My very first pair of luxury shoes has been camel Rodolphe Menudier mules. It was seven years ago in July 02. I was in Paris for some days between my finals and coming back home. It was the middle of summer sales and Zara and my usual stores has been devastated. Hence I decided to make some luxury stores. I got into Rodolphe Menudier store (14, rue de Castiglione, Paris) at walking distance from Place Vendôme. While I looked like a student (i.e. poor), the shoe advisor was truely friendly.

It was Menudier first store in France by his own. It has¬†opened a few months earlier. I fell in love with his creations. I made up my mind on a pair of camel peep toe mules. They had just an elegant thin strap across the toes. The wooden spike heels were 2 3/4”. The insole was made of fabric with lion face and fur patterms. The outsole was silver leather outsole with a backward point, Rodolphe Menudier signature. I couldn’t buy them right away. €150, even with 50% discount was more than I ever spent on a pair of shoes. Plus, it was the last step of 3 days of shopping. I came back home. I dreamed of them for 3 weeks.

I eventually asked to one of my girlfriends to go and buy them for me. Not only, she found my size out, but also she got a bigger discount down to ‚ €70. 7 years later, I still get and wear those shoes. I felt so comfy in Menudier shoes that I’ve never bought cheap heel shoes since. Neither not-shoe designers.

I am not saying I buy only expensive luxury shoes. I mean I buy only designer shoes. Who I call a shoe designer is someone getting the science of manufacturing shoes. He or she is almost a craftperson, who knows how to make good-looking AND comfortable shoes. Menudier sole arch fits my feet’s. Until-4” heel. Above – whatever the designer – I can certainly get out of the car, walk to my chair, sit down and have dinner, but that’s all. I already walked along Paris one entire half day (a whole day is too much) with 3 1/2” heel pumps. I tried once, not twice. Strolling really damages luxury shoes.

I usually buy 1 to 2 pairs of Menudier a year. I wear them all. Even after several years, they keep looking classy. Rodolphe Menudier goods have always been rock’n roll. He added studs, shimmer, fringes and laces to his shoes, bags, tights, socks and jackets well before those embellishments have started to breakthrough for the last couple of years.

Menudier disappointed me once last spring. While I was in California, I wanted their booklet to choose pumps or peep-toe boots for me to wear at my sister’s wedding. When I called the store, the very friendly advisor told me they didn’t send anymore catalogs outside France. He even remembered I went by at Xmas (And I believe him, yes). I e-mailed the customer service, saying how I was a devotee. They never answered.

I wrote once more to ask them for e-mailing a PDF. No reply. I even wrote to Rodolphe Menudier himself via his facebook account, apologizing for getting such a chutzpah and begging for the booklet. Nothing.

I swore I would never buy Menudier anymore (I picked Camilla Skovgaard green saddle peep toe boots instead. Camilla Skovgaard customer service is great by the way. Menudier should get them as reference). Despite that, I couldn’t keep myself from paying a visit in July. I got 4 hours correspondence between 2 flights at Orly airport. I took 2 hours for a round trip to Paris just to see the collection and pick one pair of fireman-red pumps up. I donned them at the church. I hope Menudier sale advisors are duly rewarded for doing such a damned good job in retaining customers. It’s certainly not thanks to the customer service I’m making this post.

Spread in the post are some winter 09/10 pieces

At first sight, those heels don’t look big. They are. I have not those pumps, but I’ve got 2 black pairs with this heel shape. Everytime I wear them, people tell me how I am tall since my heels are not so big.

I don’t like those cage boots. It reminds me YSL’s.

I like those at right. I think the heel is at least 4 3/4” (12 cm). I can’t walk with that. Plus, since I am 5’9”, I would feel like giant.

The rooms on those pics really look like the French store.

Like those boots. They dress up your legs.

Love those yellow boots. I think it’s gorgeous with a jean.

Usually I prefer pointed shoes. They really complete an outfit and makes the guy look sexy. But I like those round shoes on this pic. To give a try.

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Author: Gaelle