FOOTWEAR FOCUS ROAD TEST
Emma Cooke discovers true style in a simple black boot from Fly London, a timeless antidote to fickle trends.
J
oseph’s technicolour dreamcoat made a comeback this season. And, this time, it’s not just a coat, or even the musical for that
matter. It’s dresses, shirts, trousers, shoes, handbags and hair. Nothing is safe from the new madness sweeping the nation: colour blocking. It’s oh so easy to get caught up in it all, as the bright pops of colour provide stark relief from the monotonous grey of our miserable climate - really British weather, what lows (of temperature) will you not stoop to? No other country can add such dour meaning to the term, Fifty Shades of Grey. A friend from abroad who’s spent the past few months here - in increasing horror as she realised the snow just wasn’t going away - breathlessly informed me the press were saying this was the worst British winter in 17 years. You know you’re inundated when you breezily respond, ‘oh that’s nothing to worry about, they say that every year, it’s always the most terrible winter we’ve ever had. Wait until they report that no one’s wearing mini skirts in Newcastle. That’s when we panic.’ So, going out in tangerine and cobalt hues adds
a bit of fun to an otherwise dreary UK existence. But, in this cornucopia of colour, we’ve forgotten our most stalwart friend of them all, black. Black will be there long after the trends for two-tone lips and neon knee-highs are gone, still Aston Martin sexy, still Bond shaken-not-stirred smooth. Drape yourself head to toe in it to resemble
fashion’s “black crow” editors, the uber-chic Parisians or Queen Victoria circa the later years - that last one may be less desirable for those non-
history geeks out there. Use black to make your scarlets and hot pinks all the more bright (and to avoid looking like malibu barbie). Most importantly of all, invest in black, as it never goes out of style. Trends are the euros of fashion, timeless style the gold, and black is a solid ingot.
“I came over all Disney,
my feet were sighing, ‘we know you, we danced with you once upon a dream,’ the boots were replying with a stalwart,
‘you’ve got a friend in me,’ it was magical.”
So, in the midst of the current riot of peacock
shades, I was more than pleasantly surprised to open my latest package to road test for Footwear Today and discover - what! Soft leather, a small solid heel, and boots in a deep true black. Made by Fly London, a company recently awarded Fashion Footwear Brand of the Year at the Footwear Industry Awards, these boots – style name ‘Mel’ - reminded me of how a pair of classic boots, their only detail a discreet buckle on the side, can slice through all the pitter patter of what’s ‘so hot right now’.
Better still, while these boots are undoubtedly good looking, substance is definitely on a par with style. The leather is thick and high quality, the fit is perfect, and the first time I pulled these shoes on, I can only describe as being like finding a long lost friend. I came over all Disney, my feet were sighing, ‘we know you, we danced with you once upon a dream,’ the boots were replying with a stalwart, ‘you’ve got a friend in me,’ it was magical. The icing on the footwear cheesecake? Black is
the soul of versatility. Brown and camels are great for work, but don’t transition well to evening unless you’ve got at least a three inch heel on them. Bold colours may make a fashion statement when you’re out painting the town red, but be inappropriate for your 9-5. Black’s got your back no matter where you are. And, as Fly London’s boots are so comfy, there’s no need to ever take them off. No matter how much my mother begs. No, they don’t need to be cleaned mum, they’re perfect the way they are. The FLY London range grows as if with winged
heels each season, now dip-dyeing shoes in summer palette shades, experimenting with waxed canvas and printed towelling, and reaching new heights in the fashion stakes. But, there’s nothing will beat these simple pair of black boots, a timeless antidote to fickle trends.
Details: ‘Mel’ – cost £47.00 - £109.99 –
upper material rug leather & oil suede Contact
info@flylondon.com
22 • FOOTWEAR TODAY
• MAY 2013
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36