Isabel Toledo for Payless
Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 5:24 PM 
Image courtesy of Payless
Admirers of Isabel Toledo will have a unique opportunity to purchase her inventive, feminine designs through an upcoming collaboration with the affordable shoe retailer Payless. Isabel Toledo for Payless launches September 7, with a range of shoes and bags priced from $35 to $60. The collection will be available in stores and on Payless.com, with a limited selection of shoes already available here. What sparked the collaboration?
"The main inspiration for my first Payless collection was to create a line of shoes that I could wear on a daily basis and that would make a bold fashion statement, but also be very functional too," Ms. Toledo said in a press release. "I am a New Yorker and I walk all over the city .... These shoes have a strong graphical tone, are fresh new essentials for every woman's fall closet, and are an affordable way to make a strong statement from the ground up."
Might we see Isabel Toledo for Payless in Mrs. O's fall line-up?
Reader Comments (23)
Affordable style for the masses and a peek into the exclusive world of a high-end designer. Go Payless!
I think it's great that Isabel Toledo has brought her fashion sense to the masses and women of alll walks in life can enjoy them. I predict that these shoes will fly off the shelves especially during the holiday season. As for me, thanks but no thanks to the platforms. I wore them when they came back in style during the 70's. This time I'll pass, but for those who can and will wear them, I SALUTE YOU!
@ CID re: regurgitating the style of the 70’s – I'm with you on this one. I got rid of all of mine from the 70’s except a favored pair in purple. I wore them once more in the 80’s (to a Purple Rain party), and they are still up in my closet….where they should best remain. If I were bold enough to try to climb back up onto their lovely stacked heels now, the only useful purpose they would serve would be as evidence in my injury lawsuit. I think the lovely Metallic Ghillie Flat is more in my comfort zone and definitely more apropos to all the city walking I now do. I’ll definitely have to check that pair out.
I am always a bit skeptical when designers try to reach the "masses" I mean the quality is never as good or even close to as good as the real lines. What kind of lesson are we trying to teach people?
I would rather do what Mrs O does. She will buy a cardigan from J Crew. It is what it is and not a cheapened knock off of a higher price line. Shelly
This is fantastic! The Lela Rose line was great. The pair I have looks very high end. Will check online since my local store probalby won't get these. Thanks for sharing, Mrs. T!
I like the silver ones but I'm going to hold until I can try them on in a store. I ordered a cute pair of poka dot shoes from Payless a couple of seasons ago and they were cute but almost unworn as they were stiff and uncomfortable.
The flats are cute. The platform shoes are improperly designed - notice that the front of the shoe turns up and the platform is not square with the floor.
Platforms are risky business - higher heels and the platform itself place the wearer high above the ground. Be careful when you buy them. A sprained ankle or worse is not worth the tradeoff for a cheap pair of shoes.
The shoe with the red bow would have been prettier and more graceful looking without the platform, which looks tacked on.
I just noticed that Payless has added 3 more style since yesterday. Personally I like the Pom Pom flats and Toreador Pumps best, but agree with GingerB on waiting to try them on in store to assess qualty and comfort. BeeGee, I see your point about the platform on the Toreador, but wonder if it will be noticable when worn on the foot? The plus side is that the platform will make the heel height more comfortable.
BeeGee, I've wanted to ask for a long time -- what is your background in fashion? You always speak with such authority on fabric, construction, etc. Just curious and would love to know a bit more about you!
Thanks Mrs. T. I love the pom pom flats!! I endorse the wait and see point to assess quality and comfort of the Toreador pumps. Not loving the other shoes.
Mrs. T: Will keep it brief. A lifelong interest in fashion, an early start (with a work permit) at 14 in a department store (Nordstrom level), college major in merchandising (which included textiles, non-textiles like leather and fur, clothing design and marketing/retailing as well), positions of responsibility and authority in high end stores like the now (sadly) defunct I. Magnin & Co. And a wonderful mother who taught me about style and quality and elegance.
BeeGee, I agree with you. The Toreador is pretty, but looks dangerous to me! The platform looks like an afterthought. I'm sure they make quite a statement on, but I wouldn't want to suffer a broken bone to fine out:)
Oh, no no no. Those shoes are hideous!!!
LOVE these black and red shoes - thanks for the tip Mrs T! Ohhhh I adore platforms - so flattering, so solid and easy to tromp about in all day! Almost as reliable as wedge heels. Beautiful! Now then, do they ship to the UK is the only question....
Cute shos for the holidays!!!
At the risk of disagreeing with our gracious hostess, I have to say that a stiletto heel can only go so high with a regular sole. It is the platform sole that allows the heel to go higher. It is all about engineering - the human foot can only arch upward just so much over the span of its length.
I am NOT an engineer, but heard a great explanation of this one time!
BeeGee, I remember I. Magnin. So elegant.
It wouldn't make any difference. A 3 inch heel is a 3 inch heel is a 3 inch heel. Doesn't matter if there's a platform on it. And I can tell you that in my Louboutins (which are vertiginous) which has a platform, it is still just DAMNED high! I think the heel is 5 inches and the platform is 1. It's just ridonkulous. In fact, I'm wearing themin three weeks time so I really ought to get them out and start practising already.
Yes, Posh.
Unsafe at any speed - or height. Literally fell off of stilettos on the dance floor in Las Vegas and the badly torn ankle ligament took months to heal.
They should come with training wheels!
I am kind of disappointed by the designs I saw from Isabel for payless. I liked the pom pom flats the best.
No Lady O pictures from The Vineyard yet?
Darrell, strangely not a single one!
As a shoeinista - I have to say Payless shoes never seem to fit right and they are very uncomfortable. Payless is great for growing children, but for adults - I'll pass, regardless of the designer.
Darrell:
My guess is with the negative publicity surrounding Mrs. Obama's trip to Spain, she has decided to keep a low profile.
She took (an undeserved) pelting from the media, so me thinks she wants a nice, peaceful and private vacation without the media intrusion!