It Takes Two

Previously an outsider in the world of designer footwear, 2009 has signalled the much deserved coming of age for Brazilian shoe label 'Melissa' with two high profile collaborations with Brit queen of punk style, Vivienne Westwood, and Iraqi/British architect, Zaha Hadid.

Known for her wild footwear, perhaps most famously the sky scrapper platforms that a young Naomi Campbell fell over in on the catwalk, Vivienne might have been an obvious collaborator, but, to me at least, her designs are unexpected. If you're expecting post-punk Dr Marten style boots, or stilt like platforms, you might be shocked by Vivienne's lady like heels and pumps. Part of Vivienne's Anglomania label, these shoes comes in four styles, heart detail 'Lady Dragon' heels, t-bar Mary Jane's (shown in green and fuchsia), three strapped flats, (shown in blue), and 'ultragirl' peep toe pumps, (shown in red). All the styles come in a variety of colour combinations, here are my favourite, but for the full range check out the Melissa collection.

While Vivienne's shoes are undeniably gorgeous, (I'm in love with those white heels with the red heart), Zaha Hadid' s are also incredible. A visionary architect, whos most famous projects include the Bridge Pavilion in Zaragoza, the Rosenthal Centre for Contemporary Art in Ohio, and the Phaeno Science Centre in Wolfsburg, Zaha Hadid is one of the few high profile women in the world of architecture, and certainly the most fashionable. The influence of her deconstructivist architectural style is obvious in her designs, with each shoe looking as fascinating and futuristic as the buildings that have no doubt inspired them. I love the fact that these shoes propose an interesting marriage between fashion and industrial design, but at the same time are incredibly wearable, not to be left unworn in a box, like Hadid's architectural works, these shoes are for living in. And, lets face it, how cool would it be to walk down the street wearing a piece of cutting edge architecture with your jeans?

So futuristic, so brilliantly cool, just beware when wearing them in the sun: side effects may include bizarre tan lines.