These boots are so incredibly cool. Even though they weren't meant to be, I see them as a sort of tribute to Michael Jackson. They look like the leather jackets he wore back in the Thriller days. These boots are the Alexander McQueen Peep Toe Ankle Boot and they come in both silver and black and they can be worn with the 'collar' up or snapped down. Personally, I like it snapped down. Check out the skull shaped zipper pull. Love it! They have a 4.5 inch heel and a .5 inch platform. $1,159. 

Available here for $1,159

You can only look seriously hot in these Giuseppe Zanotti shoes.  This is one of his best and most unique designs as of late and will definitely be a status shoe of the season!

The heel measures approximately 4.25 inches and the whole shoes are covered in satin and black Swarovki Crystals. The sandals also have wide cut-out straps with pointed and triangle shape edges that resemble a flame. Serioulsy 'hot' shoes.  Available at LUISAVIAROMA.COM $1,434 (price includes shipping and import tax).

If you haven't already noticed, I have a bit of a problem with the fact that the US gets slim pickings when it comes to designer shoes. Don't get me wrong, I love the perfection of Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo and Guiseppe Zanotti shoes but sometimes you just want to throw caution to the wind and put your own signature to your style with wonderfully non conforming, exorbitant and lavish styles. Some of my favorite (and yours) shoes on this blog come from shoes that only sell overseas, like this Bally shoe.

This is the Bally Peep Toe Leather Strap Sandals and they are suede with leather straps. They have an open toe cut out, as well as a cut out above the toes. Most fabulous however is the tapered gold heel with intricate cut-outs. The heel measures 4 inches and the platform is .75 inches, so they will feel like a fairly comfortable 3.25 inches. $2,020 at LUISAVIAROMA.COM (price includes import taxes and shipping).

Saks has just released some new Fall 2009 shoes and the following are my favorites. Available at Saks.

This is the Dior suede and python ankle boot. I really like the texture throughout the entire shoe, even the heel. When the shoe is on the foot, the cut outs between the suede straps is more apparent. It has a 4.25 inch heel and a 1 inch platform. $1,090.

This shoe truly warms my heart. First, because it's a gorgeous paillette shoe, and I love paillettes (sequins). Second, because it's Gucci. My old, favorite label. It's in no way near my favorite label now. When Tom Ford left, the label went quickly downhill in my opinion. Anyway, this shoe is reminiscent of the good old days of fabulous Gucci designs.

It's the Gucci Sofia Paillettes Ankle Boots and it has a 4 inch heel. The only thing that could improve this shoe is if the heel was also covered in paillettes. $1,190.

This Marc Jacobs boot has such a distinct and unique look! It's fashioned after the Holland wooden shoe, and it is totally fresh and new in designer shoes. It's not necessarily beautiful, but it does have a quirky style that I love.  These boots are slip on (it has a 8 inch leg circumference), and the ankle strap functions to keep the shoe from slipping off when you walk. When you are standing in these shoes, you can look into the shoe and see the top of your foot. You gotta see these shoes in person to really appreciate the amazing design.

They are the Marc Jacobs Runway Ankle Boots and they have a 4 inch heel. $845.

I love my designer shoes, but sometimes I need something a little easier on the wallet. Lesser known designers make some really great shoes, but at affordable prices. Here are a few of my favorites:

This is Vince Camuto's 'Angie' shoe. I love the cut out detail and the open heel and toe. It also comes in black. 4 inch heel. $140 at Heels .

These are great year round shoes and they can be dressed up or down. I like the interesting cut out detail on the top of the shoe. It looks like the Guiseppe Zanotti shoe. It's Jessica Simpson's 'Kain' shoe. It has a 4.75 inch heel and a 1 inch platform. $99 at Zappos . 

This is the Guess 'Money 2' shoe and it's just an all aroung good staple shoe. Everone needs a nice silver heel. It has a 4.5 inch heel and a 1.75 inch platform. It's also a good deal. On sale for $57.50 at Heels .

This is the nina 'Gituska' shoe. It has a little bling on a simple, sexy design. It has a 4 inch heel $49 at Zappos .

This is Fergie's 'Mission' slingback. Love it! It has a 5 inch heel and a 1 inch platform. $113 at Heels .

This is the BCBG Girls 'lexs' shoe. Great shoe. It has a 4 inch heel. $80 at Heels .

This Report Signature design is very 'in' right now. It has a 5 inch heel and a 1 inch platfrom. $170 at Heels .

I have just recently become more aware of the fabulous designer Diego Dolcini, and he is quickly becoming one of my favorites. He is not new to the design scene, having done sexy collaborations with Bruno Magli, Emilio Pucci, and Dolce & Gabbana, and he reigned as Creative Director for men's and women's shoes at Gucci. His Dolcini line is very popular in Europe, and as I discover more and more european designers, I am positive we in the US are being jipped out of the best shoes. Thank goodness for ecommerce.

This gorgeous shoe is his lace up jeweled sandal and features a combination of fine materials. It has grey suede, silver leather, and silver Ayers snake cut-out straps and thin reinforced eyelets with Grey ribbon laces. Of course, the focal point is the jeweled heel. It is 4.75 inches and covered in asymmetrical crystals. This shoe also has a 1 inch platform. $1,958 at LUISAVIAROMA.COM .

I'm so thankful we have Steve Madden, especially during a recession. His shoes are great designs, great quality and reasonably priced. This is his super cool Vipperr shoe and was inspired by Lady Gaga (the outrageously dressed pop singer). It is black leather and has a 5 inch heel, and a 1 inch platform. $130 at Steve Madden .

Once again, the Europeans get the cooler shoes than we do in the US. These fabulous Balmain Multi Buckle Boots weren't picked up by our US luxury stores. Net a Porter got the Balmain zippered boot, but they passed on these. At least we can order them online.

These Balmain boots are suede with multi buckle detail and have a 4.75 inch heel and a .5 inch platform. $1,832 (price includes shipping and import tax) at LUISAVIAROMA.COM .

Here is the ankle boot version of this Balmain shoe. Love it! $1,343.

What happens to last season's luxury goods when they don't sell out? They go to an outlet mall. The Outnet is Net a Porter's outlet mall, and their goods are discounted up to 60% off. Check out these Fendi Caged Heel Shoes, 50% off, $345, but they only have a few sizes left. They are from the fendi runway collection and have a 5 inch heel and a 1 inch platform. theOutnet.com.

FINALLY! Net a Porter has gotten their Fall shoe collections in, however, they aren't up on the site yet for sale. I'm assuming they are working on it considering most other on-line stores have theirs out. Based on this preview, they are getting some fabulous shoes. The blck, flame looking, cut out shoe is Guiseppe Zanotti, and it retails for about $1,500 plus. The zippered boot, as we already covered, is Balmain, and about $2,382. the fishnet looking shoe with the cut out front is Jimmy Choo, and about $1,550. I guess these designers are counting on the recession ending pretty soon.