My ‘fashion adventures’ at NYFW haven’t been very exciting like last season. I’ve was working really hard on the IFB Evolving Influence Conference, so I missed all the shows I was supposed to go to, then yesterday, the one show I had an invite to, put me in a crowded standing room, and I got claustrophobic and light headed so I left. Sorry, guys… It’s been an exciting, yet tough week.
The one thing I did get to do was go to the Nine West office… When they invited me to visit their office in New York, I was kind of surprised, really… as it’s a brand that I’m familiar with and have a long history, and they just seemed so big, but it was nice to have the Assistant Creative Director Jennifer Malatesta walk me through the fall collection and tell the stories behind the shoes. I did ask the Jennifer about the mid-market knock offs, as in the Nine West collection, they also had a few ‘inspired by’ pieces, like a Luella inspired bag, and she gave the response that in fashion designs are inspired by each other all the time, and in many cases it’s hard to prove what is what. Which is true, even luxury brands take vintage clothing and copy patterns one-to-one.
Either way, I haven’t decided how I feel about that… as there is a heady, ‘in an ideal situation of course never would I wear a blatant inspired piece of another designer’, and the real life, ‘I like it, and it’s what I can afford.’
Some mid-market brands have been a continuous staple in my fashion diet… Over the last 20 years, I must have purchased 50 pairs of Nine West shoes…. they usually get me at least once a year, sometimes, multiple times, for me, they’ve been the standby, shoes that are affordable, decent and won’t fall apart in three minutes.
I do really like the new collection coming out by Nine West, particularly the thigh high lace up boots, and the bow gloves, they really did a nice job with the shoes this coming autumn and I’m really excited about it coming out… so here take a look… btw… I WILL get green boots this fall. Mark my words.
Loooove this bow glove!
And here is a Luella inspired bag… 
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LOVE the bow gloves!
Gina
I want that bow glove…right now! Great job on the conference, now you can take a small break!
Tami´s last blog ..Vouelle S/S 2010 Shoe Collection
I think you did a wonderful job with the IFB conference! There were some wonderful panels and I felt like I learned a lot from just watching the live stream.
I really like the Nine West shoes that you have posted! I think that for a lot of women (including myself) , they have always been a reliable mid to lower-priced shoe line for work, play or comfort. I’m always conflicted on the knockoffs vs. real thing-although I don’t buy blatant knockoffs, I know it can be hard for someone who can’t afford to buy a $595 shoe, but they want the look.
Sheena´s last blog ..R.I.P Alexander McQueen
I want everything you pictured above!!!! Especially the heeled mocassions.
Wish I was able to go to the IFB Conference
Sabrina´s last blog ..It’s Alive
really looove those gloves!! It’s a shame we don’t have any shop in Barcelona - Spain…
I would seriously rock the shit out of those buckle-over booties.
Ki.´s last blog ..kittenhotep: (Open shoe porn letter to everyone else: http://icanhaz.com/sweetshoes )
I love every single piece in this post. We must have a similar taste
Or Nine West collection is really up my street.
I never buy anything because it looks like the original designer piece, sometimes I don’t even know it is inspired by one. I just buy clothes/accessories because I like them and they suit my price range.
Alice´s last blog ..The Slouchy Pants
Those lace up boots are killer, but I’m SWOONING over the gloves!
Sally´s last blog ..Accessory Organization on the Cheap
Those boots ROCK!! Love them
Style Revolution´s last blog ..New Math Revolution?
These colors make me crave Fall!
Runway Rundown´s last blog ..Fresh Look
Wow, love the color palette- and I must have those wedges when they come out! Gorgeous!!!
PAPERFASHION´s last blog ..Will You Be Mine?
I would seriously consider those thigh-high boots and the bow gloves.
WendyB´s last blog ..Independent Fashion Bloggers: Evolving Influence
i seriously don’t know how people even do fashion week. i would be having panic attack after panic attack with all the crowds. it seriously freaks me out even hearing about the shows. seriously! on another note: i am with you on the nine west thing. they have nice shoes at a good price range. especially when they have their sales. wow! let me tell you those first two pics of boots. i love. i love the rusty/orange and the green. delish!
xxx
t
apparellel´s last blog ..polyvore obsession.
Very impressed! Nine West was definitely the it brand for high school and college and there are some surprising items in this collection. Oh yes to the gloves!
Chic ‘n Cheap Living´s last blog ..CnC Living Travel Log: Kisses for Free Japanese BBQ and beer in Taipei
Love the bags!
pintucked´s last blog ..pintucked: @WomenWhoTech O-Town!
Okay, I think I just fell in love with Nine West again! The wedges in the first pic, I love! (must get both the green and brown pairs) thigh high boots = lust and the bow gloves are super chic! Definitely need to have those on hand for next fall
& sidenote…great job on the IFB conference! Hope there’s another one in the works next season maybe? xo
I really like Nine West. They do such a wonderful job of combining good design with affordability and good quality. I’m particularly fond of their ballet flats : ).
The boots are gorgeous, esp. those black over the knee ones! And I’m diggin’ the gloves too.
Thank you so much for live streaming the Evolving Influence convention, btw. Very entertaining and interesting stuff. Plus I made some new Twitter buddies through it : ).
-SJ
SarahJayne @ Goldmine Trash´s last blog ..PARADE OF CUTENESS
Love this stuff! Nine West is also a fall-back brand for me. All of my basic heels are from there, as well as some of my trendier shoes.
I completely hear what you’re saying about “designer inspired” looks, but I can’t say that this specific example looks too bad to me. The shape is the same, but the Luella bag has so many more details than Nine West’s version. I wouldn’t have even picked up on the similarity.
Okay I MORE than LOVE those blue suede shoes. I heartttt.
LOVE those BOW gloves!
Vivian´s last blog .."Woke up in the morning felling like P. Diddy…"
I liked reading your post.
The laceup boots in the 2nd picture make me think they got their inspiration from S Korea
While the suede ankle boots make me think that I should have kept all my shoes from the late 90s.
xxx
dora´s last blog ..Vintage, baby! Shopping in Berlin
Love the wedge boots and love the gloves. I think I prefer the original Luella bag though.
Well done on arranging the IFB conference. I wasn’t able to go as I am in the Uk but watched th live stream. excellent!
Those wedges shoes are suddenly what i need now. Thats the worst part about fashion week posts! my wallet is trembling…
The booties are seriously desirable. I will be honest with you. I can’t count the number of time, I have walked into a designer store, loved a shoe, found it too expensive, and then hoped that I will find something “similar” at a mid-priced store. No, I don’t support rip-offs. It’s just that great designs are sometimes off limits.
All said, Nine West has some great designs of their own. And I have quite a few of them in my shoe collection.
The bow gloves are ridiculously adorable! Thank you SO much again for the conference. It really was amazing!
holyyyyyyyyyyyy cawBOWOWOWOW - im in love with those gloves.
dear nine west, a pair in red this way
okthxbye <3
meligrosa´s last blog ..Sightflowers.
Drool!! I love each and every accessory and shoe! I have had a doubt about wearing wedged boots but no more after this!! Absolutely adored these here and all the other shoes too. And those gloves, I’d give anything for them!! And the bags! Oh gosh!! I’m drooling!
Tamanna A. Shaikh´s last blog ..One Day, To Love.
I love those gloves! Love, love love.
I hear what you are saying, but I have to admit I love Nine West shoes. They’re comfy, they’re modern, and I suppose they are inspired, but so are so many other brands.
the bow gloves, oh my god.
and love your blog!
Elizabeth´s last blog ..Yeh,
your post makes me want to try to find shoes at nine west! those tall black boots are so cool!
Emily the Panda´s last blog ..Kiva Robots
want the first pair of shoes asap! might go check out later. green is totally unusual but loving it!
Nine West makes it easy to be trendy and not break the bank. Great choices. I want those gloves!
BobbinsAndBombshells´s last blog ..Weekend Reading: Links a la Mode
I love the shades of the boots in the first picture. The green will look amazing with black tights.
I think the handbag is obviously an interpretation of the Luella bag but at least it isn’t a straight-up copy/knockoff. Since most of us need something affordable, I’d rather get something that is similar and has elements of the pricier style than an “identical” fake on the street. Also you sacrifice a bit of the quality when you get a mid-market bag.
love the shoes…
Where can I find those gloves? I’ve searched everywhere?
Can I just say what a reduction to find someone who actually knows what theyre speaking about on the internet. You undoubtedly know how one can carry a difficulty to mild and make it important. Extra people have to learn this and perceive this aspect of the story. I cant believe youre no more fashionable since you definitely have the gift.
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