Shoe cool: Christian Siriano, Lela Rose & Isabel Toledo for Payless

MANILA, Philippines - At the recent New York Fashion Week, Lincoln Center transformed itself into a hub of runways and designers, models, and the rest of the fashion circuit previewed the hottest looks for the upcoming fall season. Christian Siriano for Payless and Lela Rose for Payless were among the various labels that showcased must-haves for fall ’11.

Payless Designer Collections are among the most widely distributed designer footwear labels in America today. 

Payless’ fall ’11 designer lines featured original footwear and handbag designs expected to be available in September at attractive and accessible price points.

In the meantime, shoppers can prepare their wardrobes for warmer temps with the Payless Spring Designer Collections, including Christian Siriano for Payless, Lela Rose for Payless, and Isabel Toledo for Payless — all hitting select Payless stores nationwide in the coming weeks.

Rose to the occasion: The Lela Rose for Payless collection at New York Fashion Week incorporates a strong mix of fabrics, textures, and substantial shapes designed to coordinate well with the narrow silhouettes and angular shoulder designs of Rose’s RTW apparel for fall.

“We are thrilled to return to Lincoln Center this season and have our Payless Designer Collections debuted on the runway at our Designer Partners’ shows,” said LuAnn Via, CEO and president of Payless ShoeSource.  “Christian and Lela each have a unique ability to create a beautiful synergy between their ready-to-wear (RTW) and Payless collections — defining a growing trend of mixing high and low fashion with amazing results.  Our Designer Labels embody high-fashion style and design, yet are available at affordable prices for all to enjoy — a true testament to our shared commitment to democratizing fashion.”

Designed to channel natural influences, the Christian Siriano for Payless Gold label for fall ’11 evokes shapes and textures of exotic plants and animals found in their earthy environments.  These elements are expressed in the shoes, which feature a signature blunt, hoofed-toe shape, petal detailing, and a mix of fabrics and textures suggestive of natural coats, including furry wool and gunmetal python. 

The Christian Siriano for Payless Gold collection is Christian’s exclusive line for Payless inspired by his runway shoe and handbag designs. The fall ’11 line features six styles accented by rich gold hardware, dome rivet studs, petal embellishments, leather straps and stick-straight lacquered heels.  One notable, head-turning style is the convertible Tall-Shaft armor boot, an aesthetically powerful two-in-one style that features a contemporized Mary Jane upper and a gladiator-esque removable armor shaft.  A tote and a clutch will also be carried down the runway in python and a lavish green “windmill” fabric — a nod to the natural inspiration of Christian’s collection.

The Lela Rose fall ’11 collection is inspired by the work of painter Gerhard Richter, who believed that paintings should focus on the visual rather than the statement.  Lela Rose has created unique, Richter-esque fabric prints that embody the artist’s style of obscure imagery and are seen in the apparel and the Lela Rose for Payless shoes.  The Lela Rose for Payless fall ’11 runway collection features substantial shapes created to coordinate with the narrow silhouettes and angular shoulder designs of Lela’s fall apparel looks. The shoes feature a strong mix of fabrics and textures such as wool tweed and laser-cut perforated suede, as well as rich colors including emerald green, mustard, and camel.  The line features five key styles characterized by “hazy-square” patterned silk, metallic fabrics, and distinctive wooden heels and wedges woven together with inlaid fabric.  Coordinating handbags will also be featured in the fall ’11 collection and will incorporate similar design details.

In the Philippines, Payless is managed by Footwear Specialty Retailers, Inc., a division of Stores Specialists, Inc., It has aggressively expanded from its first store at Festival Mall in Alabang last July to nine stores by the end of 2010. Payless ShoeSource is now open in SM Megamall, Ali Mall, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Shoppesville Greenhills, Power Plant Mall, Robinsons Galleria, Market! Market! and Marquee Mall in Pampanga. More stores are set to open this year in Metro Manila, as well as in Cebu, Davao, and Cagayan De Oro.