With the end of August coming to a close, my favorite season is just around the corner…fall.  We’ve scoured the runways, and selected some of our favorite looks for  fall’s hottest shoe trends.  Using Open Runway’s innovative design studio, I created a collection my favorite must-have’s for the upcoming fall!

Suede

This perfect transition shoe is appropriate for those still hot summer days, but will carry over into the fall, flawlessly. Suede is all the rage, and will continue to be well into the next season. Metallic gold print on this jet black ultramatte suede gives this shoe some sparkle!

Reptile

Reptile was seen all over the runway for the fall and winter seasons. This classic snakeskin is sure to set mouth's watering. I particularly love the covered wedge (another trend that will be sticking around) for an exotic chic look that won't go overlooked!

Patent

Since few women can resist the allure of patent, we were not surprised to see it everywhere on the fall fashion runway. This bronze and burgundy patent platform sandal is one of my favorites. Finished off with a half bow in fabulous copper metallic snake, with rhinestones adorned-this pair is sure to be a head turner at your next big-night-out!

 Embellishments

Bows will be HUGE for the fall season. I love the sophisticated look of this flat- from the luxurious camel croc to the golden saffron piping, finished off perfectly with a navy blue bow embellishment. This creation not only combines style trends for fall, but the versatile color palette as well!

Just because summer is almost over, does't mean that we can't still have fun with flowers! I love the breezy, fun natured feeling that this pump emanates. Worn with tights and a skirt or skinny jeans, you will leave everyone wondering where they can get a pair for their very own!

Stiletto Heel

This come-hither heel, has a mysterious power that instantly adds boldness to any women's disposition! I am obsessed with this peep-toe platform pump in navy blue croc. A mary-jane strap with locket adds fabulous flair. I need these, like yesterday...

I hope you have fallen in love with next season’s fall fashions just like we have at Open Runway.  Which fall fashion creation is your favorite?  Don’t have a favorite yet? Then create you perfect shoe in our design studio at openrunway.com, and share it with us. Let us know in comments!

After being at Open Runway for a week, I’ve learned a lot of new terminology revolving around shoes. So today I am going to share with you some of what I’ve learned (complete with visuals) because seriously, shoes are complicated.

Firstly a shoe is made on a last, which is like a fake wooden or plastic foot. The last changes depending on the heel height, the toe shape and the size of the shoe, so a 4 inch heel height on a size 7 shoe will be made on a different last than a 3.5 inch heel height, size 9 shoe. Basically to make a full range of shoes you need a lot of lasts!

Plastic Shoe Lasts

Image Courtesy of GCBooster

There are many parts of a shoe, you probably already know about the heel and the insole, but did you know the front of a shoe is called a vamp and the back is called the counter! In this example the shoe is peep toed but if it were a closed toed pump the front would be called a toe box.

I wasn’t kidding when I said shoes were complicated! Thankfully knowing all these terms is not necessary to create a pair of shoes using our design studio. I have spent a lot of time designing shoes and handbags on the site and it is so fun; I can’t wait until all of you get to experience the joy that is openrunway.com! Get excited for our site launch at the end of the month!

Open Runway Love,

Andrea

On Friday, August 6, 24 companies banded together on Facebook to become one voice that yelled in unison “You Can Design Your Own!” The mass customization movement is making people rethink the way they purchase. Whether it’s designing your own engagement ring or designing your own hamburger (thanks Burger King). YOU have spoken and YOU want it YOUR way.

Carmen Magar founder of Chocri, a site that lets you design your own chocolate bars (yum!), organized the campaign. Open Runway was just one of 24 companies that purchased and ran a DYO themed Facebook ad for the campaign with the goal being to reach 8 million impressions and  spread awareness of the Co-Creation and Design Your Own trend. The movement gained traction after various news outlets picked the story up.

The result was better than anyone could have imagined, in total the campaign generated over 14 million impressions. With just $50, our ad itself garnered hundreds of thousands of impressions, lots of clicks and many new sign-ups for our private beta. All in all we were thrilled with the outcome.

Here is the complete list of companies that participated in the campaign:

Open Runway – DYO Women’s fashion shoes

Blank Label – DYO Men’s Dress Shirts

Chocri – DYO Chocolate Bars

Spreadshirt – DYO T-Shirts

LaudiVidni – DYO Handbags

Gemvara – DYO Jewelry

Shoes of Prey – DYO Shoes

Wagner Skis – DYO Skis

Gemkitty – DYO Jewelry

Snaptotes – DYO Bags

Element Bars – DYO Energy Bars

YouBars – DYO Protein, Energy, and Nutrition Bars

Red Moon Pet Food – DYO Pet Food

Rooms By You – DYO Home Decor

Lindgolf – DYO Golf Clubs

Artaic – DYO Illuminated Mosaic

Melboteri – DYO Bags

IndiDenim – DYO Jeans

Kidlandia – DYO Kids Gifts

Maguba – DYO Clogs

Personalwine – DYO Wine

Proper Cloth – DYO Dress Shirts

Design A Tea – DYO Tea

Selve – DYO Shoes

Recently  the Open Runway team went on the road for our first formal fit testing for our upcoming collection of DYO (design your own) shoes. The 200 women over at Communispace,  a community-driven marketing agency in Watertown, MA,  invited us to commandeer their cafeteria for the day and set up shop.

The event (aka The Great Shoe Try-On), took place to make sure that the shoes fit to true-to-size. Although we will be offering a full guarantee on all orders, we want to do everything possible to make sure customers are wowed in every way when they open the box of shoes that they created and that includes making sure the fit is right.

The response was outstanding; we couldn’t even unload the sample shoes before the ladies were all over them.  Like sharks with blood in the water these women were ready to attack when they saw the hot new Open Runway styles!  In fact, they spent so much time trying on shoes that productivity at Communispace actually dipped (sorry Commispace!).

Ladies of all shapes and sizes were in a shoe trying frenzy. Even the ones who didn’t have the right shoe size were trying to squeeze into the heels. We had lots of varieties to choose from including stilettos and wedges with leopard print, fishskin – all design options that shoppers can choose when designing their shoes using Open Runway’s online design studio. Our lime green wedges were definitely a crowd favorite “I’m a sucker for a nice pair of wedges, and these are so comfortable” said Charlotte Birkner, a Communispace team member.

While we were there to test the fit of the shoes, we also wanted to get some feedback on the Open Runway concept. Charlotte said “The ability to design your own shoes is great for someone like me. I have trouble finding cute shoes in my size, so the idea of being able to design your own sounds fantastic. It’s also perfect for those times when you have the perfect dress but can’t find the perfect pair of shoes to match.”

The event at Communispace reinforced that women love to express their personal sense of style. “I express myself through fashion. What I have on and how I present myself is very important to me,” said Lindsay Hutton, another Communispace team member. “That is why I really like the fact that I’ll be able to design my own shoes.”

The feedback we received was great, so thanks again to all you ladies at Communispace for taking time out of your day. Open Runway is going to be doing some more demos and focus groups. Interested in participating? Send us an email!

A guest blog post by Personal Wardrobe Stylist, Mahjuba

Revamp your black pump to a Platform pump

Fall 2010 brings us a luxe color palette on Footwear. Many designers are using muted colors of black, gray, dark blue, light purple and beige.  Exquisite trimmings on Footwear are the highlights of this season. We are seeing details such as lace up, feathers, fur trim, leopard and zebra prints.

There are 3 particular trends that I am insanely mad about.  These trends can instantly update your wardrobe essentials and help you stand out.  The first being a Flat over the knee boot. This is a great look for walking around town shopping on a casual day.  For a more fashion forward look, choose a high boot with fur trim. Last but not least, revamp your black pump to a Platform pump.

Some of the other styles seen on the runway for fall are extreme height, corrugated soles, booties, and leather and metal finishing’s.

Zebra prints are hot on the runway

Soon you will be able to design your own shoe on Open Runway. Go for trims and textures that represent your style. Choose a style that will bring your wardrobe to the next level. The best part of designing your own shoe is the individuality and thought you have put into your design. When building a shoe wardrobe I start with the classics. I then will add pieces that are right on trend and current. Building a shoe wardrobe is essential and takes time. At times choosing a fabulous stand out shoe is just as fun as choosing a fabulous piece of jewelry. It goes hand and hand.

Make the most of designing your own shoe and most of all have fun doing it.

Learn more about Personal Wardrobe and Fashion Stylist Mahjuba

We’ve let department stores and apparel companies dictate what was fashionable for too long. Now its time for you fashionistas to decide for yourself what’s in style. At Open Runway we’re all about democratizing fashion by empowering shoppers to co-create their own style and giving designers a community to showcase and sell their designs.

Open Runway is a fashion 2.0 retailer changing the way women shop via a social commerce experience. Open Runway connects shoppers to emerging designers through crowdsourced design contests, and empowers shoppers to customize and purchase their own made-to-order fashion using our interactive design studio. We’re starting with shoes but we’re not stopping there. Soon you’ll be able to co-create all sorts of fashion items including handbags, apparel and more.

Designers – are you looking to get your designs in front of shoppers? Submit a design to one of our ongoing design contests and promote yourself by sharing your creations on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, everywhere! Get your friends to vote for your design on OpenRunway.com.   If your design is chosen by the Open Runway community and team, we’ll put it into production, co-brand it with your name, and sell it around the world.You’ll be awarded a cash prize and have your profile featured on OpenRunway.com.

Fashionistas – Didn’t go to fashion school? Can’t sketch? Not to worry! Not only will you be able to discover up and coming designers and vote on your favorite designs by participating in our design contests, but you too can have the opportunity to “play designer” by using our interactive design studio to design your own dream shoes and express your personal style. Choose from a wide assortment of styles and then make them your own by choosing your material, heel, trim and more. We’ll make your shoes to order and deliver them to your doorstep in just a few weeks. While you wait for your dream shoes to arrive, you can share your creations with Open Runway’s community of fashionistas and critique and comment on each others designs. Our idea is to build a vast vibrant community where shoppers and designers can interact with one another and define the brand.

We have a lot of exciting things in store for all you designers and fashionistas out there. Open Runway is getting ready to launch real soon so check back or join our newsletter at www.openrunway.com to stay up to date.