No one knows this better than Joe Moore, president and CEO of FFANY for the past 9 years. Joe graciously welcomed me into his office in Midtown Manhattan a couple of weeks ago for an in-depth chat about his role in FFANY, the show's history, its current direction, and where it's headed in the future, among other things. To be honest, this portion of the conversation would be best saved for a trade publication as to recount it on Running With Heels may be tedious and irrelevant to most of our readers. However, there is something we spoke about that I would like to share. It not only deserves mention because of what it has done for breast cancer research, but it also serves as a link between the footwear industry and the general public. It is FFANY Shoes on Sale.

Some of you may already be familiar with this yearly event, especially if you happen to be a devoted QVC shopper, as QVC has presented it every year save the first. In addition, the event gets over one million dollars placement in free ads in magazines and on television, assisted by the fact that they feature prominent celebrities who volunteer their time and faces each year. For instance, last year's celebrity was Sheryl Crow, and this year it's Reba McIntire who will also be this year's party host.

FFANY Shoes on Sale was established in order to raise money for breast cancer research, and raise it they have. "We gave 3.1 million dollars to breast cancer research [from the event] last year" remarked Joe. How do they raise such an outstanding amount of money? Mostly by selling shoes that have been donated by companies which include everyone from Giuseppe Zanotti to UGG at half their retail price on QVC, QVC.com, and at the Shoes on Sale benefit itself. The party in NYC was originally an event to thank those that had donated the footwear, but what it has turned into is another vehicle to celebrate breast cancer awareness and raise even more money for research.

According to Joe, it all started fifteen years ago in a tent in New York's Central Park. "Nine West Company's founder, Jerome Fisher, was very active in FFANY and his wife had breast cancer…[his daughter] came to her dad with the idea ‘Dad you've got extra shoes, why don't we get FFANY to sell them and we'll donate the money to breast cancer research?'" So a tent was rented and erected and people stood in line for half a day to get in. However, so much work and money went into it that the gentleman that ran the event said "never again".

A special guest that showed up that day had other plans. She worked for QVC and saw this as the perfect opportunity to be something bigger, and so after some persuasion was able to get FFANY to agree to set these future shoe sales up on QVC. Now people donate shoes directly to QVC and they handle it all. FFANY Shoes on Sale is currently in its 15^th year.

"Whether it's me or it's you, almost no one goes untouched by breast cancer. A mother, a sister, a cousin, a best friend….it's almost endless," said Joe, and unfortunately he's right. But what's heartwarming is to know that there's an industry devoted to doing something about it. Among other things, the money that FFANY donates is called "unrestricted seed money", which, as Joe explained, is the money that actually starts the research but is also the hardest to come by. It's only when the researchers find something that they get the big money. "I don't think there's another industry in America that truly has something like this" said Joe.

One of the keys to growing the money raised for the event has been selling the shoes online. Says Joe, "Three years ago sales were 100 thousand, now it's 1 million. That's the potential." The shoe sale on QVC is broadcast for three hours, but with the introduction of selling these shoes on the internet QVC now offers them through the month of October. In addition, year round people can choose to donate through the FFANY site.

This year's FFANY Shoes on Sale event will be held on Wednesday, October 15^th and as mentioned, will feature host Reba McIntire. Other celebrities will be sure to attend as usual, and will be celebrating the announcement of awards like Designer of the Year and Retailer of the Year. To learn more visit the website here, and if you'd like to donate at any time click here.

With the 4th of July just around the corner, you might be wondering what on earth to wear for summer's many casual occasions. BBQs with friends, company picnics, family pool parties, and the ultimate summer activity - camping, all demand that you be able to sit on the grass, eat messy foods, and even glisten (a.k.a. sweat) with ease. As you may have guessed by now, I am not big on sacrificing one's personal style no matter the setting. Therefore, I've assembled a slew of looks to help guide you through the casual season in fashion. Let's work our way from borderline-casual event attire to what works for a bathe-in-the-river roughing it rendezvous.

If you won't be hiking through the mountains and will have easy access to clean chairs and a working bathroom, go for a sweet summer dress in a lightweight cotton jersey. The easy-to-care-for fabric and pulled together look are an ideal combination for any quasi-casual event. Pair with comfortable sandals (like these sleek gladiators made by comfort-conscious company Reef), and you're good to go!

Summer is a great time to have fun with your style! Try playing up a prairie-girl look with eyelet and gingham at your next picnic.

Pool parties with extended family, co-workers, or anyone outside your immediate sphere of comfort, are a time for modesty, not your teeniest bikini. Opt for a simple one-piece suit paired with a festive cover-up and colorful tote.

Camping in style is no easy task, unless you prepare with pieces like these - and plenty of bug spray!

Enjoy your July 4th festivities and Stay Stylish!

Ally

Christie says that the biggest problem she sees with her clients is "their stubbornness to change when it comes to ‘date clothing.' Many women feel that it is perfectly fine to wear their business attire on dates. They often leave their office after work and go right out on a date in the same outfit they have been wearing since 7am. They claim they are too busy and it's too much work to put outfits together. I have had to coach women about the importance of paying attention to their dress. Going out on a date is like going out on a casting call." I think Christie would agree with me when I suggest that my clients buy something new that they feel really great and fresh in for a first date (all you have to do is bring it to the office with you to change into!). And there are some simple steps you can follow so that you feel like a million bucks and also feel like you can concentrate on your date, on the good time you're having, and on the future - rather than thinking what you're wearing isn't right, isn't comfortable, and isn't appealing!

The first thing to consider is where you are going on your date and dressing appropriately for the occasion. Going to a concert or sporting event? A dress at Yankee Stadium or Madison Square Garden simply won't work. You'll worry about indecently walking up the bleachers, tottering on your heels in the stands, and making your date feel underdressed. Why not try a sophisticated pair of dark-wash jeans with a wedge heel (much safer than stilettos in an excited crowd!) and a relaxed but feminine top…

The second thing to consider is how you present yourself. If you're going out to a formal restaurant, make the effort to go above and beyond your normal jeans-and-tank-top combo. And wearing something too casual can really backfire on you…Christie relayed a story about how "a couple had made arrangements to dine at the 21 Club for their date. When the woman arrived, she was wearing jeans. Since denim is not allowed, they had to leave the 21 Club and walk around to find another location. Needless to say, the date definitely lost its momentum!" Instead, take the opportunity to wear a flirty dress that is sexy, but not at all vulgar (leave the super-plunging necklines and super-short hemlines at home). Paired with peep-toe heels and a sparkling clutch, you'll get the right kind of attention…

Lastly, consider the time and longevity of the date. Are you going out to lunch or for after-work cocktails? White jeans with a printed, flowy top and cocktail ring give the breezy message you want to convey. This look is perfect if lunch turned into browsing at a gallery, or drinks turned into dinner at a trendy restaurant…

No matter where you go or who you date, remember that you can think of clothes as your armor…the right look can help you feel more confident, sexier, and ready to move forward. So go on a date and have FUN!

Manolo Blahnik. Just say his name and it conjures fantastical creations and unique if not divinely inspired revelations in footwear. Plagued by mass-market and generic products, Manolo's designs are more akin to a tidal wave of an artisan's creativity than to a breath of fresh air. Every pair is distinct. In other words-his shoes are phenomenal!

Every design, quite literally, has Manolo's hand in it. It is no wonder then that the haute couture ladies of Sex and the City fame deigned to fly across the world's televisions in his shoes and at the same time brought the name Manolo Blahnik to the attention of the masses. Even if the price of a pair of these shoes would require some women to eat tuna for a month-many will happily make this sacrifice. Although he had no formal training, Manolo has said "I didn't need it (formal training) because I have the best taste in the world." (source)

It's hard to disagree! So just who is this man that has incited such a devoted following?

Born in the Canary Islands in 1943 to a Spanish mother and a Czech father, Manolo was raised on a banana plantation with no real neighbors to speak of, aside from the sea. So how was his creativity sparked? The art of shoemaking, using ribbon and lace was taught to him by….his mother!

Writer's note: Manolo Blahnik learned from his MOM. I should pay attention and listen to my mother more often!

Like many young students, Manolo was sent by his parents to the University of Geneva with the decidedly more academic pursuits of studying law and politics. However, like most young academics, Manolo had other ideas about his future and would eventually enroll at L'cole des Beaux Arts (source-askmen.com). in Paris. A meeting with Diana Vreeland, the Editor of American Vogue would forever alter the course of Manolo Blahnik's life. Instead of pursuing theatre designs, as he had originally intended, he was instead intensely encouraged to pursue the design of shoes (and aren't we all lucky he did?!).

Although he first began his shoe career in men's designing for Zapata's in London; he soon found himself sought after by the likes of Hollywood legends like Lauren Bacall. Making his first break in the United States with a collection in Bloomingdales in 1978, Manolo went on to forge partnerships with the likes of other fashion giants in the 80's such as Perry Ellis and Calvin Klein. The 1990's brought further success and more creative collaborations with awe-worthy designers such as Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera. Of course, for any designer, there is no excitement like having your name on your own store; this occurred for Manolo Blahnik in Hong Kong in 1991.

Often, designers will catch the attention of Hollywood stars like Lauren Bacall and even get an opportunity such as gracing Bianca Jaggar's feet on her infamous entrance on a white horse into Studio 54. Manolo Blahnik has managed to not only maintain, but explode with his legendary status upon the world's stage for over 30 years. So what makes this man so unique?

As with anyone of his status, it would be easy to assume that Manolo is merely a figurehead, a name on a label. That the real work and design lay with unknown assistants. However, that assumption would not only be a misunderstanding; it could also be considered be a lack of appreciation of the creativity of a true artisan.

Manolo Blahnik does not leave the post of designer after the sketch has been complete; and for him this could be within minutes. Although his sketches often become part of his ad campaigns, this man goes many steps further and sculpts and files in wood a shoe last himself. Read that part again. Manolo Blahnik does his work himself. Alone. Manolo does this for every single shoe that bears his name-he owns his designs; he does not pass off the work to anyone else. If you have ever worked for a boss that had the big ideas but had not a clue how to translate that into reality or had no idea of the logistics involved, then you must appreciate and be in awe of someone of this caliber that continues to be able to do both-even with his level of acclaim.

When he creates the molds from which his designs will be cast, he must have an inherent understanding of the form and function of all parts of a shoe-the technical aspects of the shoe design. He has to know how the heel, sole and straps will all function as a design to make a wearable and beautiful shoe. Manolo himself has said "It's a cross between carpenter work and creating an object. In the beginning it's totally fantasy, totally creation, but then it becomes technical." (source)

A designer that can transcend from the purely artistic world to the technical and "real" world of function and mechanics and still create a masterpiece of a shoe is truly a rare breed today. Even if the price of a pair of Manolo Blahnik's will be something you only dream about, you still have to agree with Alexandra Shulman, editor of Vogue, when she said "If God had wanted us to wear flat shoes, he wouldn't have invented Manolo Blahnik." (source)

Read more about him here; or to buy, visit any store online like Neiman Marcus or Bergdorf Goodman. Happy shopping! Or sweet dreams!

Where to begin? Fall of 2008 pulls a lot of its inspiration from the1920's silver screen - exciting! It brings back the old glamor and sex appeal that perhaps we didn't realize was something we personally could partake in, but my advice is to jump right in and try it out. The focus is on heavy satins, liquid, glossy shine, and luxe metallic finishes. Mary Jane influences and multiple strap details are the silhouettes to look for. Bows, rosettes and knots in the company of gathered softer looks will also be important, and platforms and column heels are key details that fall into this category.

The color palette for this group consists of Crimson Red, Smoky Grey, Blush and Golden Caramel…

The next influence this fall is Men's Tailored, which is obviously found more in the details. Pinking, perf details, tassels and kilties will be details that best represent this group, but also look for materials that play on slick patents and exotic prints. Wood column heels along with modern and oversized details of artisanal hardware are also present. However, I must say that sexy heeled Oxfords are my all time favorite and in my opinion they are a must have!!!

Color inspirations are Polished Oak, Taupe, Charcoal, Midnight Blue, Port and Ivy Green…

Moving on, you can also expect to see a big push in the direction of Rock and Roll couture with Victorian and gothic influences. There's nothing subtle here…think industrial chic translated with heavy, significant hardware, and materials like ultra-glossy patent; even those with charred and molten effects. Tarnished metal finishes are paired with architectural details, severe angular heels and platforms reign supreme, and saturated pops of color grab the eyes.

Colors of this trend are Jet Black, Gunmetal, True Red, Fuchsia and Violet…

Casual Inspirations for this fall are about functional utility, artful approaches with high-tech influences, modernized craft and sexy sport inspiration. Material details include mixed media textiles with hi and low shine as well as elements with plush softness like shearling and butter suedes, soft tumbled leathers, and sweater materials incorporated into boot patterns. Soft fold over boots and even heavy weight canvas made a showing. And dust off those riding boots from last fall because equestrian styling was also an apparent influence on the runways making it a key player in this category.

The color inspiration is Deep Brown, Luggage, Stone, Moss Green and Grape…

In addition, skinny stilettos are back along with toe shapes that range from blunted to very sharp throughout the different trends. All in all, this exhilarating new season is sure to deliver everything from handsome fashions to rocker chic style and old glam appeal for our closets that will make you jump right out of your Havaianas…

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