THE ITALIAN JOB

Roberto Fabiani

Traditionally clad bride in Gele, Iborun and Italian bag

We (Nigerians) are a nation obsessed with Italian shoes. Every wedding, engagement, birthday, funeral, christening was never complete without seeing one in matching Italian bag and shoes, to match (or deliberately not match) your gele (headtie) and Iborun (wrap). We spend so much money on these colourful creations sometimes at the expense of being able to eat! A good Italian shoe and bag will cost you at the very least, the equivalent of 150 dollars. This in a country where statistics state the average person lives on two to five dollars a day! Once I started attending my friends weddings in my early twenties, I had to stop relying on my mama's Italian shoes and buy some of my own. I do sometimes have a niggling suspicion that Italians don't know what we mean when we say 'Italian shoes'. My adult shoe obsession - trying to distinguish between real Italian shoes and locally made knock-offs!

African textiles taking over the world!

Saw these two weeks ago at a store on Henry Street in Dublin, Ireland. For about 60 euros! I was amazed at how many different prints were available and the fact that using these prints as some kind of chic head ties were also being promoted. Sad thing is if someone in Lagos opened a shop selling shoes with these kind of prints, people probably wouldn't buy into it too much. We like our Italian shoes afterall. That said, I wanted one but refused to get it because I was pretty sure no African was benefiting from this trade. I'd gladly get these Ankara inspired shoes if only our aba n'aba boys would make them! Let's support made in Nigeria goods ;-)

CONVERSE-ATIONS



Converse grafitti 50 euros

I’m a late convert to the Converse label and its tennis shoes, even though I always liked them on others.  I never thought I was the sort of person to wear them as i normally think of tennis shoes as ugly heavy things. 

That was until I saw these pair at Schuh. The colours spoke to me and when I discovered how comfortable and light they were to wear, I’d never whipped out my laser card so fast! I already have my eye on my next pair- A flag inspired, star spangled banner (or is it the Union Jack?) design had my heart skipping a beat and I’m trying to remind myself that I’m not even a Converse girl!







CLOGGING IT!

Chanel black leather clogs $500

I remember my first pair of clogs. It was the nineties and they were in vogue. Like any budding fashion enthusiast, I begged my mom to get me a pair. We got them from Tejuosho, Yaba, a Lagos city market famous for designer/high street finds and knockoffs.

When I got them, I wanted to wear them every day. They were black, about 3.5 inches high of wooden heels, the now very necessary bras studs around it and it fitted like a glove. I rocked those clogs till I went off to college and eventually they went out of style (plus they were too hot for Texas weather) but I definitely got a few years mileage out them.

Now clogs are back and I can’t wait to find THE perfect pair. I can’t decide on which colour because I’m trying to get away from black but that’s the least of my worries. I cannot seem to find one in the correct size and shoe width. Hopefully the stores that cater to wider feet will see fit to stock some truly beautiful ones and not the ugly skanky looking ones I’m seeing on the various websites.  I love these ones from Swedish hasbeens, especially because they’re more practical but still good looking, and will look for a similar pair in Ireland.

For those of you without this problem, most High Street stores like New Look stock some cool and affordable ones like these. You may also prefer the clog boot(ies). Ultra chic and sumptuous, you can be forgiven for never taking them off and they go with EVERYTHING. The chunkier and higher the heels in this case, the better!

I LIKE IT CHUNKY

 

Topshop platform loafers £70

Thank God the chunky heeled platform shoes are making a comeback and there are some gorgeous ones out there. The Irish have long been obsessed with the 6 inch stilettos which I’m afraid to say, can only be worn by the skinny model like types who only drink soup and eat grapes. For the rest of us, shoe shopping has become pleasurable again. Never again will we stare at that simply beautifully designed shoe and sigh in frustration over the 6 inch stiletto it comes with. Check out Topshop’s seriously addictive platforms or New Look for some more practical ones. Viva la platforms, may you stay for a long time! Let’s keep it chunky.

KUNG FU ;)

 

The Kung fu shoes were made popular in the late eighties and early nighties in Nigeria with the popularity of Chinese movies especially with the most famous of all actors, Bruce Lee. The simplicity, flexibility and lightness appealed to young teenagers and the fact that it could be easily and cheaply replicated by local shoemakers because it was made of fabric was a financial bonus. Pretty soon you were seeing your mates wearing ‘Bruce Lee’ shoes made with old denim (from castoffs), in Ankara and Kente. It was cool, it was hip and everyone had to have one. My second teenage shoe obsession. Check here for some Ankara fashion inspiration.

Bata mi (My shoes)

This is still under construction. Come back y'all! ;-)