My personal favorite is still Angel’s gorgeous shirt dress, paired with blue and red Stella McCartney heels. This dress is just so funky and wearable – it just looks effortlessly chic, which I think takes a tremendous amount of skill. I hope Angel can keep up and continue delivering in the coming weeks.

I also really enjoyed Daniella’s take on Alexander McQueen (who happens to be one of my favorite designers). It’s a bit more challenging to design a dress that compliments the work of a designer who creates both shoes and clothes. A certain expectation comes along with what he evokes, and I believe she’s really done his whole ethos proud with this super sexy svelte dress.

And now, since we’re done piling on the praise…here are the worst designs for the week.

Andrew was the loser, with a dress that Manolo Blahnik loving Carrie Bradshow would never even consider. What a shame…though the shoes are still heaven to look at.

But It’s a good thing for Merlin he’s been pretty strong for the past few weeks – because this costume dress is just awful. Giuseppe Zanotti heels or not, there is no way any woman in her right mind would go for this. Not a chance!

I also didn’t care for James-Paul’s dress for Jimmy Choos. Maybe I’ve just come to expect more from him, but it just felt flat and frumpy from the loose waist to the unflattering hemline.

The Fashion Show airs at 10pm ET/PT on Bravo - after each episode, check out Tresemme’s Style Seeker for hair style tips and don’t forget that the winning design is available for purchase on BravoTV.com!

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The Fashion Show: Episode 4 Best and Worst

There was no wasting time – the designers met with Laura Brown from Harper’s Bazaar magazine and immediately started in their challenge…create a pair of eco-friendly shoes for Elizabeth Olsen of Olsenhaus pure vegan shoes from a box of organic materials and plain ankle boot. Reco’s team was super strong and Johnny was declared the winner with his risky (but actually kind of cute) coverted wedge.

Next the group of contestants headed over to Bergdorf-Goodman…heaven for lovers of high fashion. The challenge: create an outfit inspired by one pair of super fabulous shoes. Around this time we also get a sense for just how suspicious our dear designers are…everyone seems to think everyone else is stealing their ideas and designs! Daniella…what have you started?

The cattiness and arrogant antics ensue back at the design studio – life would certainly be more interesting if we were all allowed to behave like this, right? Of course, it’s down to the wire with people panicked all the way up until the runway show. Let’s just take a minute to ooh and ahh at how lovely Kelly Rowland looks in this gorgeous black cocktail dress…

Reco, Angel and Daniella’s designs are declared the best…and Reco ultimately wins the challenge. Greeeaat… this isn’t going to make his ego grow any bigger…no, of course not…

I will hold off commenting on the designs in more detail until I have photos to share with you (coming soon!) but I think I have to disagree with the judges this week and pick Angel’s design as the absolute best.

But with winners…there must also be losers. This week, Lidia and Andrew are sweating bullets at the end of the show, while Issac lists off all the reasons they both failed this week. Lidia cries, Andrew looks pensive, and in the end…Andrew goes home.

The show is picking up and I can’t wait to see what’s up next week – word is there might be some plus size fashions on the runway!

The Fashion Show airs at 10pm ET/PT on Bravo and don’t forget – after each episode, check out Tresemme’s Style Seeker for hair style tips and don’t forget that the winning design is available for purchase on BravoTV.com!

Images: Bravo/NBC Universal

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The Fashion Show: Episode 4

Here are some preview clips from the show:

This baby step of a challenge is appropriate and Laura Brown reveals the secret ingredient.

The designers finally have a chance to make the judges proud as individual designers.

Anna is a bit miffed that Andrew’s pleating detail looks a lot like what she had done.

The Fashion Show airs at 10pm ET/PT on Bravo and don’t forget – after each episode, check out Tresemme’s Style Seeker for hair style tips and don’t forget that the winning design is available for purchase on BravoTV.com!

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The Fashion Show: Episode 4 Preview Clips!

The mini-challenge puts the designers to the eco-friendly test, with a new print for Olsenhaus pure vegan shoes on the agenda. Good for the environment and chic…now that’s a trend worth following.

For the elimination challenge, a common female problem is the crux of the matter…what do you do when you fall in love with a gorgeous pair of shoes, and have nothing in your closet to go with it?

The designers stroll through the Bergdorf Goodman shoe salon in order to find their muse – an avant-garde pair of high end shoes – then must design the perfect complimentary outfit for their incredible heels. George Malkemus, president of a wee little company may have heard of (ahem, Manolo Blahnik) joins Issac, Kelly and Fern on the judges panel.

The Fashion Show airs at 10pm ET/PT on Bravo and don’t forget – after each episode, the winning design is available for purchase on BravoTV.com!

Image: Bravo/NBC Universal

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The Fashion Show: Showdowns and Shoes

These slide sandals from Manolo Blahnik sport a chunky series of stones and an easy-to-wear 2″ heel:

Valentino goes for a restrained style with this minimalist thong sandal, accented with a turquoise-colored stone.

Diane von Furstenberg has accented this sandal with a panel of woven beads:

Go for the glamor with Manolo Blanik’s snakeskin slide – it’s accented with faceted crystals, this one is more “city night life” than “country cottage”!

images: Neiman Marcus

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Jeweled Sandals for Hot Summer Style

After all, there are the Grammys, New York Fashion Week is about to kick off, and of course – the Oscars are rolling out the red carpet in the next couple of weeks as well.

Since I am an opinionated fashion blogger, I must throw my two cents into the red carpet pool and pick a few special accessories that I think would make the red carpet walk a little more glamorous.

What am I recommending?  Clear, glittering crystals and pale gold!

Check out the “Brill” sandal by Sergio Rossi:

The nude sandal is covered with teensy little crystals for a restrained sparkle.

Want to up the sparkle factor?  Check out the hot jeweled slide from Manolo Blanik:

The metallic gold slide high heel has a wide band of crystal-covered jewels across the front of the shoe.

Do you want to make an impression as you walk away?  Miu Miu’s crystal heel sandal may be the perfect fit for you:

It’s a pretty, strappy metallic high heel in the front – but check out the heel!

Yummy!

images: Neiman Marcus

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Glittering shoes for glamorous parties

All you need to do is follow this link and subscribe to Neiman Marcus’ online newsletter and you’re automatically entered

What would I buy?

These patent leather “Leopard” Mary Janes are making me drool…

image: Neiman Marcus

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how much fun would a $3000 Manolo Blahnik shopping spree be?

 Camouflage patent leather high heel slingbacks by Manolo Blahnik???

I can’t think of an occasion that would require camouflage and high heels – a formal assault party, perhaps?

Combats & canapes?

image: Neiman Marcus

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camouflage patent leather heels?

Because casually mentioning “oh, these are just my Blahniks”, when someone compliments you is better than a shot of espresso

Because you’re worth it

So there you go, next time someone asks why you’re spending a month’s rent on a fabulous pair of Christian Louboutin’s you can answer confidently!

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10 reasons to buy good shoes

Okay, I’m kind of sitting on the fence with this pair. I can’t decide if I really like them or really hate them. Obviously an odd place to be, so I’m curious to hear what you think. If this pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes, were on offer at your favorite store, would you grab them or pass them by?

About half my designs are controlled fantasy, 15 percent are total madness and the rest are bread-and-butter designs.
Manolo Blahnik

Manolo Blahnik patchwork ‘Samba’ pumps

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Manolo Blahnik patchwork ‘Samba’ pumps