New Year, New Blog?

Well no, not quite. But new me for sure! I haven't blogged in so long it feels so weird to be sitting here on my new couch in my new apartment... blogging. I miss you guys. I miss blogging.


Let's play catch up in case you're new here or it's been a while.


My life has changed in the following ways:
* I am now a 30 year old divorcee. Shitty.
* I moved out of my home (for obvious reasons) and am now renting an apartment a town over
* I lost about 10 lbs (yay) from stress and depression (boo) but am now getting into a happy place which means it's on it's way back on my body (BIG boo, but yay for being happy)
* I made my TV debut a few weeks back on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
* I am learning the joy of buying less expensive shoes. Less $ = more shoes! DUH!

My old shoe set up was pretty cool...

Packing my shoes wasn't as fun.

Ok, so.... Let's start fresh with a little about me.

Hi! I'm Celine Ouaknine. I grew up in Huntington Beach, California. I like to joke that I was born in high heels, and although that's obviously not true, I was born with the love of shoes in my blood.

My father (right), a former professional soccer player, came to the US from Morocco in the 70's. He started off as a shoe salesmen and had a natural talent for it. He worked his way up and eventually co-founded a company called French Follies. They made cute little espadrilles and ballet inspired shoes. From there he went on to Guess and Charles David footwear, where he eventually became President of the company and brought it to its height of popularity in the late 80's.

I was so lucky to grow up around shoes. I was the only girl in the 8th grade wearing the kick ass ankle boots Guess was famous for... and remember those Guess jellies?? Yep. I had those too. And at a whopping hundred bucks a pair, let's just say I made a lot of new friends when I came to school in those! That's the first time I felt the power of a hot shoe.

In the 90's, my dad left Charles David/Guess Footwear to pursue a new venture... Bebe Footwear! It was his first shoe license, and it was super successful. Soon after he started his own line with his namesake, Joey O. Since then his company has held the exclusive licenses for L.A.M.B. Footwear, Harajuku Lovers footwear, Charles Jourdan footwear, Laundry by Shelly Segal footwear, Antik Denim footwear, Playboy footwear, Zinc foowear, Hale Bob footwear, Badgley Mischka footwear, Mark and James by B.M. footwear, Betsey Johnson footwear, Betseyville footwear, Jill Stuart footwear, JLO Footwear, True Religion Footwear, Joe's Jeans Footwear, and Adrienne Maloof footwear. Awesome, right!? :) did I type "footwear" enough?

So... like I said, shoes are in my blood! I realized this at an early age, when I would go into my mom's closet and pull out her shoes and clear off my book shelves, fill them with shoes, and put a sign up that said "Shoe Show". I didn't really know what it meant, other than that was where my dad was always flying off to. Shoe shows. I wanted to be a part of it!
I went to design school in Milan, Italy when I was 20. My professors at Ars Sutoria taught me all about making shoes, including sketching, pattern making, leather tanning, and lots of technical shoe stuff. It was intense.

From shoe school to designer! After graduating from my shoe program I went back home and started working as the assistant to the designer of my dad's company, Titan Industries. At the time, we were only making bebe and Joey O Footwear, and were about to go after our second license, JLO Footwear. I was a part of that project and I loved it! It was so exciting putting what I had learned to use. I was off to China and working my butt off. I was the assistant to our head designer for a little over a year when I got offered the job of taking over as the designer for Playboy. It wasn't anything I had ever thought I would do, but it was a chance to be my own designer! No more assisting!!! I took it! Then, a few months after accepting the position as designer for Playboy, I was offered another line; Zinc footwear! I took it!!! I loved working with Zinc. The clothing was cute and the shoes were much more "my style". 

Later still, I was given the job as designer of JLO footwear.

I launched the debut collection (and every collection thereafter) for Harajuku Lovers in August 2008, and in May of 2009 I took over as designer of Betsey Johnson footwear until Steve Madden bought out 

the company in October of 2010.

Currently I'm designing for Bebe footwear, Adrienne Maloof Footwear, and just launched my own line, Cece L'amour, which I am very excited about.

I love my job! I get to work with shoes every day. It's my job to look at shoes in magazines, online, in stores, and on the streets. It's a dream job honestly, and I feel lucky every day. My obsession is my job... So cool!

Betsey Johnson and I backstage before her runway show <3

Gwen Stefani and I after a L.A.M.B. runway show <3

Mark Badgley, James Mischka and I at a Nordstom personal appearance. Two of the NICEST guys you'll ever meet <3

So thats me, more or less.

My new shoe set up? Well OK since you asked... Here's a sneak peak but I'll be doing a full post on my new apartment soon.

:)

So stay tuned. 2012 is going to be a good year... Thank you all for your continued kind words and support. It really means so much.

LOVE and kisses,

I'm a Little Slow...

I've never claimed to be the sharpest knife in the drawer but I've never really felt so stupid. It took me 2 months to "get" Tumblr. I don't know what it was that wasn't clicking, or if I just wasn't really trying, but I finally got it.

Since I'm pretty consumed with getting this new line off the ground I'll be posting to Tumbler in between blog posts. Just photos of the shoes I'm wearing and maybe shoes I'm seeing out and about. Quick little shots of, well, my life in heels... ;)

I hope you enjoy it- I think it will be fun and an easy way to share some fun fabulous (and maybe even not so fabulous) shoes! I share a lot of these on Twitter but I realize that a lot of you aren't Twitterers. I get it.
Please check it out and follow me if you'd like. My Tumblr 

(L.A.M.B. shoe straight off the runway)

(Louboutin)

(gianmarco lorenzi)

(L.A.M.B. shoe in the showroom in NY)

(DSquared2 "rain boot")

A Shoe Story

I read this story the other day on a fellow fabulous blogger's site, RedHeadFashionista. 

She entered it into Elle for their annual talent contest to find a fabulous new writer, and though she didn't win, I thought it was great and asked her if I could share it with my readers. I love a good shoe story and figured you would too...

ELLE Talent Competition - 'Do you really need another pair of shoes?'

I feel like I'm sitting in front of a firing squad. I guess it sort of is a matter of life and death. The life being able to provide myself with food and coffee for a good while longer than I would otherwise, versus the death of a) my credit rating, b) my sensible diet as I resort to a can of soup a day and drink excessive amounts of water to try and suppress my appetite, and c) my soles.

So I guess by saving my money, I'm also saving my sole. Saving me having to worry about when I next get to eat, whether I can afford my rent, or whether I can pay my next phone bill. Things that most normal human beings need to do to get by.

Except, I'm a twentysomething woman with a fashion conscience. I have other needs, like all people. I need chocolate. I need a gin and tonic and some trashy tv at the end of the day. I need to have my personal space on the tube.

And I needed that last pair of Freja stiletto boots.

There they were, sitting among the other neglected, end-of-line pairs of size 7s in the Selfridges sale (this was pre-new Shoe Hall, I think I'd have to surrender my purse before entering if I went in now). Next to the Balmain military ankle boot that every fashionista worth her salt owned, was a quiet, unassuming black stiletto boot that set my heart aflutter.

Alexander Wang was speaking to me. I was communing with a higher being, yet it was a terrible sin. I felt lust for the beautiful boot. Jealousy of all the women who would have bought them without a second thought. And greed, the overwhelming greed that a woman experiences when nothing else matters but fashion.

I had to have those shoes.

I sat down in the middle of the shoe hall, was attended to by a sweet middle-aged salesman who could tell he was on to a winner. The fashion-hungry graduate who owns one much-loved designer bag which she carries like a trophy, looking to move to the big leagues with her first pair of designer shoes, met by the eager, sweet, earnest salesman who could sense a sale and who was subtly, masterfully going for the jugular. We were two clichés, united over the ultimate cliché – the half-price shoe.

He left me alone for a while with my new solemates. I tried them on. True to my mother's training (though she would have been scandalised if she was where I was) I walked at least two laps around the shoe hall, stalking in the predatory way rich socialites and French fashion editors do, brushing my hair (what hair I have) out of my eyes and looking coyly down. In my mind's eye I was six feet tall, slim and athletic. I rubbed shoulders with Carine Roitfeld and Kate Lanphear. I had made it. I looked in the mirror and felt myself transformed. I was up there with the big players.

In the few short seconds it took me to decide, my brain busily tried to solve a puzzle that most computers would take days with.

Figures and numbers ran through my head. Bank statements. Whether I could sneak the bag past my parents. Whether I could afford a pedicure for my massively neglected feet. How many outfits would be transformed by these shoes. Whether my legs were good enough to carry off a statement shoe. If I was too fat at that angle in the mirror. Whether a (then)cafe worker with no fashion parties to go to really could justify a pair of Alexander Wang boots. It had gone from 'could I afford the shoes' to 'existential crisis' in a few slightly tottering steps.

I stood and stared at the mirror, the image of beautiful, successful fashion personality fading and leaving the image of terrified, prospect-less graduate teetering awkwardly in someone else's shoes in its place. I stared myself in the face. There, in the middle of the Selfridges shoe hall, a pair of beautiful boots stopped me in my tracks.

I sat back down in my little chair, signalling for the salesman to give me more time to think. Staring at the beautiful boots that were within my grasp, yet still so far from my reach, I wondered how much longer it would be before I could look down at a pair of beautiful, expensive shoes and not feel my stomach rush with guilt and fear. I sat there, surrounded by the rich tourists and well-heeled executives and knew I didn't belong there.

But as I sadly unlaced the boots, I wondered if, perhaps, they were the first step along the way. A little reminder to myself that this is what I wanted. I wanted to be the type of woman who could own a pair of a designer boots, and everything that came with them. The station, the fame, the career, the security, the life. They would give me the mindset to put me well on my way to where I wanted to be.

And five minutes later, as I walked out of Selfridges holding the distinctive yellow carrier with my beautiful new status symbol, oracle, incentive in it, I felt just a little bit more optimistic about my prospects. Unconsciously, I walked taller. I stood straighter. I thought I could see Kate Lanphear in the distance, and even in my comfortable flats, my new Wangs urged me to stride to keep up with my own dreams.

And the boots? I still haven't worn them out of the house. But I like to take them out, put them on and look at myself in the mirror, once in a while, to see the person I might one day become. 

Off to China... AGAIN

Is it just me or does it seem like I am always traveling?? Ugh, and China. Why does China hate Blogger so much?

For those of you who don't know, China blocks me from accessing my blog so I've set up some oldies but goodies for you to re read or for some of you to read for the first time. They'll post over the next week.
Please make sure you leave your comments on this post with ANY questions you have about my China trips or about the design process. I got some really good ones last time and I love sharing my behind the scenes secrets with you guys :)

(view from my hotel in China)

 Ok! I'm off. I'll be back in a week with lots of new experiences and a new project! I'm excited to let you guys know which line I'm designing right now. 

xox

-Celine ♥

TheShoeGirl

Thank You!

I just wanted to show you guys this awesome sketch that reader and fellow blogger Rachel made of me for her blog, VisualBasic
It's really cute and I like how she made my legs longer and skinnier ;)

Cool huh?? Here's the original photo and post...

Benjamin wanted a go at it too. He's so cute :)

Thank you Rachel! This was really cool of you :)

Just For Shizz and Giggles

Mondays suck so hopefully this will brighten your day. :)

What do you do when a fellow blogger posts photos like these and asks for her readers to submit their version?? 

Well, this is what I did...

You like the Nomadic Baglady Look?? Hahaha!!

Other readers also dressed the part. They look pretty amazing and are killing these looks.

Marie-

I love her pillow and the teapot around her belt just puts me over the pee in my pants edge.

Kate B-

Is that Thumper I see in your bag??

Rebecca-

A sophisticated version of the look. ;)

Aja-

I like that she and I had the same idea to hold plants in our hands.

Rosie-

She is SERIOUSLY rocking this look!!

Now if any of you are brave enough I'd LOVE to see your looks. Don't be shy, this was so much fun to put together and it's nice to make fun of yourself sometimes.

Thank you Sister Wolf for making me laugh and for reminding us that we bloggers can't take this crap too seriously. 

Oh Kirkwood...

First, he shows us these for Spring...

I love these. Everything about these. (a mere $2153.70 HERE)

And then there are these for Fall.

(jak and jil blog)

In the words of Rachel Zoe... I die.

I'm dead.

I died.

I love these a lot. A LOT.

I love Kirkwood a lot. A really lot lot.

I love how these heels look like carved soap or ivory. Well, not so much ivory cause that would be pretty terrible. Not clubbing baby seals terrible but... you know. I like elephants a lot. All animals really. Well, not sharks but I don't want to KILL them either. Unless they kill people then go ahead.

Deep blogging I know, but this is what I have for you.

I've been really sick and on top of that I haven't been feeling very inspired. I also feel like I'm talking to myself for some reason. Like nobody's out there.

Ever feel like that??

Hmph.

I love you Kirkwood. Keep up the good work :)

Held Captive!

Ok, so I'm alive and no, I haven't really been kidnapped. I just got back from China where, as you know, they block my blog so I can't post.

Now it's 2am and I should be sleeping and I'm trying to type quietly despite these dang Japanese nail art nails (click clack click clack!!!) so as not to wake Ben up. He does look angelic when he's sleeping... ♥

Anyway- just wanted to tell you all that I'm alive and well, and I'm sorry for my lack of posts. I'll be back with a new post soon, right after I spend some much needed cuddle time with my hubby and puppies.

Hope you all are having a great start to 2010!!

xoxox

Time to Go Again...

(my office in China)

Well friends, it's that time again. I'm off to China tomorrow for a LONG two weeks. :(

You all know that Blogger is blocked in China so I won't be able to post, so I've decided to schedule re-posts of some of my old favorites that you may not have seen. If anything exciting happens while I'm there I'll see if I can email Ben a post and have him put it up for me. I'm sure I will because I'm going to Shanghai for the first time and meeting up with my friend and Louboutin boutique manager Amita Singh and her hubby!! YAY! I feel a shopping post coming!

I hate to go and even more, I hate not posting for 2 whole weeks (!!!) but please don't forget about me. ;)

See you all soon! And I'll still be able to Tweet so don't forget to follow me.

xoxo

Off to China...

It's time to go to China again... :(

Hopefully they've gotten over their whole blocking Blogger thing. If not, I'll try to figure something out. Maybe I'll send posts through email to my hubbs or my sister and have them copy/paste. Unless any of you have any tips? :) That would be great...

I can't go a whole week without posting!!

Talk to you all soon!

xox

Home Again!

I had to make a VERY last minute trip to China and just got back last night! As you know, China has blogger blocked, so I was unable to sign in, so thanks for being patient! :)

Ahhhhh it's good to be home and out of the heat and humidity of China! I got all my work done and I'm really glad to be outta there, especially since it hadn't even been a month since my last trip!

Last night Ben and I went to see Brüno and I left with my cheeks hurting and my stomach feeling not so good. Cheeks hurting from laughing so hard and stomach turning from all the full frontal male shit and inappropriate humor. I hoped that he would have more jokes to play on the fashion world, but was bummed to see that there were only a few. I loved how Borat poked fun at middle America and wish that Bruno did the same to knock some high and mighty fashionistas down a peg or two.

Ben's favorite moment was the anatomically correct pink knit outfit he wore... just see the movie and you'll know what I mean.

Anyway- I meant to blog about this before but was RUDELY interrupted by my job sending me away, and now I'm too late- but here it is anyway. Kitson had a whole window for Harajuku Lovers including (YAY) the footwear, which they do not carry. Weird, yes. But hey, it completed the look of the window display and got people asking about the shoes. :)

The mannequins were dressed as Love, Angel, Music, Baby, and of course, G. They are dressed in head to toe Harajuku Lovers and I think they look adorable. Good job to my dear friend Jolie for putting it all together! Yippee!

It's good to be home and back to blogging!

xox

Rock the Vote!

No, I'm not late on the presidential elections... I'm talking about something much more important to the state of our nation! The Best Fashion Blog Award!!

No, I'm not on the ballot (yet- muahaha!) but Go HERE and vote for my friend Wendy Brandes please. (by friend I mean we hang out on the weekends and go shopping and stay on the phone gossiping late at night... in my head)

HAHA! But seriously- check out her blog and you'll see. She's got my brand of sass kids, and I love it. 

Readers, Meet Jessie. Jessie, Meet Readers...

So I asked my (literally) life long friend Jessica Palermo to contribute to my blog from time to time. She's my partner in design for Hale Bob and she also does Badgley Mischka footwear on her own. Our dad's are business partners and best friends. Jess and I have VERY different style, which I think is the most exciting part about us designing together. 

Anyway- she's going to post soon and I just wanted to give her a little intro. ;)

She's way more fashion savvy than I am and was featured on The Sartorialist blog a few months ago. She'll hate me for telling you that but I'm not making her a blog administrator so she can't do anything about it! BWA-HA-HA!

Stop the Mother Fucking Presses...

Sorry to be vulgar with the F word and all (I always think of my husband's born again Christian family stopping by my blog on the days I write profane words and almost delete them from the guilt I feel... ALMOST. Sorry Sotos! I love you though!)  

**** Ok, so now I deleted the post even though I said I wouldn't,  because I didn't see that she said not to write about her. (yes, I know "S" wrote a comment telling me that she did, but I thought maybe she mentioned not liking it or something- not that she specifically said not to do it)

Those of you who saw it- I hope you enjoyed it. If you have no idea what I'm talking about- Don't worry about it.

K thanks.

Today I'm Wearing...

So I'm sure it's painfully obvious that I am neglecting my blog because frankly, I'm grossly overworked. So I've decided a quick fun and easy thing to do is to at LEAST post what shoes I'm wearing each day. Sound good? haha

I'll be taking the pics myself with my trusty MacBook so sorry if they aren't the best pictures. You'll get the idea though.

So, here it goes. Today I'm wearing....

 

Hidden Christian Louboutin burgundy patent mary janes.