Shades of Gradient — Jeffrey Campbell’s Lita Bootie Now Available With A Gradient Heel

Que ombré! Fashion designers, hairstylists, and nail artists have all toyed with the ombré trend in recent seasons, and now footwear designer Jeffrey Campbell has decided to follow in their footsteps — literally — be giving one of his most popular shoe styles, the Lita, an exciting new twist: a gradient heel.

With its pronounced, ’70s-inspired toe, lace-up vamp, built-in 2″ platform, and 5″ block heel, the Jeffrey Campbell Lita always makes a fashion statement (which might explain its popularity during New York Fashion Week when the style is ubiquitous). But beyond its funky silhouette, what makes the Lita endlessly lovable is its penchant for transformation: this karma chameleon has been covered in silver- and gold-toned spikes; it’s been fabricated with velvet, suede, pebbled leather, and tapestry fabric; it’s been color-blocked, doused with glitter, dip-dyed, spotted, woven, given a Scottish twist with a red tartan print, made a beacon of American patriotism with a USA flag pattern, and thrust into outer space with a galactic print. The show named after Lita Ford of The Runaways has, without a doubt, become a runaway success.

 The latest incarnation, the Jeffrey Campbell Lita Grad ($169.95 at Solestruck.com), retains the classic style’s silhouette but incorporates glossy patent leather uppers and a gradient acrylic heel that lightens as one’s gaze moves down its length, moving from the color of the shoe’s uppers to a a clear tone. Available in fuchsia, navy blue, deep red, black, and white, the Lita Grad earns major points for its subtle trompe l’oeil effect, making this Grad worthy of Summa Cum Laude status.