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New York  – Under the name 'Shoes, A Lexicon of Style' the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology featured a shoe exhibit organized by Valerie Steele, cultural historian and the museum's chief curator, and Laird Borrelli, program coordinator. Although the exhibition presented styles from several centuries, it did show a significantly larger amount of recent designs than historic ones. This was something certain visitors felt was a shortcoming. All in all it was well worth the visit as it was an interesting look at the social significance of several popular shoe types: high heels, boots, sandals and sneakers.

Among the 150 styles exhibited were designs that ran the gamut from red Gucci stilettos to Birkenstocks, and classic Perrugias from the 20s to 1998 Prada shoes. Curiously, the only Spanish presence in the show was a pair of flat sandals - quite now looking - designed in the 80s by Sybilla.

Upon entering the exhibit, and on the right side wall, was the introduction to the main purpose behind the exhibition. We learned that the average North American woman has twelve pairs of shoes in her closet. Not counting the Imelda Marcos' of the world, women do tend to have a penchant for these accessories.

On the left side wall -adjacent to the entrance - the visitor found a few excerpts from 'Shoes: The Lexicon of Style', the book that accompanied the exhibit. In it you could read such interesting bits such as a quote from Mr. Manolo Blahnik, "When women ask me about high heels, I say, try a pair on. If you don't see the magic, stick to Reeboks." We also learned that research indicates that people tend to categorize all shoes as either 'feminine and sexy' or 'masculine.'

The exhibition, which opened last January, ran until April 17. If you want to purchase the book you can do so by clicking on its cover on the right.

Madrid –

José Víctor, what is for you the main objective of your recently formed Association of Spanish Fashion Creators?

The basic objective of the Association is to create a common image for Spanish fashion. We want to be heard as is the case with other designers in Paris, New York or Italy. Then each of us has their own personal goal: us, Victorio and Lucchino, for one, have the immediate challenge of showing in Paris.

What is the presence of Spanish fashion, and more specifically of V&L, in the world today?

As far as Spanish fashion goes - I will speak from our own point of view, Victorio & Lucchino's - we are in the best New York stores, in Paris we are very appreciated, we sell in Italy, as well as in Germany, the UK, Japan. We are doing well - you all know our story, which started in Cibeles to which we should be quite grateful.

You were one of the fashion houses that, belonging to the Association, did show within Cibeles this time. Will you be showing there next time?

This season we did show in Cibeles. Next one we still do not know.

Where do you sell in New York?

We are at Barneys, Bloomingdale’s...

Madrid - It Boutique has just opened here on the well-known and always elegant Ayala street. It's 500 sq. meters will feature the exquisite and young luxury prêt-á-porter brands: D&G by DOLCE & GABBANA, EXTE JEANS, EXTE ACHT, GIANFRANCO FERRE JEANS and VERSACE JEANS COUTURE.

The self-called mega store is a two-level minimalist environment in white, meant to be non-obstructive. Within it each of the mentioned brands has its own area. The store's furniture is done in satin finish stainless steel and extra-clear glass.

The inauguration cocktail gathered a large crowd of people which included local celebrities, models, journalists, photographers, the fashion crowd, and other beautiful people of the Madrid society.