20
G O S H O P P I N G
AMERICANWAY
JANUARY 1 2008
ILLUSTRATIONBYmARIOwAgNeR/AgOOdSON.cOm
Botticelli LimitedExperience,
Amsterdam
Use plasma screens and a control panel to custom-
ize your own “trainers” at this futuristic interactive
flagshipboutique forwomen, children, andmen. You
can choose the color, material, and form, and then
see your creation in3-D. Leidsestraat 61, 011-31-20-
528960,
OttoTootsi Plohound,
NewYorkCity
Somany styles, so little time. Clubby, funky, and im-
mense, this store is the sort where nobody leaves
with just one box. Cure your craving with platform
shoes, boots, kitten heels, bowling shoes, and Mary
Janes. Be sure to shop the store’s own label and save
by scooping up deals during the end-of-the-season
sales. 137FifthAvenue, (212) 460-8650
The SignetBureau,
Melbourne
Swoon over the ornate, handcrafted, design-forward
shoes of Preston Zly. Mostly leather, and adorned
with bits of straw, crystal, or metal, these creations
belie themass-market, trendy approach to footwear.
Made by artists, the flawlessly cobbled shoes are
uniqueand infinitelywearable. Try theartsyGertrude
Street location. 165GertrudeStreet, 011-9417-2176
MorganMiller,
Miami Beach
Inspired by a childhood trip to Capri, where she
bought made-to-order sandals on the beach, Miller
reinterprets her experience with this Miami shoe
shop. A contemporary symphony in white, the sa-
lon is stimulation for inventive production: Clients
craft their own shoes, choosing the straps, a base,
and an accessory, andwait just 30minutes for their
personal masterpiece. The Aventura Mall, 19757
Biscayne Boulevard, (305) 932-3451,
millershoes.com
StefiTalman,
Zurich
Like little sculptures for the feet, Talman’s Swiss-
infuseddesigns incorporate the tenetsofarchitecture
with contemporary styling and bright colors. Made
for women, the irresistible footwear, from ankle
boots to pumps, exudes elegance. Oberdorfstrasse
13, 011-41-44-252-81-10,
BobEllis Shoes,
Charleston
Looking for a Manolo Blahnik in size 3.5 AAAA?
Then head to Bob Ellis Shoes, the South’s most fa-
mous shoe hall and a Charleston landmark for over
50 years. It specializes in hard-to-find sizes (from
3.5 to 12 and AAAA to B widths for women, and
from6.5 to 15 formen) and is touted for its superior
customer service. 332King Street, (843) 722-2515,
SolePower
It’s time to yield to
your shoe obsession.
(Or, at the very least,
to visit one of these
unforgettable shoe
salons to seewhat
all the fuss is about.)
—BeccaHensley
Just forMen:
Bespoke Shoes
Gentlemen, do youbalk at all this Jimmy
Choogibberish?Does the ideaof a
closet like ImeldaMarcos’s, overflowing
with footwear, daze and confuse you?
Is your onlymotivation for buyingnew
shoes the need that comes after your
dog chews up your oldones?Well, we’ve
got news for you.Whilewomenmight
spendoutrageous amounts ofmoney
onuncomfortable, trendy shoes that
probablywon’t be in style next year, the
fewpairs youbuy canage like agreat
scotch, last forever (we repeat: forever),
andbe so comfortable (you luckydevil)
you’ll swear you’rewearing slippers.
Why?Because they’remade tomeasure
— just for your feet, your build, and
your bodyweight. The shoes are hand-
sewn, so you’ll pay aprettypenny for
theprivilege—$1,200andup—but
aficionados say once yougobespoke,
you’ll never goback to the rack.
Best bets:
Carréducker,
Anello andDavide,
Vogel,
Il Riccio di RossiMichele,
John LobbLtd.,
James Taylor and Sons,
.co.uk
MorganMiller,Miami Beach
