André Leon Talley, contributing editor for Vogue, towers as fashion’s majestic guardian. His distinguished 6-foot-4 frame and booming voice command attention. So do his outfits.
On an unseasonably warm fall afternoon at Neiman Marcus Fashion Island, Talley wore a billowy burnt orange Tom Ford caftan. He beamed as a crowd of Vogue fans and Manolo acolytes met for a conversation with him and George Malkemus III, Manolo Blahnik CEO.
Questions ranged from the gossipy “When will Anna Wintour retire?” (“Never”); to global “How was Russia?” (“It paid very well. And, no! I had no interest in meeting Mr. Putin”); and, finally, to the vital, “What are your favorite Manolos this season?”
At that, Talley scanned Neiman’s shoe department. He pointed toward a top shelf. On display: a pair of Fufius Hangisi knee-high boots by Manolo Blahnik: a towering 4.3-inch heel with delicate pointed toe and four crystal-adorned buckles. “If you don’t have a man, go out wearing those,” said Talley. “You won’t be alone for long, honey.”
This winter, the attire is noticeably boudoir-friendly: flowing robes, hand-sewn velvet slippers and sultry high-heel Manolos.
As the event ended, women lined up, eagerly waiting to try on the Fufius Hangisi boots. Talley’s feet stayed cozy in tan suede, fur-lined moccasins.
Newport Beach shoe lovers Kim Fox and Lynn Pyle designed the fashion- and bedroom-friendly Fifi Venezia velvet slippers ($235) handcrafted in Italy. Available at A’maree’s, Newport Beach :: fifivenezia.com
