Friday, July 31…Anna Wintour wears flats to a party in the Hamptons, rocks the fashion world…Christian Louboutin designs macaroon boxes for French patisserie Laduree…Five years later, Nike launches sneakers inspired by Ron Burgundy, Will Ferrell’s character in Anchorman…Déjà vu all over again: Raw natural leather is the new look for fall shoes and handbags…Designer Edmundo Castillo is on board at famous espadrille design company Castañer to re-interpret some of the brand’s classic pieces (see Castañer Espadrilles here)…Diane Kruger steps out in Christian Louboutin studded peep-toes; in response, envious blogger brainstorms new tradition of presents for Labor Day…My Fashion Life interviews Elle Accessory Designer of the Year Rupert Sanderson…Converse partners with Woolrich to create a very ugly (but waterproof!) shoe thing…Shoe designer Alexandra Neel hopes to breathe life back into the Charles Jourdan shoe brand (for a glimpse at that venerable brand’s heydey, check out today’s Daily Shoe Video).

That’s what you say every time you show up on my doorstep. The next thing you know I’m jumping over canals in three-inch heels while napalm explodes around me.

-Sydney (Alias)

Once again, Giuseppe Zanotti has proven he’s the king of sparkle — and of surprise — with the dazzling motorcycle boots from his fall 2009 collection. Knee-high black leather, bold buckles at the top and instep, and a covered square heel adorned with a plate of multi-colored Swarovski crystals: Aren’t they fantastic?

But, as fabulous as they are, it’s not always easy to build an outfit around motorcycle boots, especially ones with such eye-popping details. Our advice on what to wear with motorcycle boots:

• Keep it sleek: Sleek lines will provide the necessary balance to the chunkiness of the boots. Pair them with skinny jeans or with tights and shorts or a mini.
• Keep it soft: Include a feminine element in your ensemble — for example, pair a soft wrap sweater with your jeans — to counteract the aggressiveness of the boot.
• Keep it simple: The motorcycle boot is the star of your outfit; keep the rest of your look simple and fuss-free.

You can pre-order the Giuseppe Zanotti motorcycle boots at Bergdorf Goodman (they’re due in 9/7/09), for $1,745.

If crystal-encrusted motorcycle boots aren’t your thing, check out the other great motorcycle boots below.

If you feel like teasing this hockey player about an obsession of his that you might think is a little unusual, go right ahead. Just know that you may get your ass kicked by a very expensive pair of shoes — and that they’ll probably match both my belt and my shirt.

-Fashion-obsessed NHL player Sean Avery

I loved shoes. I loved shoe stores. My devotion to shoes — and that’s an understatement — has only grown throughout the years. And I can say without equivocation that’s primarily true because of Mr. Manolo Blahnik.

-Sarah Jessica Parker

A man hasn’t got a corner on virtue just because his shoes are shined.

-Anne Petry