








A city built around the daily commute, the public transportation system within London has a number of interesting influences on the daily fashions of those who inhabit it. There is a certain adaptation required due to the practicalities of travelling on the underground system. From suited gentlemen carrying camping backpacks, to women stashing high heels in their bags and donning running shoes on their feet.
However for me, one of the most fascinating aspects lies within the social developments of using public transport. London, as is any other city with a prominent rail or underground service, a city of floor watchers. Eyes on the Tube, if not occupied by newspapers or Blackberrys, are focused resolutely on the floor. As a result, whether aware of it or not, the daily commuter becomes a shoe looker, ever watching and considering the footwear of others. Shoes become ever the more important as polishing off that perfect look.
Footwear where men are concerned can most often go down one of two routes - the traditional leather shoe or the colourful sports shoe. Yet there are a number of designers out there who manage to create beautiful shoes, which are smart in appearance yet perhaps a little more laid back than your Church's lace ups. Rachel Comey is one such designer, who for me always manages to produce beautiful contemporary and relevant designs.
Comey's Spring 2010 offerings are in these respects no different, for I feel that her latest pieces are quite simply stunning. Traditionally simplistic in their design, she manages to bring an appropriately modern feel to her shoes. The contrast soles and soft, buttery leather certainly make them stand out more than your average leather shoe. The use of other materials such as soft suedes and canvases manage to provide a wonderful variety of understated footwear for any occasion. Indeed the charm of these shoes lies not in brash design, but rather considered minimalism. The care and attention to each piece really does show in their display.
The display of these shoes is actually what prompted me most to post the collection, for I find myself enamoured by these shots. I think that shooting footwear can often be a hard thing to do, for one would like the styling to reflect the feel of shoe without detracting attention. Similarly, the settings are harder to choose, for close up shots rarely leave for much background story. Yet, I feel that these shots complete both tasks beautifully. The distinct focus of the lens, rather than creating a harsh contrast or bokeh, manages to slide elegantly and easily. The eye is lead naturally around each image, and each image does indeed have a story to tell.
P.S. My apologies for the rather noticeable absence, I am thankfully back to blogging! I shall endeavour to visit all of your blogs as soon as I possibly can.
Currently playing: I Against I ft. Mos Def - Massive Attack
xxxx
Ahaha I just went to email you to make sure you're alive and well!
ReplyDeleteIm in love with the first image :)
lots of love
xx
LOVE the shoes...
ReplyDeletelondon is pretty randomn, but i always see the best dressed of people on the tube!!
xxx
I feel sorry for the shoes that aren't on feet - they look so lonely.
ReplyDeletelove the shoes..wish to have it..
ReplyDeletelook at those tan loafers with the blue sole!!! men get the best (flat) shoes!
ReplyDeleteLove the blue soles! The hubs neeeeeeds a pair!
ReplyDeleteI have used public transportation all throughout college. It's time consuming, but I am helping out the environment which is always great!
ReplyDeleteSO glad you're better, love! I bet it feels lovely to be home :)
ReplyDeleteYou've been missed dearly!
I've actually been wearing heels (and accessories! :O) lately while trying to add some variety to my outfits. I've yet to bring the sneakers along, but I can see it happening soon :P
I absolutely love the last few pairs! The delightful reddish brown with the blue sole is a beautiful contrast.
The shoes make me feel so comfortable and cozy, like I could curl up with them and sleep (even though that probably WOULDN'T be comfortable - probably the opposite).
I love it :D
xo,
hk
Great that you feel better DK!
ReplyDeletethose pairs look so comfy...love the old wooden floor too, quite charming & lots of character! xo*
I'll take the shoes from the first photo.
ReplyDeletesuch delightful pics of those shoes. makes me think of the fun you can have of summer. thanks much for the note.
ReplyDeleteOh thank u so much !! :) And yes, it was kind of tiring after those hours hehe.. And I LOVE juno !! :)
ReplyDeleteHope your weekend will be great too !! take care
those last shoes are lovely; shoes that are both practical and stylish are the best!
ReplyDeleteglad you're back!
hope you're having a lovely weekend as well!
What you wrote about the subways made me laugh! I'd look at my shoes if they looked that good too..
ReplyDeleteOhhh shoe porn, dare I say it?
ReplyDeleteI have MISSED YOU! I was about to email you today as well, but I know you've had other fish to fry other than blogging :)
So glad you're back and I hope well as can be!
XO
I do so love shoes. Walking shoes in fact. Each one felt like a moment for adventure. Glad you are back.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the note. Naturally, in the month of August I have to get to stories about Kyle and Nick, but still a few things happening with the others too.
i've always thought her designs were a bit too masculine for me until i saw them on a fasihon blog. i think heels would have made the outfit look more severe than pretty.
ReplyDeletewow
ReplyDeleteGlad to have you back. I hope all is well from the hospital. I love the shoes in the last photo. The locations for the shoe shots are gorgeous as well.
ReplyDeleteI love the blue bottoms!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back DK!
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh about the suited gentlemen carrying camping backpacks...this is one thing that bothers me a little about our gentlemen in London :)
I love the first and forth pair as they look comfy yet very stylish!
I am glad you are back and feeling great!
I LOVE those shoes in the first picture...and all of them, really. They're very classic and lovely.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're feeling better, my dear. Hope you enjoy the weekend!
New look?
ReplyDeleteI like it, fresh and welcoming for August!!
Thanks for the comment, it's been a rainy Saturday but comments like that sure add a chipper beat to my step. :)
Any new scented candle recommendations? I can't get enough of Vanilla Cupcake. ;)
xo!
Ah! London! For me I'm afraid DK, I looked at all the snazzy shoes (are most of them suede?) and then I started reading your post and I was away - all that talk of the London underground and London! *sigh*
ReplyDeleteEvery time when I'm on the tube I always stare at men's shoes....I find them particularly interesting labels or not...'Prada', 'Diesel', 'Tods'....'Next' hahaha. I like looking at small details.
ReplyDeleteAs for ladies shoes....I just look away.
Take care...
xxx
Those shoes are lovely, so comfy looking!
ReplyDeleteWhen I am on the train I also lookat peopls shoes, espeically when I am sitting on the lower level of a train and thats all I can see of the above platform!
xx
DK, sooo relieved you are well :) I do hope you're feeling much better!
ReplyDeleteYou are incredibly sweet to catch up on all my(and your other readers') posts!
These shoe photos are amazing, hard to say which is my favourite :)
I do hope you're having a lovely and restful weekend! xx
i love these shoes alot!
ReplyDeleteI love the first and the last two photos!
ReplyDeleteI love all of these especially that second photo they all remind me a bit of Secret Garden with Johnny Depp. Love it =]
ReplyDeletesize 42, please.
ReplyDeletehahaha
wish you can do blogging all the time and share the best thing with everyone.
:-)
i love a nice brown leather shoe on a man!
ReplyDeleteand i am definitely stashing flats in my bags on most days .
but i hate when women wear their suits with sneakers during commuting. they do it alot in NY i see them in the morning and on their way back .
flats are a better call i think
I used to always stare at people's shoes on the bus, especially when I was thinking about getting a new pair. I don't know whether the shoes that people wear have gotten worse or whether my tastes have changed (probably the latter), but now I find that there's not much to look at anymore. If only people wore shoes like in these pictures, rather than dirty old gym shoes...
ReplyDeletewoww, impressive! these shots are indeed beautiful, and the shoes themselves.. should be placed onto men's feet everywhere! haha but seriously, i love them. you find the best stuff for guys! always!
ReplyDeleteMy daily commute influences my footwear choices too. Often I opt for the low heel or flats.
ReplyDeleteGreat shoes. I always like seeing what footwear people have on.
ReplyDeletea great musing, so very true. i really enjoy my commute to work on the metro, just being able to watch those around me
ReplyDeletethese are some good GOOD shoes.
ReplyDeletehehe so true about the tube! love the shoes here, they'd fit in perfectly with some of the shots i posted on our facebook page!
ReplyDeletexx-LJ from SOS!
The first three shoes make me very happy. I love how prosaic these shots are ... one could almost think these were just taken of random people in their daily lives. I wish the best for your health as well!
ReplyDeletepeace&♥,
nicole.
Great pics! Great shots! The camel ones are my fav....
ReplyDeletei was also beginning to wonder if you were ok... well it's good to hear you're back!
ReplyDeletei love these shoes... sometimes it makes me wish they made men's shoes in my size. who knows why they don't make beautiful flat shoes for women....
Love the way these shoes are displayed. They're like personal photos from someone's album.
ReplyDeletelove your picks!! great pairs of male shoes! my favorite are the one with blue bottoms and with soft leather...
ReplyDeletebox-of-style
loving that first pair..i would wear those!
ReplyDeleteI want these shoes - size 41 please ♥ [do I have big feet? lol]
ReplyDeletethey are beautiful, such rich and timeless style
ReplyDeletei know these are for boys, but i want them all!
ReplyDeleteThe blue soles!!
ReplyDelete