Il Primo Passo -for shoe addicts-

Shop Online and Save!

To celebrate the launch of our online shop, we've partnered with Daily Candy to bring you great online savings! Check us out in this week's Daily Candy Deals, and use the promo code to save 30% on everything in the web-store through Dec 11.

Check us out on StoreAdore.com

StoreAdore.com hearts Il Primo Passo. Check out what they have to say out our new webstore here.

The Il Primo Passo Online Store is Here!

We just launched our online store, and to celebrate, we are offering a 20% discount to all online shoppers through Nov. 30th. Just log on to www.ilprimopasso.com, click on shop, and then enter the code DRSOLE when you checkout to receive your discount. Happy shopping!

An Open Letter to Rachel Zoe

Dear Rachel Zoe,

I was fortunate enough to finally catch your “reality program” last night and boy, now I know what I’ve been missing.  Before I go on, I implore you to find your fabulous way over to Il Primo Passo, a boutique for shoe addicts.  Not only do we offer an outstanding selection of new and up-and-coming designer and luxury footwear, but we have an array of items that you’ll only find here at 1624 Montana Ave (that’s in Santa Monica, 90403).  Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s talk about you.

I was surprised by how quickly I was drawn into your world—and oh, how I loathe admitting it.  This was, of course, the first episode I had ever seen.  For weeks, I have been saying, “Have I seen The Rachel Zoe Project?  No, sorry, I’ve never really cared for the Muppets.”  (This is both true and false.  I never really cared for the Muppet Show, but the Great Muppet Caper is an astonishing piece of cinematic mastery.  Rent—or rather buy—this gem at your first available instant.  I’ll wait while you go visit Amazon.) 

Are you back? Okay, good. The point is, I didn’t want to give you (Rachel Zoe) a chance. I prejudged you—or rather, I was prejudiced against you.  However, when this week’s promo ran and you were crying, I thought, now’s as good a time as any to start watching.  Plus, my Tivo was already set to record The Real Black Housewives of Orange County, or whatever that new show is about rich black ladies who love nothing more than buying stuff and talking about how much money they have.  God, please make me rich and black!

Anyway, Rachel, I finally got to watch your little show and it just filled me with so much emotional stress that I can see how you’ve given yourself an ulcer (although the doctor said you didn’t have one, you still kept telling people it was an ulcer – confusing, I know).  Your slim, coffee-stained universe, though just feet from my own, is so different, so foreign … so full of racks of clothes you are “obsessed” with.  I wonder how, with all the weight of the fashion world on your emaciated shoulders, you find the strength each morning to pile on your Cartier panthers, fur vests, and Jackie-O sunglasses, and how those little twigs of yours manage to carry such an enormous handbag.

Now, I’m not a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker. Nor do I have professional training of any sort. Think of me as a Dr. Phil-type, if you will.  But darling Rachel, things have got to change.  I am concerned when you use statements like, “My uncle won the Purple Heart medal.”  It’s not a door prize; it’s a national honor.  I worry when a quiet, 10-year anniversary dinner between you and your husband includes a Bravo camera crew.  And it disturbs me that your support of “local” businesses is necessary because you believe designer boutiques are finally making their way out to this quaint village we call Los Angeles.  Oh, and please fire Taylor, she really bugs.

On a more personal note, I feel so much closer to you now that I’ve witnessed your “coming undone”.  Though it was my first time, as well as Brad’s, your ability to open yourself up so freely and bare your soul is a statement almost too transgressive for prime time cable television.  Rachel, I beg you to keep a little bit of your light for yourself.

Stay sweet my darling angel.

Xoxo,

Brent

Vote Il Primo Passo '08

We've had enough political mudslinging and Wall St. bailouts to last us all season. If you'd prefer to cast a vote for something a little less incendiary, here's your chance:

Il Primo Passo has been nominated for the best women's shoe store in LA by Fox 11 again this year. We would love it if you would click on the link below and vote for us!

http://myfoxla.cityvoter.com/contests/best-of-the-la-hotlist/2328/fashion/women-s-shoes

Find the best skinny jeans and boots combo for your body--this weekend!

Tiny Feet

This is Jane, Il Primo Passo's youngest fan. As you can see, she already has great taste in shoes. Here, she's wearing Lucy Sykes for Striderite leopard print mary-janes. These are no longer available, but we are now shodding our teensiest customers' feet with Jane-approved Tiny Toms (below).

If you aren't already familiar, Toms Shoes is a great charity that donates one pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair of their shoes sold. In the two-and-a-half years the organization has been in existence, Toms has given over 10,000 pairs of shoes to children in Argentina and 50,000 in South Africa. Tiny Toms are available here and make a great karmic gift. We carry sizes 2 through 10, which fit babies from 0-6 months up to 3-4 years.

How to Wear: Ankle Boots

The open toe bootie is a huge trend this fall, but it can be difficult to pull off. The easiest way to rock this urban look is to pair your booties with a knee (or slightly above the knee) length skirt and black opaque tights. Minidresses also look great with booties, and this is a clever way to carry your summer wardrobe into early fall. Instead of pairing a dress with flip flops or sandals, go for a bootie, and your look will be instantly updated for autumn. Our favorite booties for fall are these cool canvas-and-suede Givenchy kicks. Available here. 

How to Wear: Lucite

Lucite typically brings to mind Hollywood Blvd., pole dancers, and laughable poolside attire (like this) . But see-through accessories can look chic when worn right. The important thing to keep in mind is that when you wear an acrylic heel, the rest of your outfit shouldn’t be too revealing. Your shoulders and cleavage should stay under wraps, and Lucite usually looks best paired with skinny jeans or a knee-length pencil skirt. Right now, we’re loving these plum snakeskin Magrit pumps and the candy-colored acrylic heel. I’ll wear mine with a drape-y black cashmere sweater, my Earnest Sewn skinnies, and a chunky silver Diana Broussard bracelet. It’s an easy outfit, but the pop of color and texture in the shoes makes it interesting.  Magrit pumps available at Il Primo Passo . 1624 Montana Ave. at 17th Street. 310.828.4149. And available online soon!