A Preview of Tod's Fall/Winter 2014 Collection

brightly colored Tod's Pin Gommino moccasins for F/W 2014

Tod's continues to push the envelope for Fall/Winter 2014, with Alessandra Facchinetti's second collection for the label called "Italian Set". 

While the clothes made from laser-cut leather are gorgeous, they are not exactly weather appropriate for our kind of clime, so can I just wax poetic about F/W 2014 shoes and a tiny D-cube bag that is the epitome of cute?

For the coming season, the classic Gommino moccasins are reincarnated with a safety pin like gold buckle, also in white, powdery blue and the lightest of blush, apart from the bright ones I showed earlier.

These heeled sandals will start the ball rolling for Tod's F/W 2014 series of shoe hits. One look, and you'll fall in love! These will look fantastic with A-line midi skirts, even plain 'ol pencil skirts.

These knee-high boots have that throwback to the 70s vibe. Glamorous and guaranteed to keep your gams warm.

Like Tod's moccasins, these ballerina flats will forever be here to stay. You'd want them in all colors too.

Now these loafers are the same ones I spotted in Issue #4 of Porter Magazine. The leftmost one, paired with a sorbet colored jacket and peach pants from Gucci is enough to convince any woman that these are closet must haves.

These pull on booties meanwhile, straddle the fine divide between practical and cool. Imagine this with super skinny jeans, a silk shirt and a boucle cocoon coat. Or even just an oversized sweater. I can totally see Alexa Chung rocking this.

As for the bags, the traditional D-Cube bag gets jazzed up with geometric patterns, or come in two-toned mink.

You'd kind of want to hug your bag tight when it's freezing, not just to protect your valuables but also because they look so perfect to snuggle into.

But I've got to say, I will willingly skip the bags for these adorable mini D-Cubes.

It can work as a coin purse, or some kind of minaudiere that can fit  a card, cash, lipstick and your keys perhaps. Your little girl wouldn't be able to resist playing with it too, I betcha.

In the Philippines, Tod's is exclusively distributed by Store Specialists, Inc. (SSI) and are available at Tod's boutiques in Greenbelt 4, Rustan's Makati, and Rustan's Tower Shangri-la Plaza Mall.

Tod's Spring/Summer 2014

The Spring/Summer 2014 women's collection at Tod's is designer Alessandra Facchinetti's first ever collection for the label, and there was plenty to love this season.

The iconic Gommino driving loafer, rendered in pony hair, now comes in stripes and spots.

The Ballerina Gommino comes in bright red, pink and cream...

even criss cross with ankle straps!

But what I love the most are their fringed flats and sandals. Love. Love. Love.

This is very cute! I am actually seeing a lot of styles coming out that are similar to this shape from Carven to Christian Louboutin, when it was like the sole territory of Marni back in the day. This is a must have.

Of course, the bags, the bags. The Tods D-Cube Bag comes in four sizes, with contrasting side panels, in a range of leathers including exotics. I've seen them at the @tods Instagram account and they are gorge.

Of course, the Bauletto gets the fringe treatment and some bags were more embellished than most, but I gravitated towards this sleek boxy Morsetto that incorporates the Tod's textured pattern, which is inspired by the Gommino and imprinted onto the leather.

Another milestone to this season is an extensive ready-to-wear collection which debuted in a runway show back in September 2013. There were gorgeous separates such as this crisp, cotton shirt and skirt below, as well as buttery soft leather capes, shirts, skirts and dresses. 

There's just an ease and refinement to this collection that lives up that casual elegance that Tod's is known for.

I loved the belt on this outfit. It makes the outfit and subtly attract attention with screaming, "Look at me!". Understated but still eye catching.

Meanwhile, the Spring/Summer 2014 men's footwear collection is built around their famous Gommino style, each shoe sporting a rubber pebble sole. 

Betcha you didn't even realize that without me telling you!

These oxfords, brogues and monk straps feature a complex construction wherein a leather sole is treated with rubber injections and rubber Gommini details. They are extremely elegant, and I can imagine, comfortable as well.

Tod's Double Stripe, as the name suggests, is distinguished by double stripes of leather going down or crossing a bag, wallet or shoe. 

It got its start in the Spring/Summer 2013 Collection and has now become a signature motif of the brand, seen here on blue, brown and grey base leathers.

There's a Double Stripe selection of document holders and iPad cases too!

There is in fact a customization service for customers, where a client can choose their own color combination for stripes. There are 12 colors available, with an option to add a monogram that is set on a leather label and hand-stitched inside or outside the bag. 

Ask a Tod's SA about this service, if you're looking for something a bit more special.

In the Philippines, Tod's is exclusively distributed by Store Specialists, Inc. (SSI) and are available at Tod's boutiques in Greenbelt 4, Rustan's Makati, and Rustan's Tower Shangri-la Plaza Mall.

My SSI Super Sale Finds!

I was invited by my friend Aneth & her colleague Alette to the SSI Super Sale for VIPs held yesterday at Mega Tent in Libis and if you have the time, it is worth a trip because there are quite some good deals to be found. Sale is ongoing from October 24 until October 28, 2012 from 11am to 9pm. 

Mega Tent in Libis is just past Wilcon Builders. They have everything from Rustan's Department Store brands to Gap, Zara, Make Room and all the SSI brands.

 Candy colored peep toe pumps from Prada

Prada - the nude beribboned peep toe pumps above were at 50% off. A long Prada wallet was about Php13,000. There were also bags, iPad cases and other small leather accessories.

nude platforms from Michael Kors

Apart from these ballet flats and boots from Tods, there were classic driving shoes and bags of course.

Smooshy leather bags in that trademark Bottega Veneta intrecciato weave

fancy footwear from Jimmy Choo

More from Jimmy Choo

Bags from YSL. I spotted a Muse Two behind the SAs. Not sure if those we're reserved though.

More styles from YSL

Bags from Burberry. They also had outerwear like rain coats and jackets.

I really wasn't looking for anything to buy for myself or Dada, but I am sure if you looked hard enough, there are some pretty good deals to be unearthed. I spent more time looking at kids stuff and found myself buying pieces for the kiddos. From Gap Kids, I got a onesie for Xavi at about Php400 down from Php1,400 and a tutu skirt for Berry for Php400 down from Php1,800. I also got Superga sneakers for Berry for Php795, they were originally Php1,450.

Check out the SSI Super Sale at Mega Tent in Libis if you have the time! Happening until this Sunday, October 28, 2012!

UPDATE: Sale is exclusive to Citibank clients and cardholders. Cardholders can choose to Pay with Points for up to 50% of their purchases. They can also avail of 0% PayLite for 3 months for at least P3,000 single-receipt purchase. 

Simply present your Citibank Credit Card to enter the sale. If you’re not yet a cardmember now is the time to sign up for a Rustan’s Citibank Card. Once you complete the application form you can join the sale and just pay in cash. 

Citigold clients need to show their Citi ATMs to enter the sale and pay for their purchases in cash. 

Ten Year Old Tods

Shirt from Topshop, shorts from Rugby Ralph Lauren, belt from J.Crew, driving shoes from Tods

The Leather Spa breathed new life into my ten year old Tods. Now they're almost as good as new. Right on time too, when loafers are on a comeback! See how much of a good investment Tods can be? They last super long, and through the fickleness of fashion. Well, not that these ever went out of style. But they're especially perfect when I feel like dressing like an Italian man, hahaha!

I can honestly say, the folks at Leather Spa do a wonderful job in fixing expensive shoes. I brought in my Lanvin boots and ballet flats, as well as a pair of Golden Goose Charlyes for reheeling and they came back looking like they never suffered from New York City's streets at all.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry about my Golden Goose boots though. See, they're meant to look beaten up and weathered, like I've been riding horses in them my whole life:

I specifically told the girl at Leather Spa THREE times that I DID NOT WANT them polished. Not that I was cheap, but you know, I just wanted them to stay that way. That's how they're meant to look like. But I guess they couldn't bear letting a pair of shoes leave the premises in less than tiptop condition. So yeah, they cleaned it up to kingdom come and they came back to me shiny and scuff free. For free too! I know, they threw in free polishing with the best of intentions. That's why I can't get totally mad. Besides, I can't blame them. Dear Hubby has been offering to polish them for me ever since I got them, and he couldn't understand why I wanted them to stay that way. At least, on the bright side, one of us is totally happy with my majorly clean boots!

Leather Spa, I really really appreciate the quality of your work. It was worth the price I paid for. I wouldn't hesitate telling all my friends to bring all their designer shoes to you for some TLC (Guys, they can take care of your shoe issues too!). Because you really do  a bang up excellent job. And you have an appreciation for a shoe's shape and aesthetic, that you never tamper with the details that make it special (take for instance, they shaved off the Lanvin heels to it's original shape and Louboutins are resoled with red zipsoles!). I really felt you rose to the occasion and put all those bad reviews on yelp to shame.

But sometimes, too much of a good job ain't that welcome either. Sob. Poor Charlye.

Leather Spa - Think  of it as a getaway for all your "good" shoes. After a couple nights stay at the "spa", with their cobbler's expert hands, your shoes will come back to you refreshed and rejuvenated. I wouldn't think twice about bringing in Louboutins and Lanvins here. Pricey, but worth it. I say, 4/5 stars.

10 West 55th Street, New York, NY
(212) 262-4823

The Plaza Retail Shops
1 West 58th Street, New York, NY
(212) 527-9944

Inside The Alexa

As requested by JCD!

See, it's very roomy...and this is just the Alexa. How much more the Oversized! Has two inner pockets for easy access to your phone/Blackberry and keys. So you don't have to dig around the bag for them!

Fits all my essentials: big wallet, pouch for odds & ends, reusable bag, sunglasses. There's plenty of space for a cellphone, camera, plus car and house keys. I've tried stuffing it with a Born Free baby bottle and two little snack containers of Berry's and there was still room to spare. You'll fit much more, with the Oversized! Like more baby stuff, you can practically use it as a diaper bag!

Take note, the pouch is pretty huge. It fits my hand sanitizer, compact, gloss, lip balm, cheek tint, tape measure, plus other tiny stuff to keep them from getting lost inside. So this is a really roomy bag, so worth buying! I am sure your smart, generous and kind dear hubby will be more than thrilled to gift you with such a classic and practical bag! Oh, did I mention extremely handsome? Hahaha! I hope this helps in convincing!

P.S. - Follow me! @CD_MFO

You Make Me So Jelly!

When our resident home goods design expert Sarj told me about her article for The Radar, I just had to stop myself from running to the Kartell store in SoHo. No, not for another Ghost Chair, but for shoes! Yes! Shoes!

Because isn't this Glue Cinderella from .normaluisa and Kartell just adorable? It comes in solids (and "Ghost" too, see that one between the red and black ones)...



...and two tone as well...


And come packaged just so nicely! Sigh!


At $135 a pair, that's a lot more expensive than Hunter wellies and even Pucci rain boots off ebay, but as Sarj contends in her article - "it’s not just plastic — it’s art."

When the subject of jelly shoes of course comes to mind, Melissa can't be too far behind. I checked out their site for their latest S/S 09 collection and I came out more convinced that the jelly shoe has transcended trend and has become a wardrobe must have. Jellies have gone beyond being worn for practical purposes, and have become indeed, pieces of wearable art. Check this one out, a design for Melissa by Zaha Hadid, aptly called Melissa + Zaha Hadid:

Which comes in a variety of colors by the way!

Of course, jelly shoes are meant to be fun too, as seen in this Melissa Ultragirl + Oswald shoe (which also comes in chocolate brown and British racing green)...

And the beribboned Melissa Zen Girl in juicy color tones like strawberry and blueberry!

Luxe lovers who turn their nose up on "pedestrian" rubber sandals and shoes might just be willing to go a step down with Chloe's bridge line See by Chloe's tie-back jelly sandal ($125, available at Shopbop, spotted this too at Bergdorf Goodman)

or Marc Jacobs's jelly Mouse shoes, on sale now for $112 (from $160) at net-a-porter...

Or they might just go all out with this one by Givenchy for $170 (saw this at Curve NYC, also available at Shopbop)...

or this thong sandal from Tods for $175.



So tell me, are you jelly too?