[iLoveCouture]

By Lindsay E. Sammon and Clair Windsor
footwearnews.com

Kerry Norton, who wowed judges with her eco-friendly shoes in the previous challenge, was eliminated last Monday from FN’s Shoe Star contest, leaving four finalists to compete for a design job at Nine West.

Norton struggled with last week’s challenge: to create a day and an evening shoe in sketch form that would complement runway looks from modern couturier Badgley Mischka. In her presentation to the judges — guest panelists Mark Badgley and James Mischka, FN’s Michael Atmore, Nine West’s Fred Allard and FIT’s Ellen Goldstein — the 21-yearold contestant from Little Silver, N.J., designed a shoe without an ankle support. Judges labeled it a “fantasy shoe” that lacked the Badgley Mischka spirit and the technical sophistication needed at this stage of the competition.

“The task was to marry their creative ideas with the Badgley Mischka brand philosophy,” said Atmore. “The winning student will be required to design within the parameters of an existing brand, just like we are asking them to do tonight.”

Each student was given five minutes to present their designs and field questions from the judges about materials and components, the target customer, construction and execution.

“We were pleasantly surprised,” said Badgley. “They all had a lot to offer, they really understand shoe design and had beautiful presentations.”

The biggest surprise of the night came from Ryan Baker, who had earned himself the “sneakerhead” title after presenting athletic-inspired looks during the first two challenges. Baker’s cutout spectator bootie and sexy stiletto garnered high praise from the judges — and a first-place finish for the night.

“Ryan worked with our looks so beautifully, and the sophistication of his work was very impressive,” said Badgley.

Who Stays:


Melissa Cordero: “It went well, but I lost all of my words when I got up [in front of the judges]. I felt the pressure and it showed today,” said Cordero. “But I put everything into [my work] and they saw it. Thank God my work speaks [for itself].”

Cascading gold buttons and jewel-encrusted heels made up Cordero’s “Simply Stated” collection.



Melanie Maggio: “I was really nervous [because] everyone’s work was so good this time,” said Maggio, who had the second-highest score. “It’s getting more competitive. You feel like you have to give everything, like it’s your one shot every time.”

Maggio’s “Day to Night” looks featured white embossed snake skin and patent-wrapped platforms.



Ryan Baker: “Last time [the judges] said something to me about how all my designs revolve around sneakers, so I wanted to show them that’s not everything I am. I do have a jewelry background,” said Baker, who shared news of his night’s win with sister Kristen, eliminated in challenge No. 2. “She was the first one I called afterward. She was ecstatic.”

Baker's polished-steel spike heel and patent-leather details were designed to catch light on the runway.



Karen Hsieh: “The pressure is [on], and I can feel everyone is stepping it up,” said Hsieh, who received mixed reactions on her day shoe from the judges. “It was a bummer because I thought my heel was awesome, but I should have made the upper simpler to complement the heel.”

Hsieh added a banana heel to her evening shoe as a nod to the curves of a woman’s body.



Who Goes:

Kerry Norton: “I didn’t nail it, and everyone else had it right,” said Norton. “If I’d had more time I would have researched the designers’ aesthetic more.”

The designers stepped it up in this challenge, I think that most of these could be made for the masses.