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by The Backseat Stylers | April 24th, 2013 
London-based accessories designers Charlotte Olympia and Tom Binns have collaborated on a punk-inspired collection of shoes and bags, in honour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute’s “Punk: Chaos to Couture” exhibition opening this May.
The limited edition line-up will feature punked up versions of Charlotte Olympia classics, including the Dolly Riot, Anarchy Kitty, and Punk Pandora. The offerings will be sold exclusively at Charlotte Olympia’s flagship stores in London and New York, as well as through charlotteolympia.com starting on May 2.
The last time Charlotte Olympia collaborated with another designer, it was Olympia Le-Tan and the result was S’s adorable Charlotte’s Web book clutch. I have the distinct feeling her CO collection is about to grow yet again.
 
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by The Backseat Stylers | April 17th, 2013 
I’m a girly girl at heart, with a closet full of bow-embellished clothes and shoes to prove it, so I always have a hard time resisting any sartorial item with a whimsical touch. The latest object of my desire is a pair of Christian Louboutin pumps that don’t look anything like a Christian Louboutin design, at least not of late. There are no spikes, no studs, not even a platform. What it does feature is…a pair of Minnie Mouse ears.
The ‘Madame Mouse’ patent pump is incredibly chic, and an adorable twist on a classic style. They would make a fabulous addition to my footwear rotation, right next to my Charlotte Olympia kitty pumps. These lovely spring shoes retail for $845 over on christianlouboutin.com.
xx, S
Image Credit: Browns Fashion
by The Backseat Stylers | April 4th, 2013 
If I read my horoscope today, I’m certain it would be predicting a fabulous new bag or shoe acquisition in my immediate future, and it would be right. Charlotte Olympia‘s just-launched Cosmic collection is irresistible to astrology and accessories fans alike, and I’m both.
“I’ve always had a thing for all things mystical,” says designer Charlotte Dellal. “I don’t live by astrology but I do love to know other people’s signs; I’m quite good at guessing.”
Dubbed “Birthday Shoes” and “Zodiac Pandora,” the line-up features 12 crystal-embellished loafer designs and 12 matching handpainted Perspex box clutches. Each star sign is represented, from a bull against a black setting for Taurus to a set of scales against a soft blue background for Libra (my sign!).
“I’m a Gemini and they’re supposed to be youthful and witty which is something I try to apply to my work—I enjoy a good giggle! However I much relate to the indecisiveness, and I’m often of two minds about something,” she says. “Usually I like my own sign best, but this collection makes it really hard to pick favorites.”
I’d have to agree. The entire line, which retails at USD$695 for the shoes and USD$995 for the clutches on Net-a-Porter and will be arriving at The Room at The Bay‘s online shop in May, is completely swoon-worthy. Will you be repping your horoscope sign with a new Charlotte Olympia accessory this spring? Take a gander at the gallery below for the complete collection.
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by The Backseat Stylers | April 3rd, 2013 
ALDO RISE has been busy churning out highly covetable designer runway collaborations for a few seasons now, and for Spring 2013 they’ve got a winner on their hands. They Canadian brand teamed up with PREEN’s Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi on designs for their London Fashion Week presentation that have now been produced for sale at ALDO stores.
The mini collection features two pumps, the ‘Musilova’ and ‘Pravda’, both available in two colourways. The Musilova in yellow and snake-print leather in particular is to die for, and definitely a must-have for my spring shoe rotation. All four styles are priced at $155.
Shop the collection over on aldoshoes.com.
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by The Backseat Stylers | February 13th, 2013 
As we mourn the fact that we haven’t been in New York this past week for the Fall 2013 collections, we’ve discovered yet another reason we need to get to Manhattan, stat: shoes! The Museum at FIT unveiled its latest exhibition last week, and it’s a must-see for footwear addicts like us.
Curated by Dr. Valerie Steele, Shoe Obsession features over 150 pairs of jaw-dropping shoes from the 21st century. Christian Louboutin, Charlotte Olympia, Nicholas Kirkwood, Manolo Blahnik – all of our favourite shoe designers are included in the exhibit, and are just a few of the many represented. There are also extraordinary designs from Chanel, Alexander McQueen, Prada and more, many of which come straight from the shoe closets of the likes of Daphne Guinness.
The exhibit runs until April 13, which gives us exactly 2 months to get ourselves to New York for a viewing of the Shoe Obsession exhibition and, of course, for a visit to the Saks Fifth Avenue shoe floor for a pair or two to take home with us. In the meantime, check out the gallery below for a peek at some of the shoes featured in the exhibition.
  
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by The Backseat Stylers | February 9th, 2013 
Happy Chinese New Year! We at The Backseat Stylers are celebrating the only ways we know how, namely by: (1) stuffing our faces with dim sum, and (2) buying swanky new kicks. Specifically, we’ve got our eye on Converse‘s sneaker collection in honour of the Year of the Snake.
The line-up features 2 styles, the Chuck Taylor All Star Chinese New Year Collection ($75-100) and the Pro Leather Year of the Snake ($130), and both are to-die-for. Leather high tops have been on my wishlist for years now, and these are definite must-haves.
Converse’s CNY offerings are available in selected retailers around the world and on converse.com. Now all I have to do is settle on which pair…decisions, decisions…
 
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by The Backseat Stylers | January 30th, 2013 
While Charlotte Olympia‘s kitty flats have been spotted on the likes of Anne Hathaway, Alexa Chung and even Lena Dunham, it’s the high-heeled version that have found a regular spot in my shoe rotation. My black velvet pair have served me well (see the evidence here and here); so much so, in fact, that I’ve got my eye on a second pair.
A bit of online window-shopping recently led to the discovery of the existence of navy velvet kitty pumps. The words “navy velvet” alone are enough to get my heart rate up, never mind the whimsical cat faces. Obviously, I need them too.
Feel the same way? They’re available at Net-a-porter for $695.
xx, S
Image Credit: Net-a-porter
by The Backseat Stylers | January 8th, 2013 
What’s this? A new blog series! We’ve dubbed it ‘A Peek in the Backseat’ and, well, it’s exactly that: a look at some of our closet favourites and how they got there. First up? How about a little red-soled goodness from Christian Louboutin, one of my earliest designer shoe acquisitions.
Introducing my beloved “C’est Moi” booties, purchased back in 2008 from saks.com. They may seem a tad under-designed compared to Mr. Louboutin’s more recent offerings, but their simplicity is what I loved most about them. Three geniusly placed buttons on an otherwise plain black bootie made for one very chic fall shoe indeed. It was my very first pair of ankle booties, in fact, and I’ve been addicted to them ever since.
These babies sadly haven’t seen the light of day in a few years, but writing this post has rekindled my love for them. They deserve to be taken out for a spin, wouldn’t you say?
xx, S
by The Backseat Stylers | November 28th, 2012 
By now it should be blatantly obvious to you that I’m a serious Charlotte Olympia addict, and I must confess that it’s an obsession that shows no signs of waning. In fact, a festive email heralding the upcoming release of an exclusive holiday collection from the UK-based accessories designer popped into my inbox yesterday and made me squeal.
Glitter kitty flats, ‘Jingle Bell Dolly’ pumps with detachable bells, the classic CO ‘Pandora’ clutch with a gilded ribbon clasp – I want it all! You hear me Santa and/or the Mister? All of it. But if I must settle on just one, finding the mistletoe-adorned ‘Kiss Me Dolly’ platform pumps under the tree would surely make my Christmas. (Not so subtle) hint, hint.
The holiday collection will be available exclusively at the Charlotte Olympia boutiques in New York and London, as well as on charlotteolympia.com and net-a-porter.com, beginning December 4. In Canada, The Room at The Bay will be stocking the two cheerful ‘Dolly’ styles. You’ll want to take note of that, Santa.
xx, S
Images courtesy of Charlotte Olympia
by The Backseat Stylers | September 27th, 2012 
Stuart Weitzman has collaborated with five young celebrities on his second Young Hollywood Cares collection to benefit ovarian cancer research. The footwear designer co-designed exclusive styles with actresses Chloe Moretz, Julianne Hough, AnnaSofia Robb, Brooklyn Decker and Nikki Reed.
Retailing from $375 to $425, the collection features a black pony hair pump with magenta trim from Robb, a buckled bootie with metallic cap-toe from Decker, a textured black pump with burgundy platform and ankle strap from Reed, a patent leather lace-up bootie from Hough, and my favourite of the group, a tan and navy animal-print embossed brogue from Moretz.
The Young Hollywood Cares collection will be available at Stuart Weitzman flagship stores in New York, Beverly Hills and Boston, as well as online at stuartweitzman.com, starting next week. I think I need those incredible Weitzman x Moretz brogues in my life, and the fact that the purchase will benefit a good cause is like the bow on my shoe box.
  
xx, S
Images via WWD
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THE BACKSEAT STYLERS BY T & S
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