Kirna Zabete at Nine West Collection — Shoes Worthy of a Spring Fling!
Sarah Easley and Beth Buccini, the creative duo behind New York City-based boutique Kirna Zabete seem to understand that, if fashion is one vast playground, then it pays to make friends they can engage in games of “Red Light, Green Light,” “Simon Says,” and “Freeze Tag.” In other words, collaboration is key to success. Last year, Kirna Zabete was among the handful of boutiques chosen to participate in Target’s “The Shops At Target” initiative and, now, the boutique has joined forces with Nine West to create a capsule collection of shoes that speaks to some of Spring’s key trends.
Featuring nine styles ranging from feather-adorned strappy sandals to lace-up sneaker wedges, the Kirna Zabete at Nine West collection offers something for every aesthetic sensibility. One of my favorite styles is the Kirna Zabete at Nine West Alitra ($129 at NineWest.com), shown above at top, a coquettish 4″-tall leather sandal with an open vamp, a wide strap above the toes, a rounded peep toe, and an ankle collar with three layers of overlapping ruffles. Available in beige or black, the Alitra pumps add a bit of can-can playfulness to any ensemble — particularly if it involves a bouncy skirt. Another standout is the Kirna Zabete at Nine West Kneata $99 at NineWest.com), shown second above, a black leather flat with a T-strap construction, an ankle strap closure, a 1/4″ rubber heel, and all-over conical black spikes that add a slightly treacherous, edgy rocker flavor, as well as a pointy toe that’s perfectly on trend.
Other dressy summer sandal options include the Kirna Zabete at Nine West Wexlar ($99 at NineWest.com), pictured third above, a shimmering thong sandal with clear rhinestone-adorned, undulating suede strips that create a swirling cagework effect around the ankle. For a hint of feminine exuberance, try the Kirna Zabete at Nine West Seashell Sandals ($79 at NineWest.com), shown sixth above, available in a magenta pink shade, their cross-shaped suede straps adorned with lush chiffon rosette details.
Among the more urban-flavored options, meanwhile, you’ll find the Kirna Zabete at Nine West Jois Pumps ($169 at NineWest.com), which speak to the 50 Shades of Gray-inspired fashions we’re seeing this season, which include everything from harnesses to lace-up, knee-high sandals and pumps that create a bondage-inspired look. The black leather Jois sandal, shown last above, features a single wide strap that runs from one side to the next, right above the toe, and a heel counter that extends all the way along the back of the leg, with black ribbons that wrap around the ankle and secure the shoe in place, their tips adorned with metal spikes for an added dose of S&M-inspired spunk. Featuring a 4 1/2″ heel with a 1/2″ pumps, these shoes are perfect for a bit of a dominatrix-tinged look.
And, as a nod to the current fascination with wedge sneakers, the collection incorporates the Kirna Zabete at Nine West Evlo ($129 at NineWest.com), shown fifth above, a black suede-and-leather hi-top sneaker with mesh overlays that sits atop a 4″ wedge heel.
Lastly, the Kirna Zabete at Nine West Bandeau Sandals ($129 at NineWest.com), pictured fourth above, convey a cheeky burlesque feel thanks to the clusters of wispy feathers adorning the satin uppers. Featuring two thin straps with buckles closures along the ankle, the Bandeau sandals feature 4 3/4″ heels and a 1/4″ platform. Admittedly, these are the shoes I least like in the collection since they feel a bit too costume-y (I can almost imagine a woman walking next to a bow-adorned, overly groomed Poodle wearing them) but, hey, you can’t hit a homerun every time!
Overall, the Kirna Zabete at Nine West collection is solid, if somewhat predictable. Yes, most of the styles feel derivative — after all, we’ve been seeing way more innovative wedge sneaker styles for years now, and the cagework and rosette-adorned thong sandals are both rather conventional fare. Still, the pointy-toed Kneata flats, with their funky spike details, and the ruffle-adorned Alitra sandals caught my eye almost immediately, so those would be my top two picks in the collection.
What do you think of the collection? Which styles caught your eye?
