Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the New Year!

What is a Mary-Jane Shoe?

We hear the term “Mary-Jane shoe” often…but what is it exactly and where did the name come from?

According to Wikipedia:

“Mary Jane is an American term (formerly trademarked) for a kind of strap shoe or sandal that typically has low heels, broad and rounded closed toes, and a single-buckle strap across the instep and/or around the ankle. They are traditionally made of black patent leather, although some current incarnations can be in a wide array of colors and leathers.

Mary Jane was a character created by Richard Outcault for his comic strip, Buster Brown, which was first published in 1902. She was the sister of the title character, Buster Brown.

In 1904, Outcault traveled to the St. Louis World's Fair and sold licenses to up to 200 companies to use the Buster Brown characters to advertise their products. Among them was the Brown Shoe Company, who later hired actors to tour the country, performing as the Buster Brown characters in theaters and stores. This strategy helped the Brown Shoe Company become the most prominently associated brand with the Buster Brown characters. The style of shoe both Buster Brown and Mary Jane wore came to be known by her name, Mary Jane.”

At Peter Fox Shoes we design many of our shoes with Mary-Jane straps. Besides providing comfort and security, this style is an attractive method of solving a lot of fit issues.  For example, if a woman has a wider foot with narrower heel, it will keep the foot from lifting out of the shoe. If a woman has a low arch, it will keep the shoes from gaping in the middle of the foot.

Mary-Jane’s are also wonderful for Brides.  They provide security for outdoor weddings where the ground can often be uneven.  They are also perfect for dancing since you don’t have to worry about your shoes coming off. (Especially if trying to navigate a dress with a big train or skirt).

The Mary-Jane style is a classic…we don’t think it will ever go out of style.

A New Way to Wear Dyed Silk Shoes

We really liked the outfit that Actress Kaley Cuoco (From the show "Big Bang Theory") wore to the 2011 Emmy awards.  It was a simple one-shouldered black dress with a "tea length" hem with very high red satin shoes and a matching evening bag.

She looked fresh and modern, yet with a "retro twist" and stood out among the many more traditional evening gowns.  A great way to add a pop of color to a black dress and show a bit of self-expression.  Silk-satin shoes don't have to be thought of only as old fashioned "dyed to match" anymore....have some fun with color and perk up any outfit.

All Peter Fox Silk-satin shoes are dyeable, see link below:

Peter Fox Silk Shoe Collection

Size 11 and 12 Women's Shoes

We have been offering size 11 and 11 1/2 shoes for many years and have now added size 12 to our size range.

A majority of companies only go to size 10, leaving many women with not much choice in their shoe shopping.  We have had numerous customer requests over the years and have worked with our factory in Italy to create size 11 1/2 and 12 “lasts” that will still look proportional. This means that the proportions of a size 7 shoe and a size 12 style will look the same. (Instead of the shoe just being made longer).

Please check our website for size 12’s….we will also be adding sizes in our new re-orders.  Sizes of existing style can also be special ordered. Please contact us on the link below for ordering info.
http://www.peterfox.com/contact-us.aspx

The Beauty of Shoe Clips

We have recently added a line of hand-made shoe clips to our website.  They include wonderful elements such as vintage silk and organza ribbons, Swarovski crystals and glass pearl embellishments.The collection is great for Eveningwear, Brides and Bridesmaids or anyone who wants to add some decoration to a simple shoe.  

Shoe clips are a wonderful way for a Bride to add some individuality or a touch of “something blue” or a bit of glitz to her shoes. They can also add uniformity to bridesmaid’s shoes, especially if they can’t all wear the same style. There are some really sweet pink and blue bows that are perfect for a flower girl. 

Shoe clips can also go from day to night….not everyone has the luxury of owning a lot of different evening or formal shoes. Dress up a pair of simple shoes for a formal event. Or wear your plain office shoes to work, add some fun clips, and you are all set for a night out!  They can even be used on hats or jackets….they are such a fun and inexpensive accessory.  Shoe clips make a wonderful gift for all shoe lovers!

Click on the link below to go to our shoe clip page

Shoe Clips

How To Care For Nubuck Leather

Nubuck is leather that has been sanded or buffed to give a short nap, producing a velvet-like surface. It is resistant to wear, and can be dyed any color. 

Black Nubuck "Sabrina"

Nubuck is similar to suede, which is made from the inner side of a hide, whereas nubuck is created from the outer side of a hide, giving it more strength and thickness along with a fine grain. It is usually more expensive than suede, and is dyed to cover up the sanding and stamping process.  While very soft and durable, it does scratch easily.

Follow these steps to insure your nubuck shoes stay beautiful:

1)    A bit of preventive maintenance goes a long way.  Spray your shoes with a protective spray made especially for nubuck and suede.  This process should be repeated regularly.

2)    If your shoes get wet, let them sit and dry thoroughly.  The nubuck might seem a bit hard, but the nap can be brushed with a special nubuck brush to soften the leather and remove any surface dirt.

3)    If you get marks on lighter colors, a nubuck “stone” or “eraser can be used to gently rub the marks.  This is a great product and can be purchased at most shoe repair shops.

4)    Nubuck can be cleaned. Special cleaners are available, but if you don’t feel comfortable cleaning them yourself; a good sho repair shop can make your shoes look like new.

Nubuck is a beautiful, soft but strong leather…...a bit of care will ensure

years of wear!

1970's Vintage Peter Fox Platforms

‎1970's flashback......
Peter Fox, Stained Glass Effect Platform Boots (c. 1973), [Museum of Vancouver, Vancouver BC May 14-Sep 26]

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.