KAWS @ PAFA

Hurry over to PAFA to check out the bright, exuberant new exhibit: KAWS @ PAFA!  KAWS is a pop artist and sculptor inspired by media and pop culture, and his larger-than life creations will be on display until January 5.

For some reason, the Inquirer’s art critic hated it.  To him, I say: loosen up, would you?  I was an art history minor and I am just eating this up.  I mean, how fun is this?

I’m all childish wonder here.  It’s unexpected and joyous.  It lightens the spirit.  It’s classic and new; it’s a whirling dervish of absurd juxtaposition. 

Sort of like these!  The Raspberry by Mel by Melissa is in the shape of a classic pump, but it’s made of PVC!  And it’s bright pink!  With a heart!  A classic and a piece of pop art at the same time.  The heel is 4.5 inches, but there’s a hidden one-inch platform so it won’t feel as tall.  Also available in black with red, gray with red, and red with pink; find them on Zappos for $60.  (Well, the pink and the black; the other two are $75.)

There are paintings too:

How I love the juxtaposition of the graphic canvases with the classical sculpture!

Strong lines, bright colors… the Easy Does It by Chinese Laundry would fit right in in this room!  This D’Orsay flat has a manmade upper and a pointed toe (I’m digging the blue-on-blue!).  Available in six other color combos if you don’t like the blue; your choice for $55 from Lori’s Shoes.

There’s even an installation on the outside of PAFA:

It’s called Born to Bend.  It’s Gumby (or something like Gumby)!  On PAFA!

The JA16341G0X JI0 000 by LOVE Moschino is a green jelly sandal that bends its way up your foot.  Plus look at all the stars!  It’s totally decked out in gold stars.  Nice touch indeed.  Yours for $67 from 6pm.

So go to PAFA and wander around.  Use the old to help you see the new, and the new to see the old, and ponder the varied expression of the human experience.  With Gumby.  Just do it.

KAWS @ PAFA runs through January 5.  Admission is $15; $12 if you’re 60 or older or a student with I.D., $12; or $8 for anyone age 13-18.

The Philadelphia Collection

If it’s fall, it’s time for the Philadelphia Collection.  Starting Thursday, there’s a week of trunk shows, sample sales, happy hours, even a book signing.  (Keep your eyes peeled—there are even ambush makeovers!) 

There aren’t any shoe events, though!  What?  Oversight!!  That’s okay; I’ll pick up the slack.  Here’s a selection of designer shoes from upcoming fall collections!

The Cheap and Chic Ankle Bootie by Moschino is not cheap, but it sure is chic!  It’s almost like a boot-within-a-boot, with a ruffled dark brown outer layer and a straight, lighter brown inner layer.  It also has a three-inch heel and a zipper up the back to let you in.  It’s also available in all black; find them at Bloomingdale’s for $595.

Lovely!  The Butterfly-Cutout Pump by Bottega Veneta is a plum suede beauty, with elaborate swirling cutouts up the front.  It has a five-inch heel (nice and solid), one-inch platform, and zipper up the back in case you need a little help getting in.  Love it?  It’s yours for $1050 from Neiman Marcus.

Now how cool is the Short Boot by Alexandre Birman?  It’s a navy suede boot with a 4.5-inch heel and half-inch platform, but the real star is the triangular python cutouts around the top!  (That’s real python, people.)  And look at the little studs sprinkled in there... my goodness.  Yours from Nordstrom for $650.

Flats-lovers, I haven’t forgotten you:

The Pigalove Patent Leather Flat by Christian Louboutin is so ladylike!  But wait—take a look at the toe from this angle:

Love!  Amazing, right?  Now that’s a shape you don’t see too often.  Patent leather, crystals, a pointy toe—this is a classic.  Now where did I leave that extra $1595?  I’m sure Saks takes plastic...

Check out the full list of the Philadelphia Collection’s events here.  Go!  Be fabulous!