You Got It, Dude: Mary-Kate, Ashley Olsen Launch Elizabeth + James Shoe Collection

Pint-Size Designer’s Leave An Even Bigger Fashion Footprint

Tiny twosome Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have teased us for months with news of their first-ever shoe collection, a collaboration with Steve Madden.  “Design aesthetic” this.  “Style philosophy” that.  Yeah, yeah show us something, already!

Mary-Kate gave us a taste of their designs when she sported a promising prototype (try saying that three times fast) at Fashion Week.  It was cute with a hint of the unexpected, just what you’d expect from the blonde titan who regularly outfits herself like a slightly mad Himalayan Sherpa just to grab a venti latte at Starbucks.

So, behold.  Their Elizabeth and James shoe collection hit stores recently and we are . . . under-whelmed.  Objectively it’s fine.  It’s a mix of trendy and traditional silhouettes at a relatively reasonable price ($195 to $500).  Well, reasonable compared to three-digit couture, anyway.

We had high hopes for a “oooh, pretty!” inhale.  But instead of a Alexander McQueen-esque edge meets Betsey Johnson WTF-ness, the line is a bit “hmmm, where have I seen that style before?”

Take a gander:

Mary-Kate’s been spotted rocking these suede flat gladiators so they’re definitely downtown-darling approved but they’re also the newest residents of Meh-ville, in our humble opinion.

And these menswear-inspired moccasins.  MOCCASINS.  The word alone offends us, never mind what they look like.

The look are missing something: like, a slew of buckles and  zippers and cutout details.   And . . . feathers.  Yeah, that would have been AWESOME.  Or at least visually interesting.  It’s as if deciding which over-sized layer to mix and match with which bedraggled, too-long pair of pants zapped Mary-Kate and Ash of all their creative energy.

That said, some looks did catch our eye:

What size queen couldn’t use four extra inches of fabulous? We j’adore the ‘Haley’ slingback strap and the sexy arch of naked foot these reveal.

And if you’re drooling over the season’s fetish footwear look, but aren’t ready to fork over big bucks for shoes like Louboutin’s ‘Differa,  ‘Luella’ is a brilliant alternative.

Word is, the Olsens will stick with Steve Madden for another shoe collection next season.

Are thigh-high boots on the way??

Sleek, sexy and sky-high.  Make a statement without saying a word in these BCBG slingbacks.

By ShoeMinx “Uncle Jessie” Fan Paige Muller

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June 7, 2009 | Filed Under CELEBRITIES, Celebrity, Celebrity Shoes, High Heels, Mary Kate Olsen, SHOE DESIGNERS, SHOE TYPE, Sexy heels, Slingbacks, Steve Madden, Wedge, Zappos | Leave a Comment 

Mary Kate Olsen Debuts Elizabeth & James Shoes

Mini Moguls Prepare For World Domination, One Fashion Line At A Time

Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen are set to conquer the fashion world from head-to-toe.  Which, when you think of the Homeless Dumpster Diving Chic looks they pass off as fashion is pretty amusing.  Belted caftan! Fedora! Ginormous jacket! LAYERS UPON LAYERS of dollar-a-pound vintage!  We went along that twins played Michelle Tanner and Uncle Jesse was a talented rocker and not a hammie Elvis rip-off but we can only suspend so much belief.  Honestly, looking like you have to panhandle for spare change is more eek than eccentric, we don’t care what the fashion magazines say.  Anna Wintour and company think in these Serious Economic Times that a $500 cardigan is down-scale dressing so clearly their views are more than a bit wonky.

Their questionable sartorial styling aside, MK and Ashley have great taste in funky footwear.  The disconnect between what they put on their bodies and what they put on their feet is vexing.  We are truly vexed.  Known for their outrageous taste in shoes, from sky-high gladiator sandals to trendy peep-toe booties, the tiny titans are set to launch a footwear collection in collaboration with Steve Madden under the Elizabeth and James label.

Expected to retail from $195 to $500, the line is expected to debut this March, but Mary Kate offered a sneak peek during Fashion Week, modeling their take on an ankle booties, a black suede wedge heel with a deep side cut-out.  They’re totally cute with an unexpected twist that doesn’t tread into “did you forget to take your meds?” territory.  Perfect for those of us mere mortals who can’t quite manage the -rolled-out-of-bed-into-an-instant-state-of-awesomeness but can appreciate a fab shoe, like these Steve Madden ‘Bombb’ heels, to help fake it.

By ShoeMinx TV Land Fan Paige Muller

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March 3, 2009 | Filed Under Booties, Boots, CELEBRITY DESIGNERS, Celebrity, Celebrity Shoes, Designer Shoes, Fashion Week, Mary Kate Olsen, SHOE TYPE, Women's Shoes, Zappos | Leave a Comment 

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