Keeping it Cool at the Payless Spring '11 Preview

Lucky for me, Intern Craig keeps me cool. Or he tries.




When we walked off the elevator and right into the Payless Spring Preview last week, I'm pretty sure we were both like "OMG!" when the first person we saw was Isabel Toledo. Craig kept it all inside, while I was violently kicking him on the shins with my eyes. I think that's when he realized he was going to have to rein me in. Then in the other room we saw Christian Siriano.

While I was all "Go get a picture, go get a picture, I want some biscotti!" Intern Craig firmly reminded me that this was a preview in a roomful of fashion editors. One does not take pictures of designers or eat the biscotti in front of fashion editors. I didn't touch the biscotti but I managed to get a few pictures when Craig wasn't looking (above).

We'll publish shots of the spring shoes in February, but I can tell you now to save your pennies for the new Isabel Toledo spring bootie. It converts three different ways and all are fabulous. Below are shots of the holiday collection now in stores, including Sirianos, Toledos, and Lela Rose, whose collection for spring is dependably attractive and perfect for work and evening.

That bronze shoe was gifted to us ladies. The guys got fabulous slip-ons. Craig will model soon.

The spring Sirianos were strappy, lovely, and, like his past collections, coordinated with his runway colors. But not all of what we saw on the runway will be in the collection. I asked Payless about a run of another limited edition, talon heel-like collection, and they said "possibly." Bottom line is, Christian Siriano is expanding his collaboration with Payless (boots and shoes for Fall '11) and it will be up to him. Craig restrained me from accosting Mr. Siriano and begging and pleading, but I think I speak for all of us when I say "more amazing, off-the-runway, talon heel-like editions, please."

*Currently it's BOGO 1/2 off at Payless. I'd check out some of these boots and BOGO away.

Payless, 110 W. 34th Street at Broadway
&
Payless, 34th Street and 8th Avenue