patent leather narratives and nightmares

i remember back in intermediate school, circa 1989 when Paula Abdul did something more than slur incoherently, i had my first experience with patent leather. in the recesses of my mind, i recall having a pair of patent leather shoes that i was so proud of. i even went as far as stringing black ribbon through it, imitating what i thought was the trend set by M.C. Hammer, ( or was it J.Lo and the fly girls?) however gay it was back then. my fashion forward trend of patent leather was only pushed back into the closet, when an upper classman exclaimed, "he's wearing girl shoes!" to this day, i still don't believe my patent leather dance shoes were girl shoes.

it gives me pleasure now to find another patent leather shoe i think i could consider bringing out of the closet and wearing all spring long! this creation from Narrative, a line created by Scott Emerson - head buyer for British footwear giant Kurt Geiger, infuses street style with traditional footwear. notice the traditional oxford with the perforated ice gray leather. hawtness!

$235, narrative shoes available at Bloomingdales (212) 705-2000.