Talk to any fashionista who isn’t all about skintight, let’s-show-all-the-curves Versace, and she’s likely to have an appreciation for those not so hanger friendly pieces that come alive on the body, boho accessories,
and Marni‘s fab pencil pants. Set to have the ladies aflutter, the label launched a virtual store last week, marking access women will love.

It’s still considered news when a significant fashion house takes its wares to the Internet, and Marni’s virtual store gives
more access to customers, who can now purchase hard-to-find products directly from the brand. Powered by the new round of
online energy led by Net-a-porter and Yoox (which runs the Marni site), many brands are shoring up their virtual platforms, resulting in more direct contact with customers
and extending their retail networks by bringing the world to them instead of staking a flag at multiple addresses.

Marni sells its selection by moods — essentially little groups of frocks, coats, tops, jackets, bags, and shoes that are styled
together and outline the label’s key themes for each season. The label has launched service in Europe and the US, and Japan
and the rest of the world are soon to follow. What’s not available online can be tracked down at Marni stores worldwide. For
now the selection is only for women, but we’re hoping to see the fab accessories for men online soon.

Diego Dolcini

Diego Dolcini, the Naples-born, Bologna-based Italian shoe designer known for his sexy collaborations with Bruno Magli, Emilio Pucci, and Dolce & Gabbana, for his reign as Creative Director for men’s and women’s shoes at Gucci, and for his own Dolcini line, has now turned his discerning eye for design detail to one of the most-loved American shoe
styles: the Dr.
Scholl’s sandal. Created as an "exercise" sandal by Dr. Willam Scholl in 1968, this classic American shoe features a raised
toe crest to encourage foot gripping, which creates a shapely leg — suitable for the miniskirt trend that captured America’s
fascination at the time. Other instantly recognizable features are the wooden sole and the ubiquitous adjustable buckle.

Dolcini, who has a degree in architectural studies, has completely re-imagined the structure of the Dr. Scholl‘s sandal. From the English shearling, crocodile, and Nappa calf- and lambskin uppers to the dyed wooden heels now revamped
for a refined feminine shape, to the modernized buckle in rhodium-plated stainless brass, Dolcini has injected the sexy spirit
for which he is known into every last construction. Even the logo has been shortened to simply "Scholl," and has been reset
in a modern, straightforward font. Translating the formula that has attracted Hollywood stars from Madonna to Nicole Kidman,
Dolcini has made this "wellness sandal" a must-have prescription. The new styles launch in Milan during fashion week and will
hit yet-to-be-determined stores this spring.
-Jason Campbell and Meghan Cleary

Photos:
1-3 Marni a/w ’06-’07 available on www.marni.com
4-5 Dr. Scholl’s by Diego Dolcini