Vintage Touches
This includes beautiful textures, ornate details, natural settings and vintage inspired photos.

Eco-Friendly Weddings

Recycled paper invitations, food from local farmers and sources, and charity donations.

Modern Choices
Brides are opting for non-traditional choices in dresses, colors, decor and locations.

DIY Weddings
"Do it Yourself" is a big trend, this creates something special with personalized touches.

Social Media Influence
Facebook and Twitter will continue to be a big part of the wedding process, keeping guests informed and updated.

The vintage trend is of course our favorite (which we think Peter Fox Shoes are perfect for).  But we also love the movement towards individuality, being able to express our diverse tastes and styles.

Read the full article on the link below
http://thebeautybridal.com/442/five-hot-wedding-trends-for-2011.html

Visit the Bata Shoe Museum

If you love shoes and happen to be in Toronto, Canada...add the Bata Shoe Museum to your list of "must-see" visits.

They have an incredible collection of shoes through the ages and many special exhibitions and programs (and a wonderful gift shop with many shoe related items!).

From their website:

Welcome to the Bata Shoe Museum

Discover the treasures of North America's charming and surprising shoe museum. Hundreds of shoes (from a collection numbering over 10,000) are on exhibit in architect Raymond Moriyama's award-winning four-storey structure.

The Museum celebrates the style and function of footwear in four impressive galleries. Footwear on display ranges from Chinese bound foot shoes and ancient Egyptian sandals to chestnut-crushing clogs and glamourous platforms. Over 4,500 years of history and a collection of 20th-century celebrity shoes are reflected in the semi-permanent exhibition, All About Shoes. Three other galleries feature changing exhibitions, so there's always something new to see.

We welcome guided group tours and school visits as well as individual visitors.
Visit their Website
http://www.batashoemuseum.ca/index.html

Soles4Souls | A Shoe Charity Recycling Shoes For People In Need

Soles4Souls | A Shoe Charity Recycling Shoes For People In Need

If you've been trying to figure out what to do with you old shoes, then click on the above link to read about a wonderful organization called "Soles 4 Souls"

They accept donations of used shoes, then clean and distribute them to people in need around the world.  They have sent shoes to over 125 countries in the world and their goal it to collect 11 million pairs of shoes in 2011.
Not only are they charitable, they are "green" also; it's estimated that Americans discard over 300 million pairs of shoes that break down and can become toxic in our landfills.

Please help them in their mission:   "Changing the world one pair at a time"

What is a Shoe "Last"?

A “last” is the mold or form over which the shoe is shaped during manufacturing.  It is one of the most important components in shoe making; it determines the width, heel height, size and toe shape.

When shoes used to be made by hand one by one, lasts were hand-carved out of wood or sometimes made of iron.  Modern lasts are now made of durable high-density plastic that will withstand the wear and tear of mass production.

Many design variations can be made with one last, details such as straps and embellishments can change, but the toe shape and heel height will always be the same.

Peter Fox Shoes are made with lasts that have been designed and manufactured for us according to our specifications. Characteristics include wider toe boxes (even with the pointy toes), arches that hug the foot and heels that are placed under the natural heel  for better balance.

This close attention to the anatomy and detail of the foot is the reason Peter Fox Shoes fit so well and are so comfortable.  

Share your Peter Fox Shoes pictures

Do you have a great picture of yourself wearing Peter Fox Shoes?

We are working on a "Gallery" page for our website and would love to see pictures of you wearing your Peter Fox Shoes.  They can be from past or present, your Wedding or everyday (especially if you are wearing a fabulous outfit!)  We can use your name if you would like....or you can be anonymous also.  Some of the best shots can be just of the feet!
All submissions will be entered in a weekly raffle to win one our cute shoe bags.
Please send photos to the link below
info@peterfox.com
Photo from Modern Bride (model is wearing the "Britta")

Dyeing Silk Shoes

Dyeing Silk Shoes

All of our silk-satin shoes are dyeable to any color. Our in-house dye service will custom-mix all of the colors to match your fabric swatch. It is a process that involves mixing colors to get the right shade and adding a diluting solution to make it lighter or darker. (It doesn’t affect the size at all.)

 Some colors can be quite easy to mix, and others can be quite difficult.  We mix the color and then test it on fabric swatches until it’s right. (No matter how long it takes!)

 Lighting can affect the color immensely; daylight tends to wash out colors and evening light tends to add yellow tones to a color.  That’s why it’s so important to let your dyer know what lighting situation you will be in.

 If you are wearing the shoes on a rainy day, we recommend you wear another pair of shoes until you get inside.  Although the dye will not run off, it might water- stain a bit.  Silk shoes can be waterproofed with a fabric protecting spray, but we don’t recommend it since it seals the fabric and the shoes cannot be re-dyed.  If they get a bit dirty during the wedding or event, the shoes can always be dyed a darker color later.  Most of our customers end up having the shoes dyed black; it’s always great to have a classic pair of evening shoes in your wardrobe.

Have fun with the shoe color, whether you decide to match a gorgeous gown color or go with a contrasting tone…color can add just the right touch.  Many brides opt for pinks, blues, silver and gold shades or reds.  It’s a great way to express your individuality and wear a pair of shoes that are unique to your own style.

Click the link to our “Gallery” page to see shoes we have dyed. 
Pictured above is style "Annabel" dyed red,  even the ornament is dyeable.