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Shoe designing debuts on the fashion scene

November 27, 2007
While fashion designers are a dime-a-dozen on the Indian clothing scene, shoe designing is a relatively new trend. Here's a look at footwear from the only shoe designer to showcase her work at Lakme Fashion Week Spring/Summer '08, Swati Mehrotra -- her label is called 'Swati Modo'. Seen here is a pair of ethnic stone-studded sandals. Very peacock-inspired, the design combines striking blue and pink tones and sports a little heel.
Photographs courtesy: Crosshairs Communication

http://specials.rediff.com/getahead/2007/nov/27slide1.htm

SWATIMODO in Womens Era november second issue!!

Ps:the yellow shaded part in both the images!!click on image for larger readable view!!!

shoe stopper....Indian express thursday,november 15!

...Shoe Stopper

Paromita Chakrabarti

Thursday , November 15, 2007 at 12:00:00Updated: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 11:08:25

What do you do when you want to sweep your girlfriend off her feet with a one-of-a-kind kiss-and-make-up? Or preserve an outgrown piece of tweed suit that your loved one had gifted you? Well, if you are well heeled, you can walk up to footwear designer Swati Mehrotra. When one of her customers wanted to woo his girl with a pair of shoes that would have their love story hugging her feet, Mehrotra came up with the perfect solution. She created flat shoes with buckles that showed a couple in embrace. When another customer wanted her help with that old suit, she made him a neat pair of formal shoes out of it. Customised tees and mugs are commonplace, but now 22-year-old Mehrotra is going a step further with her brand Swati Modo, where personal tales are translated into fantastic clogs.
The going has been good for the designer from Bareilly, who recently shifted base to Delhi. Her leather designs found their way to the international footwear exhibition at Garda, Milan, while at home she worked with designers Ashima-Leena for their fashion week collection. But Mehrotra is keener on bespoke work rather than corporate tie-ups. “A collaboration with a big company will probably be more profitable, but it will take away the exclusivity of my products. Besides, I enjoy the challenge of working with diverse mediums as well as diverse people,” she says.
How did she step into footwear designing? “When I was a kid my dad always made sure that I brushed my school shoes every day because a person’s character, he said, was often judged by the shoes they wore. It kind of stayed with me,” she laughs. So after dabbling in painting for a while, she decided to take her feet fetish seriously and signed up for a degree course at the Footwear Design and Development Institute, Noida, at the end of which she set up her studio-cum-workshop at Ghaziabad.
So far, the orders have ranged from funny to outrageous. One customer wanted a shoe made out of an old school bag he was rather attached to while for another she worked with a flat tyre to come up with the perfect piece of sport shoes. There’s always the regular dose of mush — like the couple who wanted their wedding photographs on sandals. “Each customer has a story to tell, so the entire process is like an interactive storyboard,” says Mehrotra, who counts former Miss India Lisa Verma among her clients.
Besides fancy customisation, Mehrotra also makes shoes for people suffering from foot disabilities. “I had a customer whose left foot was size nine, and the right children’s size. He wanted something that would be comfortable but not conspicuous. So, we worked in a way that ensured that the shoes looked just perfect besides being a comfortable fit,” she says.
The price for a pair of Modos is not too forbidding. The basic pair begins at Rs 1,500. “But there is no upper limit because it depends on the customer and what he or she wants,” says Mehrotra. If you can foot the bill, get set for some leg action.

SWATIMODO in FPJ weekend mumbai!!

SWATIMODO collection at LFW

Flat ballerina......soft and comfy!!!

Roman sandal...!!for dat chick raw look!!

Falling slouchy boot!!!

TOP 10 COLLECTIONS AT LFW

As Lakme Fashion Week draws to a close, it's time to talk about the big guns, those wonders who need no surname, says JASMEEN DUGAL. Did Manish Malhotra's finale showing ultimately please? Did Sabyasachi and Narendra Kumar meet expectations? And what did Arjun Khanna have up his sleeve? Check out our take on the Top 10 collections…

Lecoanet Hemant pay tribute to the beauty and glamour that lives on in Bombay through this unique architecture and lifestyle that comes with it and says: "Bonjour Bombay!" To see the collection is to believe it — it's subtly luxurious, with beautiful colors and quality. Definitely the highest point of Lakme Fashion Week!


The words "classic with a modern twist" might be the most overused phrase in fashion. But it also may be the only way to describe Nikasha's collection. Nikasha Tawadey indulged her love affair with Indian weaves with formfitting ensembles that shimmied down to a cascade of silk, mul-mul, jamdani, satin, chiffon, georgette, and viscose silk embellished with kutchi and kantha work.


The collection clearly referenced the past—an ode to the 60's mini—but it wasn't mired in it. Araiya steered it in the direction of tulip minis and the occasional slender bubble skirt in a sober palette offset by metallics. Tiny epaulettes appeared at the hem of a minidress, satin sleeves were added on to an otherwise matte dress, and metallic contrast fabrics were added as yokes or sleeves.


Arjun Khanna put on a real show, transporting his audiences from the runway to the land of the Yao tribe. The showing opened with monks lining the catwalk as models showcased ceremonial sherwanis, kurtas, flowing pants, tunics, waistcoats, and bandhgalas. Conventional volumes and proportions were done away with. Bandhgalas—Arjun's signature—were reconfigured in double and single breast versions. Sherwanis featuring colourful touches of the Yao priests, indigo blue of the hemp, and circular motifs reflected the theme. Brocades, silks and velvets were embellished with zardozi, bead, and stonework in addition to minute detailing like jewelled hemlines and collars, contrast facing for the plackets, wide ornate cuffs, and floral multi-embroidery.We noted that despite the rarefied atmosphere, the collection "more than lived up to any heightened expectations," taking spring trends and making them feel classic.


Shane and Falguni Peacock aren't couturiers to hammer on high concepts or political subtexts. Come the next round of red-carpet events and one expect to see the ladies competing for their collection. The duo has produced several options for any event at which a girl might find herself in need of scintillating eveningwear. They have all the bases covered—including a draped empire silk gown, low-back styles, and flowing asymmetries of Chantilly lace, animal prints, and florescent colours that will photograph well from any angle.


Sabyasachi balanced the bridal season's strong fashion with equally bold beauty. Grown-up glamour—elegant hairdos, crimson lips, and precision-lined eyes—were the perfect complement to the runway filled with shararas, lehengas, angarkhas, kurtis, waist coats with shawl lapels, dupattas and odhnas, shimmering pajamas, and saris. Though kurta silhouettes revived the vintage glamour of the Mughal era, Sabyasachi neatly avoided the dusty vintage pitfall. Pants—printed and fluid—were teamed with lean kurtas or Rajasthan blouses. The finale—a black multi-paneled silk lehenga with glittering embroidery worn with a shimmering blouse and odhani—was the ultimate bridal offering.


From the opening creation of a cowl-neck paneled dress in satin with Turkmenistan prints and Ikat on Lurex panels; it was a look that would appeal to western buyers. Prints have always been Anupama Dayal's forte and here she narrates a geometric story inspired by the traditional weaves of Uzbekistan, Turkey, Laos, and India. Her take on sexy is more than a bared back or an exposed front. The best, a maize Ikat-printed dress with wooden rings and patent leather patches, and another, a flame and grey dress in knit with contrast banana satin shoulder ties, had enough presence to go anywhere.


Giant alphabets emerged from among the audience and the stage was set for a study in fashion from Narendra Kumar in his 'Freedom from Illiteracy' line. That's where the collection went, but via the Seventies route. That meant voluminous high-waist trousers, trapeze blouse silhouettes, kaftans, minis, and tunics embellished with alphabets. The standout was a yellow net gown worn over a crinoline detailed with 3D alphabets on the skirt and an "institute" print corset. The neo-flower child might also consider dipping into the silver mini, ecru line, or cotton outfits embellished with intricate fabric folds on the hemline, neck, or shoulders.


Vineet Bahl's 'Lemonade' gave a whole new dimension to the word refreshment. The progression of the first garment to the last that hit the catwalk was done in a symphony that can only be reflected in spring itself, and spoke of Vineet's consistency. The right word to sum it up would be, simply, breathtaking. Fluidity and simplicity were fused with detailing in the form of pleats, cutwork and multi-dimensional embroidery, creating a pleasant, vivacious collection.


The downright mad footwear by Swati Modo!

SOURCE:STYLECANDY.COM

SWATIMODO in MIDDAY

Top Trends in Winter Boots for Women 2007 & 2008

When it comes to winter boots for the 2007 - 2008 season, women have loads of options. Booties, ankle boots and knee-high boots are all hot, and no matter what you're heel preference is, there's plenty of variety. Here are some of the hottest trends to look for.

Winter Boots with Fluffy Collars: Ankle, mid-calf, and knee-high boots can all be found with fluffy collars this season. From faux fur to shearling, and lots of fluff to bits of fluff, it's definitely the season for luxurious trim.White Boots: Who said you can't wear white after Labor Day? It certainly wasn't me. I think winter and white go together like winter and snow -- and apparently, I'm not the only one.

This season, there are loads of winter boot styles available in white. From fashionable snow-bunnyesque styles, to boots for seriously cold weather -- I'm loving it.Belted Winter Boots: Look for belts, laces, ties, wraps and other strappy things wrapped around your boots, they're hot! And you can find them on everything from urban styles with flat heels, to high heel stunners.Lace-Up Boots: With styles ranging from those inspired by the Victorian era to edgy urban casuals, there's no shortage of lace-up boots this season. In addition to making the boot easier to get on and off, laces add a bit of pop to even the simplest of winter boots.

ALL YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT BOOTS!

How do you know if those knee-high boots you saw on that web site will fit your calves? If you're tall, will they be knee-highs or calf-highs? And what exactly is the shaft of a boot?


Some of the more common boot terms are defined below, and I've also included a few measuring tips to help you find exactly the boots you're looking for.

Boot Shaft:
This is the part of the boot that covers the leg.

Shaft Height:
This measurement is taken on the inside seam of the boot, and is measured from where the shaft meets to sole of the boot, to the top of the shaft. To determine where the top of a boot will hit on your leg, measure the height of the shaft against the inside of your leg, starting at your instep.

Circumference:
This is the measurement around widest part of the shaft of the boot.To see if tall boots will fit your calves, measure around the widest part of your calf, and compare your measurement to the shaft circumference.


Goring:
Many boots have elastic bits built in. These pieces are called "goring." Sometimes goring is used on both sides of a boot or shoe, and sometimes only on one side. Since elastic stretches, well-placed goring will make boots easier to pull on and off.


Pull on Boots:
These boots have no zippers, laces or other means of closure, they're simply pulled on and off.Pull-on boots will sometimes have tabs to aid in getting them on and off, and many times will feature goring as well.When putting on tall pull-on boots, it's easiest to scrunch the shaft of the boot down, and insert your foot into the bottom of the boot -- the same way you put on socks or hose. Pull on boots are sometimes problematic for people with high arches to get on.

Zipper Boots:
As one would expect, these boots have zippers, usually on the inseam. It's a good idea to pay attention to how long the zipper is -- especially with taller boots. A boot with a long zipper will be easiest to get on and off.

Lace-Up Boots:
Very easy to get on and off, lace-up boots are incredibly popular, as the laces also add a bit of decoration to the boots.Unless the laces are merely decorative (in which case, they'll sometimes be on the back of the boot), they're usually placed on the front or outside.

Stretch Boots:
With uppers made from stretchy or elasticized materials, stretch boots are especially popular with people who have wider calfs or very shapely legs, as the boots will stretch to fit the wider parts.It is still important to look for a shaft circumference that is fairly close to the widest part of your calf. You don't want boots that have to stretch too much, as tight boots are uncomfortable, and far less flattering than those that fit well.


(source:about.com)

What to Wear with Ankle Boots

In all honesty, ankle boots are probably my least favorite style of women's footwear. It's not that I dislike ankle boots for what they are, it's more that I dislike how they're worn -- which is often in the most unflattering way possible. I blame the media. Okay, that's a cop out, and technically, I am part of the media, so I guess that statement needs a little clarification. What I mean to say is that what we see on the runways and in fashion magazines does not always translate well for our own bodies and lives. For example, ankle boots with cropped leggings or shorter tights is a definite "don't" for women who have shapely calves. Even women who are on the thin side have to be careful as the combination seems to chop inches off your height while adding bulk to your legs.


Ankle Boots with Long Skirts
Whether they're flat or heeled, ankle boots and long skirts are a classic combination. While I personally prefer to pair them with a long skirt that is on the fuller side, I've also seen ankle boots paired fairly successfully with long skirts that are more narrow. Whichever style you prefer, the key is to show no leg. If the skirt isn't long enough to cover the top of the ankle boot on its own, add a pair of tights.

Short Skirts and Ankle Boots
This look is definitely a little more difficult to pull off, because a lot of women don't like their legs. But it works well because instead of showing no leg, you're showing a lot of leg -- the real trouble comes in when you only show a little leg. Look for skirts that are a couple of inches above the knee or shorter and skip anything that's too full, lest your outfit start to like a figure skating costume.

The Best Pants for Ankle Boots
This one is nearly a no-brainer -- ankle boots work with any kind of pants. The advantage to wearing them over shoes or taller boots is that you get ankle coverage without the bulk of a knee-high boot. But -- and this is a big "but" -- the only pants that work well tucked into ankle boots are very tight ones. Wide-legged pants tucked into short boots create a very unflattering balloon effect.

Ankle Boots with Leggings or Tights
I mentioned before that cropped leggings don't work well with ankle boots. Long leggings or tights however, look great -- assuming of course, that leggings look good on you in the first place. If they don't, pairing them with ankle boots isn't going to make the situation any better.

Clothes to Avoid Wearing with Ankle Boots
Cropped Pants
Cropped Tights
Mid-Length Skirts with Bare Legs
Pencil Skirts
Shorts
Capris

Fashion Footwear designs making strong impact in the Wiils Lifestyle india Fashion Week

With the ongoing success of the Lakme Fashion Week, Spring Summer 08, it was great to see some known faces and what thrilled the fashion fraternity were the new faces that put up an excellent show. The show turned out to be a great attraction with footwear making equal contribution along with garment and accessories. Ashima & Leena Singh displayed their unique, distinctive and original style and traditional appeal in their collections. Swati Mehrotra, young and dynamic fashion footwear designer from Delhi, exhibited some remarkable potential with her handmade custom designed footwear brand “ Swatimodo ” Swati was brilliant with her use of leather, feather, threads, metals, fabric, and stones in her footwear. It was both creative and mesmerizing.


There appeared to be a tremendous chemistry going between Swati and Ashima-Leena. Together, they came out with some exclusive work. Theme resonance by Ashima-Leena in her latest collection for spring summer08 was amazingly portrayed in the shoes from Swatimodo. The traditional wooden soles with modern color straps showcased incredible contrast between tradition and modernity. The espredils looked amazing with kimonos and rekindled the Japanese art form. Flat soles with a detachable welcro toe were used in different colors with the garments. Platform wooden wedge soles with strap all over from toe to back and till ankle with bright metallic (silver peuter and bronze) combination. Garments were inspired from Japanese and Turkish and the footwear included the similar touch playing only with the wooden soles through the thin straps in all designs.



Known experts, critics and celebrities from the fashion industry were present in the show. They acknowledged that the fashion industry is reaching new heights. Swati’s work was acknowledged and some of her footwear received special remarks for creative design and international look. With talents like Swati Mehrotra putting up great shows, it is quite apparent that Indian fashion Industry is taking a sharp turn.

wifw 2007 swatimodo on ramp....with ashima leena collection

SWATIMODO..in bindaasdaily.com!!!

Fresh Fashion



You’re always on a look out for new independent designers. And why not, they design stuff that’s sassy, creative and fresh enough not be in every second closet. That’s exactly what these four designers are putting up in an exhibition.


On display would be Swati Modo’s shoes. If you still haven’t grabbed them, now can be a good time to take a step in the right direction! Her pairs are distinctly sophisticated and fit to themes like Casino, Taj, etc. You can team these with Rashmi Khaitan’s totes. She has designed stylish bags for every occasion that can easily stand out in a crowd.
Look out for classy waist jackets from Priyanka Awal’s creations. The fourth designer, Roopal Awal’s line is fusion-inspired with hand embroidery and pretty embellishments in her designs.
The display is sure to impress you, especially if you are allergic to shelling out Rs. 15,000 for a shoe. And to dull old ideas.


Location: HS27- Kailash Colony Market Phone: Swati Mehrotra – 9310 111 436, Priyanka Awal – 9971 254 222, Rashmi Khaitan – 9903 502 707, Roopal Awal – 9719 7111 00Price: starting with: Rashmi Khaitan’s bags Rs. 800, Priyanka Awal’s jackets Rs. 2000, Swati Modo’s shoes Rs. 1500Timings: 10:00am to 7:00pm on 24, 25 and 26 August 2007

What to Wear with Ankle Boots

In all honesty, ankle boots are probably my least favorite style of women's footwear. It's not that I dislike ankle boots for what they are, it's more that I dislike how they're worn -- which is often in the most unflattering way possible. I blame the media. Okay, that's a cop out, and technically, I am part of the media, so I guess that statement needs a little clarification. What I mean to say is that what we see on the runways and in fashion magazines does not always translate well for our own bodies and lives. For example, ankle boots with cropped leggings or shorter tights is a definite "don't" for women who have shapely calves. Even women who are on the thin side have to be careful as the combination seems to chop inches off your height while adding bulk to your legs. So what should you wear with ankle boots? I'm so glad you asked.



Here are a few of my favorite combinations.
Ankle Boots with Long SkirtsWhether they're flat or heeled, ankle boots and long skirts are a classic combination. While I personally prefer to pair them with a long skirt that is on the fuller side, I've also seen ankle boots paired fairly successfully with long skirts that are more narrow. Whichever style you prefer, the key is to show no leg. If the skirt isn't long enough to cover the top of the ankle boot on its own, add a pair of tights.
Short Skirts and Ankle BootsThis look is definitely a little more difficult to pull off, because a lot of women don't like their legs. But it works well because instead of showing no leg, you're showing a lot of leg -- the real trouble comes in when you only show a little leg. Look for skirts that are a couple of inches above the knee or shorter and skip anything that's too full, lest your outfit start to like a figure skating costume.


The Best Pants for Ankle BootsThis one is nearly a no-brainer -- ankle boots work with any kind of pants.
The advantage to wearing them over shoes or taller boots is that you get ankle coverage without the bulk of a knee-high boot. But -- and this is a big "but" -- the only pants that work well tucked into ankle boots are very tight ones.
Wide-legged pants tucked into short boots create a very unflattering balloon effect.
Ankle Boots with Leggings or TightsI mentioned before that cropped leggings don't work well with ankle boots. Long leggings or tights however, look great -- assuming of course, that leggings look good on you in the first place.
if they don't, pairing them with ankle boots isn't going to make the situation any better.



Clothes to Avoid Wearing with Ankle Boots

Cropped Pants
Cropped Tights
Mid-Length Skirts with Bare Legs
Pencil Skirts
Shorts
Capris

Types Of Shoes For Different Style Dresses

Sandals are high heeled, strappy shoes that have no fully closed area. Open toe shoes have all closed areas except for a small opening at the very front of the shoes (like a pump with an open front) or a sling back with an open toe.Open toes shoes are more popular this year, and you can find them in abundance, but every designer is also making the more classic dressy, black-tie pumps as well. You can wear open-toed shoes with hose so long as the hose have a sheer toe. It is sandals that you should not wear with hose but the open toed shoes can certainly be worn with sandal foot hose! Sandals are high heeled, strappy shoes that have no fully closed area. Open toe shoes have all closed areas except for a small opening at the very front of the shoes (like a pump with an open front) or a sling back with an open toe.Silver purse and shoes are the best unless the jewelry includes yellow gold.Wear sandals and not shoes with any a dress that has short sleeves and is an empire waist.You can wear a variety of different shoe colors with a plum or maroon dress. First suggestion would be to wear sandals - something with a high heel and definitely strappy. You can always wear black sandals! Metallic, bronze, silver or gold are also a good choice. Make sure to coordinate your jewelry. Silver sandals would be terrific if you wear white gold or sterling jewelry. Also, match your handbag to the shoes.You should wear matching burgundy satin pumps with burgundy colored dress. You can go to a formal shoe store, buy them white, and have them died perfectly to your dress. As for outerwear, I suggest a satin cape or shawl. It should be burgundy or black to balance your outfit. You can line the cape or shawl with a wool shawl for additional warmth.As wild as orange sandals sound, picture them with a beige dress, a white dress, a camel dress, black, tan, brown, cream. Even navy!! Think of a print that incorporates some orange or just all different shades of neutrals.Wear black satin high heeled sandals and carry a black satin purse...either clutch or small handled or shoulder strapped (strap must be satin too)purse with black tie style dress. Ideally, you’d be wearing diamonds with this too!No! No! No! Socks and heels do not go together. You could try sheer knee highs or even tights if you are cold, but with jeans and heels. If you wear boots you could wear socks, that is ok to do.Denim skirts in the winter can be worn with boots, either Ugg-style boots for a very casual, comfy look or high leather boots with a chunky stacked heel that is so popular this year. If you don’t like the boot idea then you can wear either flats (ballet style is very cute) or casual heels, something on the chunkier side since sleek pumps would look like a mismatch with a denim skirt....

SWATIMODO..in bindaasdaily.com!!!

Heart and Sole
Rating: 4.50/2


You can’t wait to show off your new shoes, so you hit the pub! And why not, you’ve spent big moolah and you got the right!
But what happens when some Ms. Goody two shoes greets you with the same pair on? Oh! How you detest dumb, mass production.
Swati Modo collection can be a way out to all your woes! This charming cobbler, Swati Mehrotra, is a young designer who customizes and doesn’t believe in assembly lines. Each pair has a unique story to tell and fits to a peculiar theme.
She has her own eccentric twists and so Rainfall at Taj becomes an inspiration to a white long boot, ornate with fine embroidery and brocade on top. Full points to you if you can make out a real fish from her jazzy, copper mule variation, with black leather scales. When the stakes are high, try her court shoe, a winning bet from the Casino line!
Slip them on and you’ll be setting a trend. What’s more, it would be uniquely yours!

SWATI MODO by Swati Mehrotra

Location: House No.365, Sector 14, Vasundhara Yojna, Ghaziabad

Phone: 9310 111 436

Email: swatimodo@gmail.com

Pricing: Rs. 1,500 and up (depends on the design, and material used)

Print Share this Item Add to My Archive Rate It I Suggest Comments

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pressure points in your feet!!!

What to Wear with Ballerina Flats!!

It used to be that ballerina flats were what they sounded like - flat shoes that looked like ballet slippers. And in the strictest sense of the term, that definition is still correct. But now you can find everything from sneakers to evening shoes that are inspired by ballet slippers, and hence could be called ballerina flats. Being heelless, ballerina flats have a tendency to make ones legs appear shorter, so petite women may want to steer clear, or pair them with a shorter skirt, extending the amount of leg that is shown. Because of this same quality, skimmers are especially great on women of medium height or taller. Ballerina flats with satin or embellished uppers can seem especially dressy and elegant, while leather skimmers are a bit more casual and are great for pairing with jeans and shorts.
f you're looking for a fun, sporty look, a casual canvas skimmer is adorable with capris, shorts and short denim skirts.


What to Wear with Ballerina Flats
Capri Pants...

Leggings
Shorts
Skirts with hemline at or above the knee.
Apparel to Avoid
Pants that are too long.
Pleated pants with narrow legs. This will make your mid section appear bigger, while making your legs seem shorter.

Wearing ballet flats with longer skirts and dresses can create a romanticly feminine silhouette, but will make short women appear shorter.

Wedges - What to Wear with Wedge Heeled Shoes

Ranging from casual to elegant, wedges come in all styles and heights.

While wedge heels are an extremely fashionable and versatile choice in women's footwear, they won't look great on everyone, or with every outfit -- and like any shoe style, they have their pros and cons.

What Exactly is a Wedge Heel?

On most shoes, the "heel" sits under only the heel of the foot, but a wedge heel runs under the foot, from the back of the shoe to the middle or front.

As you've probably guessed, it has a wedge shape, but not all wedges are high heels. In fact, wedge heels range from low to high, it's the shape and the length of the heel that classify it as a wedge.

Advantages of Wedge Heels:

• These shoes add height, but are easier to walk in than stilettos.
  
  
• Wedges have a very cosmopolitan look to them - they're worldly and sophisticated.
  
  
• A wedge heel looks great with nearly any length skirt or dress.
  
  
• Wedge heels, by nature, are a fashionable choice - by just choosing to wear them, you up your fashion quotient.
  
  
• Wedges will add definition and shape to heavy ankles, making them appear thinner.

Cons of Wedges:

• Wedge heels are still heels, with all their pitfalls. Don't be fooled into thinking you can run a marathon in them.
  
  
• Wedges can look a little clunky, especially when paired with very tight-fitting clothing.
  
  
• This style tends to seem a bit on the casual side. While there are dressier styles of wedges, finding a truly elegant one can be a bit difficult.
  
  
• A thick wedge heel will make really skinny ankles appear even thinner.

Hot with:

• Flowing skirts
  
• Bohemian styles
  
• Thin, gauzy fabrics
  
• Wrap dresses
  
• Wide or flared jeans or pants
  
• Gauchos

Not with:

• Pencil skirts
  
• Capris
  
• Pants with narrow or straight legs

ways to beautiful feet!!

Treating Rough, Dry and Cracked Heels

Several factors can contribute to dry heels including climate, excess weight and going barefoot, but however you got them, nothing can ruin a pair of sexy sandals more than rough, cracked heels। Fortunately, they're not too difficult to deal with - here is the method I used for clearing up my own dry heels

• First think to do is drink lots of water to keep the skin hydrate. It will keep your skin soft and supple and skin will not get as dry to get cuts and cracks.

• Always wash your feet properly whenever you come from outside. Sleep after washing your feet.

• Soak your feet in lukewarm water with a little soap in it. It will loosen the tight dead skin from your soles and heels.

• Use foot scrubber to scrub the dead skin and brush away the dead skin with a small brush meant for feet.

• Rubbing pumic stone too is helpful in clearing the dead dull skin.

• Wipe your feet and massage foot cream on them. You can even apply petroleum jelly or your daily body lotion on your feet.

• Always keep the nails cut and well shaped.

• If you are already getting cracked heels on your feet then regularly scrub away the dead skin and apply foot cream, which is made for cracked heels. Such creams are easily available at any chemist store.

• Best way to soften the hard skin on heels and reduce the cracks is soaking feet in Luke warm water for 5-10 minutes then scrubbing the dead skin and then applying the foot cream on the heels before going to bead. Then wear cotton soaks on your feet throughout the night that way skin will absorb the moister and the cracks of the heels will heal faster.

• If your cracked heels are really bad and giving you pain then try this remedy to heal them. Melt paraffin wax and mix it with a little coconut oil. Fill this mixture into your cracked heels while going to bed. Wash it off in the morning. Filling this wax in your cracks for at least 10 days will fill the gap a lot and pain will be very less.

• To avoid foot pain wear shoes, which are right, size for your feet. Tight or loose shoes create problems for the feet. You should go to buy new shoes in the evening because that is the time when there is water retention in the body and you will come to know the exact size of your feet.

• You can spray foot spray or powder in your shoes while putting your feet in.

• Never wear shoes in wet legs and never wear wet socks.

• Do not cut or itch if you get athlete's foot or some other skin problem in your feet or between your toes. Seek medical help and keep hygiene.

• Rubbing onion oil on the skin rashes and itches is quite helpful.

• To avoid the cracks of your heels keep scrubbing the dead hard skin regularly and keep applying moisturizers or petroleum jelly to your feet, which will prevent your heels from getting cracks.

• If there is pain in your feet then soak them in hot water with salt added to it and alter the feet in cold water. Doing this therapy for half and hour improves the blood circulation and relieves the pain.

• Massage the feet and put pressure on the points.

• Walk on the grass barefoot early morning. It rejuvenates the feet and improves the eyesight.

• Do not wear uncomfortable shoes just to show. Wear the shoes you are comfortable in. avoid wearing tight shoes and high heels if there is pain in your feet.

Cracks in the heels occur due to the dryness of the skin. Our palms and feet are the area where skin produces no oil so they are usually dry. We need to feed them moister by applying sufficient moister on them. While the skin of the palms is soft, the skin of the feet is hard so it requires more care. If regular cleaning of the skin has been done by removing the dead skin, there are very few chances to get cracked heels. Still if you get cracked heels even after scrubbing the dead skin and applying moisturizers, then do not ignore the first sign of cracks that are fine lines on the heels.

As soon as you see them start applying crack creams on your heels and drink lots of water. If there is dryness in your body, it will show off on your skin. Drinking water is the best way to keep the skin moist.

SWATIMODO MAKING NEWS!!!

SWATIMODO in fnl from images media......
(click on image to enlarge)

SWATIMODO in HT city!!!

SWATIMODO in HTcity!!!(code red and sole pleasure)

code red:designed exclusively for Ex miss India Mrs. Liza Varma and sole pleasure is a boot inspired from eternal love TAJ MAHAL!!!!

chk latest collection at:

ttp://picasaweb.google.com/data/feed/base/user/shoe.maestro@gmail.com

SWATIMODO ON INDIATIMES!!

Gen Y's new writing on the wall

Deepti Malhotra
Having long said goodbye to babudom , Generation Y are living their dreams like never before. They are soaring higher and far away from anything that is run-of-the-mill. A career is no longer about just security. It’s about excitement, adventure, passion, satisfaction, moolah and a lot more!

Yes, who doesn’t want the buck rolling their way, but it need not be from a mundane 9-to-5 job that does absolutely nothing for your salvation. Till some time back the pendulum was swaying the other way. Youngsters still had the yearning for conventional careers like civil services, engineering, medicine, law and the likes. They would burn the midnight oil preparing for exams and spend their youthful years just appearing, re-appearing and clearing them. Parents too loved to show off their ‘well placed’ sons and daughters, whose degrees made them even more eligible for a good marriage proposal. After a while, MBA and IT also became the first and final stop for most career seekers. And the “MBA from an IIM” tag even had many aunts and uncles raising their eyebrows in appreciation. But the writing on the wall is now being rewritten with a new ink, which says it out loud - ‘dare to be different’. Follow the herd? No way! God made everyone unique and Generation Y strongly believes and follows this dictate. Never follow the crowd but set your own path is what most of these rebels with a cause feel, not just about the way they dress or behave but now increasingly about the professions they choose. “Every third person is an MBA, I wanted to be unique”, says Vipul Arora, all of 18 years old and a radio jockey who hosts the morning show ‘Tea Stall’ on Radio Mantra. Being a commerce graduate and having a mother who is a teacher did not deter this young gun from following his dreams. For Arora, high pay packets that his MBA degree would have gotten him didn’t sound half as exciting as talking on the radio.

But if you think it’s only the guys who want to cut an edge, think again. Girls are fast joining and in some cases even leading this ‘I’m unique’ brigade. So believes Swati Mehrotra, a budding shoe designer. A student of commerce like Arora, and the daughter of a chartered accountant, Swati’s career path seemed to be almost cut out. But Swati went on to do something that was labeled as ‘not meant for girls’. She chose a path traditionally considered the dominion of men. Ask her why and pat comes the reply, “I wanted to do something more adventurous. I didn’t want to do fashion designing as a lot of people are already doing that.” Her priorities were clear, “fame first to be followed by money.”

All work and all play Swati and Arora are just two among the increasing number of youth turning their hobbies into professions. Some years ago if you were a doctor who loved cooking, you had to limit your cooking skills to the kitchen after work. Well, not anymore. Meet Abhijeet, medicine-student-turned-Italian chef with Westview at the Maurya Sheraton. “I really enjoyed cooking, it was my passion and so I gave up medicine which was my father’s initial choice for me and became a chef”, he says. For him, his best reward is when people finish everything on their plate. When your hobby becomes your profession, fun at work is not too far. Simbal Bhatia, DJ at ‘The Shack’ in Defence Colony, Delhi feels the same. “Music is my passion. Eighty per cent people are doing MBA or CA, I thought I’d rather do what I truly love”, he says. His family was initially, as he puts it, ‘dead against it’ and gave him only a six month timeframe to prove his mettle. But today they have accepted his dream as theirs and have no regrets whatsoever. Satisfaction guaranteed Everybody has Monday morning blues, but what if the entire week begins to seem like a Monday morning? What if you are never told if the work you do was good, bad or ugly? Worse, what if the work you do brings no change in anybody’s life, and least of all in your own? Generation Y is increasingly plagued by these thoughts as they browse the multitude of job sites and scan the yellow pages. “I didn’t want to sell credit cards all week long”, says Hassan, a copywriter with advertising agency, Mudra. A student of science, he loved to dabble with words and so chose to be a copywriter. Now handling accounts like Timesjobs.com and HBO, he feels he couldn’t have pursued a career that didn’t offer ‘creative satisfaction’. Not very different from him is Deepmala, an assistant manager, at the front office at Maurya Sheraton. “I was always more of a communications person. You’ve got to have it within you to make your guest feel at home and smile”, she says. She goes on to add that even though the money is gradual in this industry the satisfaction that you get is something else. Satisfaction + fame + money = Success Satisfaction plus fame plus a little bit of money – these are the ingredients that Generation Y is using to make the perfect recipe for success! Chef Abhijeet agrees that it is gratifying to know that his dishes make celebrities lick their fingers. Even Deepmala gushes at the thought of the who’s who of Page 3 passing by her lobby and stopping for exchanging peasantries every now and then. “It’s a lot to do with the wow factor”, she admits. DJ Simbal too agrees that it is quite flattering when women come up to him with song requests. He explains, “money means a lot to me, but so do fame and glamour”. Well it looks like Generation Y has its success mantra clearly spelt out. So be it job satisfaction, fame or fortune, when it comes to careers the youth are increasingly listening to their true calling, which is urging them to be, as they call it - different!

SWATIMODO now empannelled with NCDPD!!

SWATIMODO is now in official committee of National centre for design and development(NCDPD) where in we are now eligle to undetake even govt. projects!!!!way to go ...this is just the begining!!!

SWATIMODO at 15th DILF..

The three-day 15th annual Delhi International Leather Fair (DILF)-2007 opened at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi on 18th May 2007 & was inaugurated by Lt. Governor Tajender Khanna.

FDDI set-up the ‘Theme Pavilion’ and displayed its publications and informed about its training programmes and consultancy services through brochure and one-to-one meeting. The ‘Theme Pavilion’ was based on the trend forecast of 07-08 with an elegant look. The approach was minimilistic but impactful. The emphasis was on the latest trend spring – summer.

Under the banner of FDDI, products of micro-entrepreneurs were also displayed.

According to Mr. Rajeev Lakhara, IRS, Managing Director, FDDI, “The fair provides a forum for interaction and perfect meeting ground for buyers, leather & leather products manufacturers & components manufacturers.” He has further emphasized that the participation in the fair shall be increased by bringing more and more Indian exporters & foreign buyers at common platform. It needs a well-planned publicity & promotion campaign to make it popular & of truly international standard. The shrinking size of the fair is a matter of concern.

Lt. Governor Tajender Khanna was highly impressed by the display & the product range at the ‘Theme Pavilion’.

Under theme pavillion latest developments by SWATIMODO were also displayed.which were highly appreciated.

swati's labour of love!!

You have seen taj mahal in full moon, but ever wondered how it looks when it rains? asks Swati. It’s much more romantic more pure and full of life! It seems as if every tree every flower in its vicinity is so happy that they are dancing to their ‘full colours’! The white beauty is more visible, the carvings more clear. The love is born again. Any couple who visits this monument during such a moment will vouch for it! This is the inspiration for Swati’s rainfall at the Taj creation.

This long boot is a display of that love. The garden hand embroidered on white textile accompanied with brocade on top line, heel covered with brocade, and sole of white colour depicting Taj, a perfect combination of love and beauty.

Theme-based shoe designing is a true labour of love. It starts with the seed of an idea…the generation of idea or theme, sketching and studying of history and craftsmanship involved in the building of the Taj mahal. Then, making of model of shoe, final sketches of shoes selecting material embroidery, cutting of patterns (paper) cutting upper material. And of course embroidery of uppers, selecting heel and sole, stitching upper and lining, lasting operation ie fitting upper to last. Then attaching sole and heel finishing and lastly packing the creation.

According to Swati, making a custom made shoe is truly a work of art because

more than 100 operations go into the construction of a custom made shoe. The first and most important step is in the creation of the shoe last, a hand-carved wood or moulded plastic replica of the human foot. It alone determines the contour of the arch and how evenly the wearer's weight will be distributed throughout the foot, both of which are critical in establishing the comfort of a shoe.

A different last is needed for each shoe style, whether it's a handmade shoe or mass produced. Last making is an art that demands great skill and a trained eye for fashion.

After recording over 35 measurements from a "footprint" that shows the distribution of body weight, the artisan judges the symmetry of the toes, calibrates the height of the big toe and the contour of the instep. He also estimates how the foot will move inside the handmade shoe or boot.

The lastmaker challenge is to address all these ratios without compromising the architectural beauty of the handmade shoe design. For a heeled shoe/boot, he visualizes the heel height, then proportionately determines the size of the throat (top line of the shoe). Next the appropriate height of the shoe's quarter (height of heel back) is established: too high and it will rub the tendons; too low and the show will fail to grip the foot properly. Most critical to the fit of the shoe is the measurement of the shank curve (arch support), the area that includes the ball and instep of the foot, because this is where the body's weight fall when the foot is in motion.

Then, using the last as a guide, the patternmaker cuts out the shoe's upper and lining, bevels the edges to ensure a good fit and sews the pieces together. Next, he constructs the toe box, adds the counter- the stiffner for the shoe's back- and soaks the leather so it will easily conform to the lines of the last. A master craftsman carefully positions the upper on the last, tautly stretching it before nailing it tightly in place. The sole and heel can be attached.

In the final steps, finishers trim the welt, pair the heel, burnish the sole and add the insole lining. Last but not least, the shoe is polished and buffed - and it’s ready to wear.

Swati’s labour of love is now ready for you to wear!

starting the journey!!

Meet the diva of conceptual designer footwear

A revolution in the glamorous world of designer footwear is in the offing! Meet the young, determined, zestful and affable leader of the movement, Swati Mehrotra - the creator who's already creating waves in the world of haute designer footwear in India. With unique concepts inspired by green freshness of Nature, romantic Rainfall at Taj, Jaws and Paws of the animal kingdom , glamour of the risque Streetwalker (prostitute), the ever popular Holiday, hi-tech Gizmo and calm 'n' blue of Aqua etc, Swati is already on the way to stardom! Inspired by her father, Ajay K. Mehrotra, the youngest CA of his time and the determination to do something different with the encouragement of her teacher, Ms Huma, Swati embarked on a journey to make her mark in the world of high fashion conceptual Indian designer footwear.

Although initially more into dancing and singing, Swati was taken aback when her teacher told her that she had an artist, a designer in her. That's when she started dreaming of being a fashion designer. But soon she realised that she didn't just want to be a 'me too' fashion designer, that's when she opted for footwear designing. Got into FDDI to her pursue her dreams. Many told her that footwear designing or crudely speaking shoe designing wasn't a glamorous career and it was a man's world. She didn't lose her heart. She wanted to do something unique by not deviating from her goal to make her presence felt. Be in an arena where she will be the centre of attraction. Swati successfully completed her course and went Mumbai-wards. She exhibited her footwear concepts in JW Marriott, Mumbai. Her work was appreciated by the likes of Ila Arun and Poonam Sinha (Shatrughan Sinha’s wife) and a host of other celebrities from Bollywood and world of fashion. And now she has her own signature brand - “Swati Modo’ or Swati’s conceptual hi-fashion for the footwear world - a brand that speaks for herself and her concepts. She’s already a trendsetter...She doesn’t want to be known just as a designer, she wants to be a creator of designs who has chosen footwear as her medium of expression for the time being. A view her faculty in FDDI also endorse. One of them says in a lighter vein that while Swati was absolutely ‘brilliant with concepts and presentations’ she was ‘just about okay with technical aspects!’

Solely for the reason that the sole is actually the soul of, the centre of a human being’s standing in life. That’s why it’s so important for people to stand on their own feet! Swati is taking care of this ‘feet’, this soul of humankind. All her handcrafted creations have a concept, a thought behind them. They are not assembly-line designs, they are meticulously designed by leather technicians from Agra. No wonder, she was so different from her batch mates at FDDI. While most of her batch mates shied away from the struggle of opening a boutique and running own business, Swati has taken it up as a challenge with a passion and gusto. They settled down for safer and cushier jobs while Swati refused such lucrative offers to ‘learn footwear designing at the root’ in the footwear hub of India, Agra. She joined a company there!

keep a watch to know more on swatimodo products there s lots to come!!!!!