First it was jeans, then a full blown clothing line, shoes would have to be right around the corner, right? Of course. It is either shoes or handbags when it comes to expanding your clothing line into accessories these days. For Rag & Bone, shoes were a natural fit for their hip line with a cult-like following from London to the West Coast. With a debut of no-fail women's styles of detailed ballerina flats, tailored loafers, and slipper-esque lace-up oxfords, how could they not succeed? The line, although very hip and chic, is not a cheap one. With a price point starting at $330 and topping out at $515, if you are like me - a newly formed recessionista - you have to think long and hard before buying anything. One ponders if it will it live up to the clothing line? Will they prove to have longevity, like other more established classics? The answer to both is yes. Marcus Wainwright and David Neville - co-owners and co-designers of Rag & Bone - are both New Yorkers now (formerly of London), and accustomed to walking most of the time, a motivating factor in the designs of the shoes. The label focused on classic silhouettes that would sell well regardless of the economic climate, and used all-natural materials and custom lasts to ensure that each shoe was both comfortable, flexible and beautiful. Although I am still closely analyzing every purchase I plan to make, these seem like the right splurge and perfect keep sake.
