A visit to the new Steve Madden store at Palladium made us think of what Jon Stewart said to Freida Pinto on The Daily Show earlier this week - “you still have that new car smell.” Fragrant with fresh leather and incense, this store does too, but the carefully styled Ms Pinto wouldn’t be caught dead in any of the shoes sold here.
A Walk in the Louds
Internationally, the merchandise at Steve Madden has nosedived over the last few years, devolving into footwear that can charitably be described as hoochy-mama (think leopard prints and sequins). The Mumbai collection is no different, offering up nosebleed heels and dizzying platforms that are almost always sparkly, and not in a good way.
Take for instance five-plus inch platforms smothered in tiny black sequins (Rs 7,000), or those topped with a silver bow that would put Studio 54’s disco ball to shame. Also hard not to notice are glittery pumps; bruisingly purple peep toes (Rs 5,500); tacky, grommet-studded gladiators (Rs 4,000); Mary Janes with the stitches already fraying (Rs 3,000); and even a handbag embellished with multi-hued starburst designs.
The Right Footing
Step carefully, though, and you may find a few decent toe-holds: tan kitten heels (Rs 3,500), single-lace suede booties in black and beige (Rs 8,000), bow-fronted flats, an entire collection of nude shoes (start at Rs 5,000) and an enormous, surprisingly reasonably priced black leather bag (Rs 5,000).
The men’s footwear are tamer and more tasteful, an Aldo-meets-Benetton collection of shoes, sneakers and chappals. Look out for perforated sneakers with leather detailing and contrasting-stitch black suede sneakers (Rs 5,000 each).
Expense Accounting
For all their tackiness, shoes at Steve Madden don’t come cheap. We suggest that you save your money for a pretty dress from Chamomile across the hall or a plaid shirt from French Connection. Even Ms Pinto would approve then.
Getting there: Palladium Mall, High Street Phoenix, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Rs 8,000 for leather booties.
bpb Review: Steve Madden at the Palladium
A visit to the
new Steve Madden store at Palladium made us think of what Jon Stewart said to
Freida Pinto on The Daily Show earlier
this week - “you still have that new car smell.” Fragrant with fresh leather
and incense, this store does too, but the carefully styled Ms Pinto wouldn’t be
caught dead in any of the shoes sold here.
A Walk in the Louds
Internationally,
the merchandise at Steve Madden has nosedived over the last few years, devolving
into footwear that can charitably be described as hoochy-mama (think leopard
prints and sequins). The Mumbai collection is no different, offering up
nosebleed heels and dizzying platforms that are almost always sparkly, and not
in a good way.
Take for instance
five-plus inch platforms smothered in tiny black sequins (Rs 7,000), or those
topped with a silver bow that would put Studio 54’s disco ball to shame. Also
hard not to notice are glittery pumps; bruisingly purple peep toes (Rs 5,500);
tacky, grommet-studded gladiators (Rs 4,000); Mary Janes with the stitches
already fraying (Rs 3,000); and even a handbag embellished with multi-hued
starburst designs.
The Right Footing
Step carefully,
though, and you may find a few decent toe-holds: tan kitten heels (Rs 3,500),
single-lace suede booties in black and beige (Rs 8,000), bow-fronted flats, an
entire collection of nude shoes (start at Rs 5,000) and an enormous, surprisingly
reasonably priced black leather bag (Rs 5,000).
The men’s footwear
are tamer and more tasteful, an Aldo-meets-Benetton collection of shoes,
sneakers and chappals. Look out for perforated sneakers with leather detailing
and contrasting-stitch black suede sneakers (Rs 5,000 each).
Expense Accounting
For all their
tackiness, shoes at Steve Madden don’t come cheap. We suggest that you save
your money for a pretty dress from Chamomile across the hall or a plaid shirt
from French Connection. Even Ms Freida would approve then.
Getting there:
Palladium at High Street Phoenix, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Rs 8,000
for leather booties.
