Sarahs Style Emporium

With technology moving as fast as it is, it’s any wonder we can keep up. Yesterday’s Words with Friends is todays Draw Something and tomorrow we’ll probably be playing a game that’s not even invented yet. Our time is precious, but we use most of the spare minutes we have online, so anything that will make that time more enjoyable is valuable.

Technology moves fast - remember Minority Report in 2002?

Even more prized than enjoyment however, is efficiency. The apps that help us get things done faster are worth their weight in gold and the newest app available on facebook (and coming soon to a computer, iPad or smart phone near you) does just this, bringing the kind of technology we have only dreamt about to the tip of your fingers. Quite literally.

I have over 650 facebook friends. Yep, I know. No, I don’t know all of them personally – some are work contacts, some are friends of friends I’ve met once - but everyone has a purpose for being there. Which makes it all the more difficult when I can’t remember someone’s name, only their face. Or what they were wearing.

Turns out, most of us work on these visual cues, seeing life in images rather than words. Thereitis brings this psychology and cool 3D technology together with Spaces, the most advanced search tool to hit since Minority Report suggested something like it a few years back.

The Thereitis Spaces app displays all your friends in 3D - and you can sort them by gender and relationship status

It’s really quite nifty. My 650 friends profile shots are displayed in 3D, on a rotating axis. I can use my finger (on iPad or smart phone) or computer mouse to spin the images and leverage my already organic ability to detect what it is I am looking for with visual clues. Sort by gender, location or latest profile updates. 

Only remember the first letter of someone’s name? Search using the alphabet. Search by relationship status – handy to see which of your friends are single in one hit (although slightly reminiscent of The Social Network, rather than Minority Report…) or just check out the most recent photo additions in one place.

The guys in the Social Network searched the single ladies at Harvard - the compared them

You can also use the Spaces app to see all the photos you have been tagged in on the one axis, a clever way to show a photo montage of yourself over the years and perfect for 21st birthday parties.

Now, while this app is fun and super handy for those moments when you can’t remember that tall dark stranger you added at the club on Saturday night, it’s the future of this technology that I am more interested in. A quick look at the developers website and I’m shown a mass of shoes floating around an axis.

Sort by colour, price, style while viewing in 3D - online shopping in the future

Imagine the possibilities – online shopping, where you are looking for the perfect pink peeptoe, made easy. No more trawling though online site after online site. Imagine seeing all the pink peeptoes in one, easy to compare, place? Or should I say, space?

I imagine it’s as easy as spotting the one you are after and saying, “There it is!”

Brands – especially fashion brands - are continually coming up with new and innovative ways to expose up and coming talent in the industry.

The latest to venture into this space is shoe label ALDO, launching RISE to support, promote and celebrate daring talent in the fashion community.

The selected designers collaborate intimately with ALDO to turn their visions into reality – whether it’s behind-the-scenes to help produce and promote their fashion show or designing the perfect set of heels to strut a runway look.

JW Anderson, Christian Cota, Cushnie Et Ochs, Faster by Mark Fast, Libertine and Preen are all breaking new ground in their designs and can now incorporate footwear into their lines for SS12.

ALDO states: 'To RISE is to go beyond, to find your own path', and this is very much like the designers than have been chosen for this seasons collaborations.

Check out the ALDO RISE Tumblr for more inspiration and shoe fabulousness.

Meet CORVINA.

I want to take her out. All. Summer. Long.

Zu Shoes $200

But just in case she is busy...

NEROLI and ALLSORT will do just fine too.

It is true what they say. People who like shoes are just nicer people.

Well, they don’t say that, but I do.

Anyone who has an affection for footwear was clearly blessed with the nice gene as well and last week I had the pleasure of hanging out with a group of them for a whole afternoon.

Must to my surprise and delight, I was invited to be a guest of StyleTread at the Cox Plate Ladies Luncheon and join the StyleTread team to indulge in an afternoon of shoe small talk. The clincher? The racewear dresscode – StyleTread offered to fit me out with shoes, a bag and a fascinator. I nearly feel off my chair with excitement. Everything but the dress.

I called Miss F in a panic. So many pairs of shoes on one website to choose from? My brain might have imploded. First I needed to choose the frock - the colours and accessories would follow.

Dress: Basque at Myer; Shoes by Lipstik, Clutch by Peeptoe, Facinator by Morgan & Taylor,
all at StyleTread

My Basque navy and white dress seemed to fit the bill but I didn’t want to bring the boring down with tan or navy accessories. As we know, this season is all about colour and a quick Twitter callout confirmed my thoughts. Orange was the way to go.

StyleTread has orange in spades. Everything from mandarin, tangerine and bad fake tan to coral, amber and carrot. In the end, coral made the cut – Lipstik peeptoe platform pumps, a Morgan & Taylor oversized flower fascinator and a nude hardcase clutch by Peeptoe.

Emily (MelbGirl) and I (Instagram filter added, image thank to Em!)

After popping into the office for a few hours, I cabbed it out to Moonee Valley where the champagne and cocktails were already on tap. The StyleTread team (and their awesome shoe ute) were already in attendance, together with fashion reporter Georgie from mX, blogger Emily from MelbGirl and Herald Sun Shopping Confessions columnist and blogger, Kathy.

The colour of the room - at Moonee Valley Racetrack

There was colour everywhere, from the decadent headpieces the ladies were wearing to the cute garden chairs we sat on. Spring was definitely in the air. We dined on tartlet, spatchcock and trifle (not all together!) and sipped Sparkling Brut, all the while admiring the fashion and enjoying the entertainment – Katie Noonan sang while the Love Never Dies cast put on a stellar performance.

Love Never Dies

I met Shane Carrroll, buyer and stylist for StyleTread who says ‘Cobalt, orange, fuchsia, red, purple, lime and chartreuse are the vivid hues turning heads this season. They will make you the centre of attention!’

My thanks to StyleTread for my gorgeous shoes and accessories, and the chance to be the ultimate fashionista for an afternoon! Sure beats being at work.

StyleTread offer free and fast delivery, free returns and a 100 day returns policy. With hundreds of styles, colours, heel heights and accessories (for men, women AND children) you don’t even have to leave your living room to get set for the races (or Christmas, New Years or Valentines…) to be properly prepared.

They really do have everything but the dress!

(Thanks also to StyleTread for all the photos!)

This is my niece. She totally takes after me.

Perhaps a love of shoes runs in the name.

Sarah Figgins is the founder of ShoeSales.com.au and a fellow fashionista and shoe tragic.

Also nicknamed 'Imelda', Sarah launched the site less than a year ago and, since then, ShoeSales.com.au has taken off.

For Spring/Summer 11, ShoeSales.com.au presents a bright, multihued collection with inspiration drawn from colourful Andy Warhol prints. Pink makes a strong presence this fashion season and is the perfect hue for the races.

ShoeSales.com.au SS'11 collection mixes the modern with 1950's nostalgia and seventies funk. Feminine with a splash of edginess to work the warmer months. It's retro but with a twist!

Boop $89.95

Miley $89.95

Lili $89.95

These are a few of my favourites. Nautical and 50s inspired treats. I can't wait for the races!

Reasonable prices, free shipping within a week in Australia (and NZ!) and styling tips to boot? No pun intended.

ShoeSales.com.au - your online love affair.