Oyster flower sandal

As the big day draws near and speculation is rife as to which designer has been given the task of creating Kate Middleton’s wedding gown, here at Upper Street we think the media is missing a bit of a point.

What about the shoes? Any shoe-a-holic worth her Sex And The City box set knows that the shoes you choose for your big day are just as, if not more important! Whilst we’re looking forward to finding out the answer to one for the biggest fashion questions this century, we’d also love to sneak a peek under the hemline of that dress to find out what Kate favours in the footwear department.

With an air of homegrown beauty and her simple elegant taste, she clearly loves fashion and has an eye for both great designer and High Street pieces. We’re really looking forward to seeing how she performs in the style stakes over the coming years – all outfits will be seriously scrutinised from now on.

If Kate chooses a safer option for the gown, will she indulge in some statement shoes? Or will she keep it classically elegant from head to toe? Our imaginations have been running riot as to what the future queen of England will step out in on Monday 29 April.  If Kate had come to Upper Street for those all important unique and fabulous shoes, here are a few bridal style couplings that we’d love to see….

Satin d’Orsay flower

Vera Wang is the undisputed queen of beautiful bridal gowns and most girls would give anything to wear one of her creations. We love the warm tones in this particular design and think that these pearl satin D’Orsay courts with a delicate camel satin flower would make the perfect compliment for a statement wedding dress such as this.

Silver satin sparkle pointed court

It would be a dream come true to see Kate walk down the aisle looking like Audrey Hepburn in a gown such as this. The simple elegance of this look calls for chic footwear. Pointed courts in white satin and metallic silver are given added sparkle with a sprinkle of Swarovski Diamante on all three straps.

Satin snake gem platform sandal

Although the chance’s of it happening are minimal, many of us would love to see the future queen draped in Alexander McQueen on her wedding day. Seeing as this particular feathered frothy creation allows for full on, footwear focus then she should make the most of it in a pair of dove satin and silver snake platform sandals with a Swarovski jewel cluster.

If you’ve been struck down with Royal Wedding fever, leave a comment and tell us which designer you’re hoping Kate Middleton will be wearing on her big day and why.

Upper Street shoes come in a huge range of sizes from the petite 33 (UK 1.5) to the generous 43 (UK 10) with 4 width fittings. We also offer free alterations to fit and we’re so confident that you’ll love your final design that we’ll refund you if you don’t!

To book an appointment in our London Studio, email iloveshoes@upperstreet.com or call us on 0845 680 9365.

If you can’t make it the studio but still want to see our full range of luxurious materials, visit our Upper Street Swatch Store.Whether you’d like to experience the richness of our suedes, feel the silken quality of our sumptuous Italian satins or visualise our glossy patents as a shoe, you can order as many swatches as you want!

Upper Street - the made-to-order luxury shoe label where you can design your own individual shoes and have them delivered right to your door.

Image Credits: WeddingNet, YouAndYourWedding, Telegraph, ThingsUWant, Zimbio

Katie Holmes has come a long way since the days of playing fresh faced Joey Potter on Dawson’s Creek. Mother to possibly one of the most talked about Hollywood children Suri, and married to high profile actor Tom Cruise, Katie is certainly earning her style stripes of late.

Since her friendships with Victoria Beckham and Giorgio Armani have blossomed, the fashion world has sat up and taken notice of the woman who looks as at home gracing the pages of a glossy draped in couture, as she does going about her life as a busy working mum. If she gets a new haircut we need to know about it, if she’s spotted out and about, we want to know what she’s wearing.

With her recent portrayal of one the most well known and revered style icons, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and the launch of her own label, Holmes & Yang in conjunction with stylist and friend Jeanne Yang, Katie’s fashion star is definitely in the ascendant.

Her own effortless glamour never fails to please here at Upper Street and aiming to create an element of “luxury quality” in her new label, two words very dear to us, Katie makes our fashion hearts pitter-patter that little bit more.

Red suede counter back

Working city chic in navy with accents of red, Katie’s look here is beautifully effortless. Set your own style tone by opting for red suede platform peep toes with a navy counter back and heel for a simple but stand out design… and wear with everything.

Pink satin bow d’Orsay

Capturing the timeless elegance of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in the recent mini series, Katie is a vision in that iconic pink and black suit. Pay tribute to this first lady of style with a retro-chic inspired pair of pink satin d’Orsay courts finished with a contrasting black patent heel and bow. Ladylike glamour at it’s very best.

Snake platform sandal

Not only is Katie our kind of girl, she’s a jeans and heels girl. Wear this season’s uber 70′s trend must-have, the flared jean, with a pair of sexy snake strappy sandals. Add sunnies and a simple shirt and you’re chic personified.

If like Katie you can end up towering over your man when you add high heels into the mix, don’t forget that when you design your perfect Upper Street shoe, you can select the lower heel and platform option at the checkout.

Upper Street shoes come in a huge range of sizes from the petite 33 (UK 1.5) to the generous 43 (UK 10) with 4 width fittings. We also offer free alterations to fit and we’re so confident that you’ll love your final design that we’ll refund you if you don’t!

To book an appointment in our London Studio, email iloveshoes@upperstreet.com or call us on 0845 680 9365.

If you can’t make it the studio but still want to see our full range of luxurious materials, visit our Upper Street Swatch Store.Whether you’d like to experience the richness of our suedes, feel the silken quality of our sumptuous Italian satins or visualise our glossy patents as a shoe, you can order as many swatches as you want!

Upper Street - the made-to-order luxury shoe label where you can design your own individual shoes and have them delivered right to your door.

Image Credits: CoutureInTheCity, MailOnline, HotBrandClub, FadedYouth, Zap2It

Kate Babbington runs eco chic furniture business TREE in the vibrant city of Hong Kong; a city where Kate works hard – and plays hard! She came to Upper Street looking for a shoe that could take her from the office to the busy bars in town…..

How would you describe your personal style?
I have a strong awareness of what is on-trend but tend to gear toward comfort and practical (jeans!) particularly as I can be writing strategic plans one minute and traipsing through the warehouse another. I tend to invest in good handbags – my weakness!  Current favourite: Prada.  Once I find something – be that in shoes, bags, clothes – I tend to wear them to death.

What is your relationship with shoes?
Love/hate relationship with the purchasing of shoes…. love buying them in the UK.  Hate shoe shopping in Asia!  Being nearly 6ft with size 41/8 shoes it is not that easy to shop in Asia.  This is where Upper Street has been a God-send as they do sizes 1.5 -10 UK and I can choose my heel height.

Burgundy peep toe shoe

What was your design inspiration for your upper street shoes?

Being so tall I knew I wanted to go for a lower heel option, and a peep toe court is perfect for the Hong Kong climate. I really wanted to create something quite demure and ladylike, a little bit Mad Men really. Burgundy is a really versatile colour, and I just knew the shoes I designed myself at Upper Street would look just as cute during the day at the store as they would at the bar after work.

What did you think when you opened your parcel from Upper Street?
There is nothing like receiving a beautiful product in equally beautiful packaging which is exactly what I received from Upper Street. Sophisticated and chic. I was really happy with the end result as my shoes looked just like they did on the 3D design studio.  The packaging so stunning that the shoes will live there forever!

What did you friends have to say about your shoes?
Loved them but almost didn’t want to share my new secret! Is that wrong?

So will we be seeing you at Upper Street again soon?
Absolutely! Who wouldn’t want the option to create their own shoes?! Especially in Asia where it can be so hard to find larger shoe sizes and when you don’t have the time to hunt around – this is the perfect option for me. I can now have the shoes I always wanted, at a price I can afford and delivered right to my own home. Shopping at Upper Street is my new guilty pleasure!

Upper Street shoes come in a huge range of sizes from the petite 33 (UK 1.5) to the generous 43 (UK 10) with 4 width fittings. We also offer free alterations to fit and we’re so confident that you’ll love your final design that we’ll refund you if you don’t!

To book an appointment in our London Studio, email iloveshoes@upperstreet.com or call us on 0845 680 9365.

If you can’t make it the studio but still want to see our full range of luxurious materials, visit our Upper Street Swatch Store. Whether you’d like to experience the richness of our suedes, feel the silken quality of our sumptuous Italian satins or visualise our glossy patents as a shoe, you can order as many swatches as you want!

Upper Street - the made-to-order luxury shoe label where you can design your own individual shoes and have them delivered right to your door.

The well informed and well heeled descended on The Soho Hotel in London on Tuesday this week for the Upper Street AW11 press day. We thought we’d give you a behind the scenes look at the goings on including what every footwear obsessive will need in her collection for Autumn Winter 2011… and a sneak peek at the new ballet flat.

Wearing her very own SS11 design Upper Street shoe, co-founder and director, Julia Grinham was on hand to welcome journalists, style leaders and fashion bloggers alike, all keen to coo over the gorgeous shoes on display. Talk of what’s hot for next season left many of us already planning ahead for our winter shoe wardrobes.

Mixed metallics are definitely on the menu for winter – what better to see you through the party season than a shoe with plenty of shimmer? Customise with Swarovski crystal diamante straps or a gem cluster for added winter sparkle.

Simplicity with a twist was also key – pick a classic court with a platform or peep toe in the colour of your choice and add a contrasting colour for the counter back and heel in another material. Or opt for a show stopping bow for pure and simple retro elegance.

The lower heel options were particularly appealing for those of who were there on our feet all day – you can’t go to a press event without your heels! With an Upper Street design you can select the lower heel and platform options at the checkout and with the new kitten heel launching later this summer, there’s no more compromising in the shoe style stakes.

News of the September launch of the Upper Street ballet flat caused a stir with everyone who saw the gorgeous sample on display. Gleeful footwear fanatics will be able to design and customise their perfect ballet flat come the autumn – this shoe in blush satin with pewter studded toe cap and bow trim was picked up and purred over so many times!

To keep up with all the latest news, launches and events at Upper Street over the coming months, register here to receive our newsletter, join us on Facebook or follow in some very stylish footsteps on Twitter.

Upper Street shoes come in a huge range of sizes from the petite 33 (UK 1.5) to the generous 43 (UK 10) with 4 width fittings. We also offer free alterations to fit and we’re so confident that you’ll love your final design that we’ll refund you if you don’t!

To book an appointment in our London Studio, email iloveshoes@upperstreet.com or call us on 0845 680 9365.

If you can’t make it the studio but still want to see our full range of luxurious materials, visit our Upper Street Swatch Store.Whether you’d like to experience the richness of our suedes, feel the silken quality of our sumptuous Italian satins or visualise our glossy patents as a shoe, you can order as many swatches as you want!

Upper Street - the made-to-order luxury shoe label where you can design your own individual shoes and have them delivered right to your door.