I Want Her Shoes Newsletter Vol 6

Hi love,

This edition feels extra special—between celebrating Episode 20 of the podcast (!!), diving into the rich history of Couture Week, and soaking up big style energy from Miami to Paris, there’s so much to share.

On the home front, I’ve been deep in family time—took the boys out on the boat for the 4th (Vasili’s first time—my heart!) and escaped to Naples, our favorite little beachside reset. Those slow moments keep me grounded while the rest of life (and fashion!) moves at full speed.

Also: we launched our community this week! As someone who's part of hundreds of groups and founder circles, I’ll tell you this—WhatsApp is the one place I check the most consistently. So that’s where we’ve built it: curated corners to swap shoes, get outfit help, share inspo, and lift each other up. I hope it becomes your new favorite space to show up, speak up, and sparkle a little brighter.

Let’s jump in—because whether you’re dressing up for a dream or winding down in denim, your story deserves to be seen.

With love + style,
Anna, Your Editor & Host

This Week’s Edit: From Paris to Group Chat

Couture Fashion Week: History & Highlights

Paris Couture Week has been turning heads for over 50 years—but couture’s roots go way back. From 1850s salon shows to runway revolutions, it’s always been about more than clothes—it’s culture, craft, and confidence stitched into every seam.

  • Origins trace to Charles Frederick Worth in the 1850s–1860s, who pioneered salon-style displays and formed the Chambre syndicale in 1868 — laying the foundation for haute couture.

  • By 1945, France legally defined “Haute Couture,” requiring custom-made garments, multiple fittings, and minimum staff — formalizing the couture category.

  • Paris Couture Week, as we know it, debuted in 1973, merging ready-to-wear and couture under the Fédération de la Haute Couture.

The Battle of Versailles (1973)

Held inside the Palace of Versailles, this historic fashion showdown pitted five top French designers (like Yves Saint Laurent and Hubert de Givenchy) against five American designers (including Halston, Oscar de la Renta, and Stephen Burrows). It wasn’t just a show—it was a shift.

Why it mattered: The Americans stole the spotlight with energy, modernity, and a diverse cast of Black models—ushering in a new era of inclusivity and putting American fashion on the global map.

Editor’s Take:
Versailles wasn’t just a runway moment—it was a mic drop. It proved fashion could be political, theatrical, and powerfully inclusive. Honestly? Still iconic.

Favorite Couture Looks

  • Balenciaga’s molded gowns: Emotional armor

  • Margiela’s bandage masks: Couture as performance art

  • Schiaparelli’s surrealist shells: The ocean is a mood board

  • Rami Al Ali’s ethereal layering: A cultural milestone in motion

Editor’s Take: I couldn’t stop thinking about Margiela’s masked muses — haunting and powerful. And Schiaparelli’s beating heart ♥️ you can’t unsee it! This is the kind of fashion that feels like a future being born.

We Launched a Community (!!)

Big news — The I Want Her Shoes Community 👠 is officially live 🤩✨
We’ve created curated corners just for you to connect, share, and style it out together. Whether you’re outfit-planning, closet-cleaning, or just craving a daily dose of inspo and sass, there’s a place for you here.

Your Cheat Sheet to Our Stylish Spaces:

  • 🛋️ The Lounge — for daily chat + community vibes Join here »

  • 📆 Events — from intimate meetups to full-on IRL magic Join here »

  • 👗 Outfit Check — unsure about the boots + skirt combo? We got you Join here »

  • 👡 Shoe Swap Corner — selling, swapping, searching? Join here »

  • 🛍️ Mini Market — closet cleanouts, handmade gems, side hustles Join here »

  • 🪷 Inspo Board — mood boards, dream fits, quotes, creative fire Join here »

  • ✨ Style Hacks — genius fixes, glam tips, quick wins Join here »

  • 🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Momstyle Moments — for the multitasking mamas Join here »

As a community-forward entrepreneur, I’m part of hundreds of online communities—but truthfully? The ones I actually check the most are always on WhatsApp. It’s personal, quick, and real. So I hope this format works for you too, ladies.

Come as you are, show up when you can, and let’s keep this stylish little corner of the internet real, warm, and fabulous. Can’t wait to chat in there 💕

Modern Chaos with Asha Elias

I’m taking you behind the mic for Episode 20—yes, 20!—with the brilliant Asha Elias: author, columnist, mom, and reluctant socialite. From sex columns to second novels, she gets real about identity, motherhood, Miami madness, and the magic of writing without filters.

👠 Key Moments:

  • The spark behind The Namaste Club—and what it says about modern womanhood.

  • Motherhood, marriage, and ambition in the messy magic of Miami.

  • Why embracing chaos fuels her writing—and her confidence.

  • Style as self-expression: from print deadlines to dinner parties.

Preppy Polish

  • Think cable knits, Oxfords, chinos, pleated skirts, varsity jackets, and boat shoes

  • Polished, timeless, and always ready for a Nantucket weekend

  • There’s the perfect post about this on IG’s @databutmakeitfashion - its that other category!

Editor’s Take:
Preppy isn’t chasing trends—it’s about showing up polished, no matter the decade.

How to Style It:

🧥 Layer Smart: Try a collared shirt under a crewneck sweater or a blazer over a striped tee. Think Ivy League with edge.
👖 Stick to Neutrals: Navy, cream, camel, and forest green are your go-to palette. Add a pastel pop if you’re feeling bold.
👟 Shoes Matter: Loafers, ballet flats, or white sneakers keep it grounded. Bonus points for sock peeks.
🧢 Add a Touch of Whimsy: A silk scarf, pearl studs, or a crest patch brings in that effortless prep signal.
🧵 Tuck It In: Whether it’s a polo or a button-down, a neat tuck adds polish. Finish with a belt to cinch the look.

Pro Tip: Want a modern twist? Mix in denim, a tennis skirt, or go oversized with your Oxford for a chill, TikTok-ready take.

I’m taking you behind the mic with Ella Muradyan—financial crimes specialist, stylish mom, and all-around powerhouse. From high-stakes investigations to school pick-ups, she’s redefining what balance looks like.

👠 Key Moments:

  • Ella’s journey into financial compliance—and the resilience that fueled it.

  • How she blends sharp style with motherhood and a demanding career.

  • Her go-to tip for smart money management (and an equally smart wardrobe).

 🎥 [Watch Episode 9 on YouTube 👇]

What’s Hot Right Now: Fashion Headlines

Quick takes on what’s making waves globally this week:

Editor’s Take: What I’m loving (and keeping tabs on) in the world of style and sustainability.

  • Schiaparelli @ V&A (2026): A new exhibit at the V&A will explore surrealist couture as fine art.
    → Surrealism in fabric — this show is a reminder that couture isn’t just clothing; it’s imagination you can wear.

  • Chanel’s Grand Expansion: To mark its 110th anniversary, Chanel is opening a regal new salon in the restored Grand Palais.
    → Heritage meets grandeur. It’s not just expansion—it’s a love letter to craftsmanship and history.

  • Biodegradable Design via Seaweed: Designer Caroline Zimbalist is using seaweed and corn starch to create biodegradable dresses worn by stars like Chappell Roan
    → When fashion meets biology, the future glows green—and yes, it can star on stage and on the red carpet.

  • Top Couture Trends: Polka Dots, Bows, Pearls & Gold: Paris Couture Week spotlights four luxe trends: playful dots, strategic bows, pearl studs, and full‑on gold.
    → These aren’t just runway statements—they translate. Ready to dot, tie, gild, or pearl your wardrobe?

Brand Buzz: Burberry and Saint Laurent Logos

Burberry’s New Identity

  • Daniel Lee revived the 1901 Equestrian Knight and “Prorsum” (Latin for “forward”)

  • Swapped the sans serif minimalism for classic typography, signaling a return to roots

Editor’s Take:
I wish they’d kept a nod to the old logo—maybe I’m just old-fashioned. Still, the knight comeback is iconic.

Saint Laurent

  • Kept the minimalist aesthetic but refined the letterforms for sharper, elevated impact

  • Still no return of the “Yves” — but the quiet confidence speaks volumes

Editor’s Take:
It’s giving quiet luxury, but make it Parisian. Saint Laurent isn’t screaming for attention—it’s inviting you to look closer. The update feels like a whisper in a world of shouts.

Where to Be Seen: Miami Edition

Fashion is nothing without fabulous places to wear it. Here’s what’s on
my calendar locally:

🥂🍔 Taste the Gables 
📍Coral Gables’ signature culinary month, is back for its 3rd, most exciting edition yet!
📅  From July 1st to 31st, over 70 restaurants will be offering exclusive three-course prix fixe menus, happy hour specials, and unique promos—including Arcano.

👠🕶️👛 Luxury Shoe/Accessories SWAP
📅 July 31 • 🕒 6:30 PM – 9 PM
📍 atMDD (RSVP for exact location)

The 1st Luxury Shoe Swap was a HUGE HIT! So we added Accessories 🎀


📅 August 28 • 🕒 6:30 PM – 9 PM
📍 atMDD (RSVP for exact location)
Bring your besties, your heels, and your statement bags. Sip wine, swap accessories, and leave styled to the nines.

📚🍸 Books & Books Summer Reading Series 
📍At The Commodore inside The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove
📅  Now through September 21st, sip $20 cocktails crafted by Gio Gutierrez, borrow a paired Miami-inspired book to enjoy while you lounge, and score 10% off your next purchase at Books & Books Coconut Grove.

👙🌊🩲 Waves of Style: Swimwear Through the Decades 
📍HistoryMiami Museum 101 W Flagler St, Miami, FL 33130 
📅  Now – October 5, 2025

💋 Until next time — keep wearing your story.

That’s a wrap on Volume 6! From fashion house revivals to seaweed dresses and the Battle of Versailles, this issue is all about honoring your voice—whether it's whispered in a well-cut blazer or shouted in sequins.

And now, with our brand new community live on WhatsApp, we have a space to keep the conversation going beyond the newsletter. It's real, it’s warm, and it’s already full of magic. If you haven’t joined yet—this is your official invite.

So here’s your reminder: You don’t need permission to lead, to wear what lights you up, or to take up space—in your closet, your career, or your community.

Keep dressing with intention. Keep showing up.
And if no one’s told you this week? You’re doing amazing ♥️

With love + style,
Anna, Your Editor & Host - 𝐼 𝒲𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝐻𝑒𝓇 𝒮𝒽𝑜𝑒𝓈