InStyle And Assouline Fête ‘The Shoe Book’

by Dena Silver

If there was ever a fitting spot to celebrate a book completely devoted to chaussures, the Saks shoe department is the place. After all, it does boast its own zip code. So among slender stilettos and du moment flat sandals, Assouline and InStyle introduced The Shoe Book, a bible of sorts for the footwear-obsessed, penned by Nancy MacDonell.

Within the book’s red covers are tidbits from iconic shoe designers and adorers alike, including interviews with Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin, and (of course) Sarah Jessica Parker. But there were plenty of shoe-obsessed fashionettes milling about the party, like Misha Nonoo: “I have a full shoe closet; it’s a beautiful space that’s all about the respect and love of shoes.” Brian Atwood, also popped by the party, and discussed a recent pair of personalized kicks he designed for close pal Rachel Zoe. “The last pair I made [Rachel] was a really high six-inch heel with a chain up the back. That’s a casual everyday heel for her.” Obviously. Nicholas Kirkwood shared that he has no qualms about designing shoes for himself. Pourquoi? “Then I don’t have to go shopping!” Kirkwood explained. A handful of InStyle editors were also on hand for the bash, including Cindy Weber Cleary, Eric Wilson, Ali Pew, and Dana Avidan Cohn.

“We saw an early galley of the book, and from that alone, I told my team that I wanted to help get the word out about this book,” said InStyle‘s top ed Ariel Foxman. “This could have easily been an shoe porn book, but instead it’s a really thoughtful academic book with a lot of great access to designers.” As for the author, MacDonell is a seasoned fashion writer who’s written for The New York Times, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar. As for her recent shoe purchases? First up, the practical: “It’s very boring, I bought a pair of winter boots because I was visiting my parents in Montreal,” MacDonell said. On a chicer note, “I also recently bought a pair of Prada shoes!” she said. Also of note, the shoes donned by the shindig’s attendees were pretty awe-inspiring, as one might expect.

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