Walter Steiger : Ballerina Platform!

Paul Steiger, third generation of the Steiger family design team, showed us around the new collection, which is a mix of modern and classic pieces like the half-moon shaped heels attached to 70s inspired glam and bold colors. There is a brood of modern architectural concepts mixed with trendy pieces from a mesh sandal and laser-perforated bootie to nautical-themed wedges and colorful animal-print dress heels that make up the Spring 2011 collection.

The crème de la crème of the entire collection, however, is the statement-making Ishii wedge, a runway look from the Akris fashion show. It’s the catwalk queen of the entire assemblage and you’d have to be pretty darn startling to stand out against this crowd. The design seems puzzling when you first encounter it. We must admit that our first thought was “How in shoes name does one walk in that?” Inspired by the natural feeling of your feet in sand or being gently arched around a smooth rock, the Ishii, which means ‘stone’ in Japanese, takes all the traditional concepts of designer shoes and throws it out the window.

Lots of sparkle, tons of glam, 70s-inspired color combinations, a shoe for Gaga, retro sophistication, and all the quality and tradition you expect from the iconic Walter Steiger brand make for a very cohesive project.