If you're itching for an architectural strappy platform, make this L.A.M.B. shoe the one you buy. It's got everything right for fall - metallic silver, a platform, architectural straps and a peep toe - and it looks ridiculously hot. Doesn't it? Come on, when we're right, we're right.

Flats are fabulous, especially now that we're transitioning into fall. As with any transition, seasonal or otherwise, what does one do when it is getting to cool to wear one thing, but it's a bit warm for another? The answer, fabulous flats. We here at Couture picked out our favorites, each with their own little something - a buckle, bright color, or bows, for instance - to help you stand out.

1.) Elie Tahari driving shoe 2.) Moschino velvet flats 3.) Taryn Rose Branda flats 4.) Kate Spade Bedelia flats 5.) Marc by Marc Jacobs Red Kid flats 6.) Michael Kors Hanna flats 7.) Belle by Sigerson Morrison flats 8.) Emilio Pucci navy/ivory patent flats 9.) Juicy Couture Ever yellow flats

Where does one begin? Every starlet in Hollywood these days is either a model/actress, actress/model, actress/designer or actress/singer, no? Or so it would seem. On Wednesday, July 16, the Candie’s brand and Hayden Panettiere took over PerezHilton.com to promote the new Candie’s ad campaign and to um, promote the new single by Ms. Panettiere. Now I am not hating on anyone expressing their talent and/or gifts, but when did it become passe to just be good at one thing? But I digress. The ads feature Hayden rocking a metallic jacket, black jeans and high-heels with a side-lying microphone in hand with her lips apart as though singing, obviously that should have been my first clue as to what lay ahead. The ads and Candie’s logo were all over the site as well as montages of Ms. Panettiere’s face, and low and behold in the middle of that garish pink background was a large video screen window, all set for the reader/viewer to just hit play. On comes island-esque music (reminiscent of another blonde one-hit wonder), the oh-ooo-oh, maybe you need a wake-up call, and lovely images of Hayden, doing the one-handed microphone grasping warbling (more oh ooo oh...) that most starlets do these days. All in all, the song was not that bad, it had a catchy beat and refrain, and as for the outfits, the clothes were cool.

If Couture were to have been consulted on the video we would have made the following suggestions: Moschino metallic bubble hem mini dress with an accompanying D&G Dolce & Gabbana Flat Strap grey belt paired with Moschino Cheap and Chic black retro ankle boots for her strut into the club; John Varvatos for Converse bronze metallic leather bomber jacket (silver and washed gold are so overdone) left open, C’N’C Costume National five-pocket style black skinny jeans, Crystal Rock’s Rockabilly black tee with Giuseppe Zanotti handpainted booties for crooning on stage to the crowd; C’N’C Costume National grey racer back sleeveless elongated tank with iridescent palettes, Just Cavaili grey distressed jeans with Moschino red platform gathered tie-front pumps for the rolling around the floor number; for strutting a la Britney, Studio Gabriella Rocha black satin deep v-neck dress with draped sides worn with DSquared opulent lace, beaded and faux jeweled platform ankle-tie sandal (black wig optional).

Hey, they did not ask Couture, but I thought I should put the style tips out there any way.

Gentlemen, who doesn’t love an upstart that blazes an assured trail with bold designs and old world cobbler techniques? That is the exact reason to love Harrys of London, the 2001 new kid on the block that married radical vision, traditional techniques and luxury design for men to a new forefront with their signature Jet Slipper shoe — the decadent loafer with a soft leather sole fit for a prince or a
G5 flight.

The company is not only smart in its design philosophy and selection of luxury fabrics and skins, but in their management choices, as well. They hired a former design director at Ralph Lauren Footwear and Giorgio Armani, Kevin Martel, to build their burgeoning hybrid luxury brand into a full lifestyle collection. With the latest incarnation of the Jet Slipper, the re imagining of classic oxford styles, the new online store, a New York showroom and a store set to open in Mayfair, I would say he has been a success in shepherding the brand onward and upward.

As luck would have it, one of our very own savvy style stars and buyers, Scott J., was able to secure the brand for us here at Zappos.com, so no man need be without a pair. Our faves: the Jet Moc slipper, the Blake navy boat shoe and the cool yet sophisticated Charlie perforated spat design.

Franco Moschino, the charismatic, irreverent Italian designer and artist, responsible for such lines as Moschino Couture, Moschino Cheap and Chic and Moschino Jeans, started his now famous multi-brand fashion house in Milan in the early ‘80s after several successful years as an illustrator/sketcher for houses like Giorgio Armani and Genny. It was his love of art and pop culture that led the designer to imbue his own line with his whimsical nature (think his famous tees with a spoof of Chanel No. 5), creativity, love of all things Italian and his disdain for the established fashion culture. It was also this disdain and rebel spirit that got Franco into trouble many times with established houses, such as Chanel, for copyright battles. Regardless of these minor and not so minor inconveniences, with the help of his best friend, muse, sounding board and design collaborator, Rossella Jardini, he grew his business to include not only his main line, but the imaginative Cheap and Chic, Moschino Jeans and his successful fragrance lines, as well. His untimely death in 1994 saddened the fashion world by losing such a free spirit and rebel, but his company has thrived in spite of that with Ms. Jardini at the helm of the company, continuing Franco’s visions and spirit of the brand.

Here at Couture.Zappos.com, we are fortunate enough to have not only the Women’s and Men’s main shoe lines, but also the delightful Moschino Jeans line, the Cheap and Chic handbags and accessories. Couture’s favorites: Moschino’s Italian flag colored leather sneakers for men, the signature red platform strappy T-strap sandal for women, the Fresh Fruit Mix tee for men and the modernized pilgrim collar, candy-striped button-front shirt for women, Molte Bene!

Ladies, the shoe baton has been passed, Christian Louboutin is officially the current shoe God usurping the long standing Mr. Manolo. As reported by the New York-based Luxury Institute, Louboutin shoes are the most sought-after shoe brand of 2008. This is not news to the true fashionista because she already knows, covets and collects them without any shame or remorse at the $800-plus sticker price. But to others who feel that a brand must advertise (which Christian does not), must be mentioned in hot shows or movies (think Sex And The City, where he was not mentioned) or be on every ‘It’ starlet (rare) to be a hit, this must come as a huge surprise. What is it that draws so many to this brand? Could it be the draw of the red sole, which is distinguishable from any other shoe whether a woman is striding down a city block, sitting in a restaurant with her legs crossed or getting in and out of her Maybach? Is it the exquisite craftsmanship, the sky high heels or the many varied styles that could make you spend every paycheck on a pair? I’m not sure what it is for other individuals, but for me, my pulse quickens the moment I see the sole. For many that is both the draw and the deterrent, because what happens once the sole is worn out? Well, if you are like I am, you find the cobbler who will replace the sole with a red one, of course.