Brian Atwood - The New Louboutin?

Move aside red sole heels, a new sexy heel is taking over Hollywood.  It seemed for a long time that Louboutins were dominating the red carpet and the hearts of celebs and fashionistas alike. Although Louboutin are in no way becoming extinct from the Hollywood and fashion scene, Brian Atwood pumps are quickly making their way up the shoe hierarchy.  The oh so popular "Manic" heel have graced the feet of many stylish celebs including Sarah Jessica Parker, Victoria Beckham, Demi Moore, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Kate Hudson and the list goes on and on. Brian Atwood, ex-model and former Versace assistant, debuted his own shoe collection in 2001 and since then has created a stiff shoe competition for Louboutin and Manolo. With the Oscars and New York Fashion Week just around the corner, I'm looking forward to seeing which shoe will rule the red carpet.

8 Reasons Why BAs Are The New "It" Shoe

1 - Sex and the City 2 put BA on the fashion map. Leave it to SJP to create another shoe phenomenon just like she did for Manolo during the show series.  The lilac studded "Loca" pump SJP wears in the film sold out across the country instantly and had Net-A-Porter as well as other retailers clamoring to get more pairs in stock. Atwood made four custom pairs for SJP's character, Carrie Bradshaw, and provided her with 30 pairs to wear during the film's promotional tour. We saw the "Loca" pump again, but this time in pink, on Blake Lively in the Paris season opener of Gossip Girls.


2 -  Brian Atwood was named Designer of the Year at the Footwear News Achievement Awards at MoMa last month. The host, Fairchild Fashion Group’s Michael Atmore, described the event as “a tiny bit of Golden Globes…You never know what’s going to happen.”


3- Stylist/reality star Rachel Zoe is one of Atwood's biggest cheerleader and when she puts her stamp on something it's hard to ignore. With publicity outlets such as a reality show, daily fashion newsletter and A-list clients, she can definitely help boast a fashion career. Zoe has been friends with Atwood for fifteen year and recently told InStyle,"We met dancing on a table in Paris when we were both starting out in our careers.” In fact, she is such a huge fan that her first official Zoe Report newsletter was the "Lola" platform pumps. Zoe also included Atwood in a fashion spread for the September issue of Harper's Bazaar to promote her reality show.


4 - Victoria Beckham is another big endorser of Atwood who literally lives in BAs; creating photos ops and free publicity for Atwood wherever she goes. Whether it's at the airport or at the Grove with her sons, Ms. Beckham is always sporting a pair of BAs.  Atwood also recently collaborated with Victoria on designing a metallic rose gold pump for her Spring 2011 dress collection.



5 - Atwood has drive and ambition which extend beyond sexy pumps. He recently told Women’s Wear Daily, “for me, the sky is the limit if it keeps the integrity of the brand...Ralph Lauren started in ties and look what he has become.”

6 - BAs have stolen the hearts of young Hollywood, thereby giving them a coolness factor. Most recently at the People's Choice Awards, Leighton Meester, Minka Kelly, Mila Kunis, and Emma Roberts rocked the red carpet in a signature BA pump.

7 - A recognizable style. Remember the court room drawings of Lindsey Lohan's red sole heels which everyone knew were Louboutins?  BA's signature "Manic" shoe has a very distinct toe and heel. They might not have the red soles but you can still spot a BA from miles away.

8 - You know you've made it when there are knockoffs of your design.  After the "Loca" pump frenzy, thanks to SATC2, there was an abundant selection of cheaper versions made for those that couldn't afford the $800 price tag.

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