A Shoe Story

The Luxury Institute polled 715 wealthy American women (with average incomes of $291,000) and found their top three most prestigious shoe brands are Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo and not Prada, Louis Vuitton or Gucci. I am not surprised. I think designer shoes have been tainted by the same 'if everybody has it, I don't want it' curse as the designer 'it-bag.'

But what is interesting is that all these brands are relatively young. Manolo has been in the game since the 1970s, but Jimmy (designed by his niece Sandra Choi) is only about 12 years old and Louboutin 15.

Interesting that the independent handbag market still lacks these sort of independent talents. I know there's Valextra and Lambertson Truex, but neither of those or any of the other small luxury bag brands has made an impact the way Jimmy, Manolo, and Christian have. Consumers are going off a logo-covered Vuitton bag, and they're opting instead for a smaller brand Lanvin or a McQueen.

Could it be there's a niche in the swollen market yet to be filled? Something to think about this week as I trapise from tent to tent, fashion show to fashion show. I'll be doing videos each day too, talking with behind the scenes people in the business of fashion so please tune in.