BIRTHDAY GIRL! Pink Leopard Print Platform Mary Janes!
Last Monday, Yumna & I met in the park so we could document not only my latest outfit, but my newest creation!
![BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling! BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling!](/images/10/10/birthdaygirl.jpg)
Yes, it’s true! I can now add “shoe designer” to my eclectic résumé! I designed my first pair of shoes last month — bright pink leopard print platform Mary Janes — & I named them BIRTHDAY GIRL!
So, how did I become a shoe designer? By collaborating with Jeff Silverman! They contacted me about a month ago to see if I would be interested in designing my own shoes. OF COURSE I was!
Those of you who were at Evolving Influence probably noticed that Jeff Silverman was a sponsor of the conference, & that they had a booth where they seemed intent on teasing girls by showing them how easy it could be to design their own shoes. It was actually at Evolving Influence that I finally met Matthew (who I had been communicating with) & saw the prototype of my shoes!
The design process was really simple — all you need is an idea. I started off by sending them a combination of photos & fabric swatches, with arrows drawn all over them & crazy notes. (“Thicker strap, silver hardware, 5″ platform” etc.!)
My thinking behind the design of the BIRTHDAY GIRL heels was that I wanted something that looked incredible — with high impact & mega “wow” factor — but was also really easy to wear. I always think there’s no sense in having amazing shoes if you can’t really wear them. So, while these may look high, they actually have a nice wide heel to keep you stable, & a platform for comfort while you walk. I also wanted them in a Mary Jane style, because a strap across the foot means your shoe is secure! It drives me crazy when your foot slips out of the back of a heel — you can’t run in something like that!
![BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling! BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling!](/images/10/10/ydimple.jpg)
![BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling! BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling!](/images/10/10/y8.jpg)
I love these shoes so much! Words cannot explain!
I didn’t even tell you the best bit yet! I’ve partnered up with Jeff Silverman to make BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes available right here through galadarling.com!
I am SO EXCITED!
The facts:
BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes are $100 US per pair.
They have an all leather inner, a bright pink rubber sole (for non-slip fabulousness!), & a pony hair outer.
The heel is 5″ high & there’s a 1″ hidden platform inside.
They fit TRUE TO SIZE & are average width!
The shoes are made to order & the length of time between purchase & wear is approximately one week. The fact that they are made on demand is one way we are able to keep costs down!
More information:
We can ship ANYWHERE!
They are available in sizes 4 through 12! Hallelujah!
Yes, they are comfortable, & the quality is excellent! (I wouldn’t put my name on them if these two things weren’t up to scratch!)
Yes, I get a kickback from each pair sold! ($20, if you’re interested!)
Yes, you can return unworn shoes within 30 days for a full refund!
They come with a GALA DARLING label sewn inside, & inside a GALA DARLING shoe box. (!!!!!!!)
Yes, in these you will be the most magical girl on the block!
![BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling! BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling!](/images/10/10/y16.jpg)
I feel like the outfit possibilities with these shoes are endless! They’d be so sassy with a pair of cuffed black jeans, or perfect with a little black dress. They’d be incredible with a sparkly pink ensemble, & fantastic worn with a big tutu. Even when you’re running around on your day off, these shoes worn with blue jeans & a simple tank would be so awesome!
![BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling! BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling!](/images/10/10/ytreee.jpg)
I decided to go classic (well, as “classic” as I get) this time around. I wore…
Pink headband by Chubby Bunny
Rebecca coat from Coach (gifted, & these photos mark its debut!)
BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling (!!!)
Heart ring by Tarina Tarantino & skull ring from eBay
I fell in love with this coat when I was invited to the Coach store on Bleecker Street for a blogger preview. At the end, when we were told to choose our favourite piece to take home, everyone else huddled around the handbags while I went straight for the coats! (I always go for the coats!) I tried this one along with this leather jacket & this unbelievably luscious blazer, but settled on the Rebecca. Why? Its length makes it wonderfully warm & I knew I’d get the most wear out of it. Plus, it’s gorgeous! Who could say no?
P.S. I was not wearing anything underneath my coat in these photos. Park flasher, ahoy!
![BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling! BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling!](/images/10/10/y7.jpg)
![BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling! BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling!](/images/10/10/y2.jpg)
![BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling! BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling!](/images/10/10/y6.jpg)
![BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling! BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling!](/images/10/10/y11.jpg)
![BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling! BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling!](/images/10/10/y12.jpg)
![BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling! BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling!](/images/10/10/y14.jpg)
A warning — or maybe not a warning, just a “note”: Men love these shoes. (Women love them too, but that’s a given.) I mean, men REALLY love these shoes.
When I walked into Rite Aid to buy the glitter we used in the pictures, one of the girls working there smacked her male workmate & said, “Your eyes are bugging out of your head! Behave!” I was also the object of much hootin’ & hollerin’ by a particularly excitable crew of construction workers, & a guy leaned out his window as he drove past to shoot me a huge grin & yell, “NICE SHOES!” (Did I mention I only had them on for an hour?!)
So, single heterosexual ladies? Consider these your golden slippers. Single queer ladies? You’re onto a winner. Everyone else? Invest in earplugs. Or just get ready to practice your oh-so-charming smile! Haha!
![BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling! BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling!](/images/10/10/y15.jpg)
![BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling! BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling!](/images/10/10/y1.jpg)
While we were strolling around the park, it was such a happy surprise to see my friend Amanda! She just got over a bout of pneumonia & was out getting some fresh air, walking her dog, Pearl, through the park! Pearl is adorable, just look at that face! I think Pearl & Dolly should be best friends, don’t you?
![BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling! BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling!](/images/10/10/ywand.jpg)
These shoes attract magic! This point was demonstrated when this nice man came over & gave me this wand! Too cute! You can’t see but the top of the wand is decorated with hot pink detail… which matched my shoes perfectly!
![BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling! BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling!](/images/10/10/ylast.jpg)
![BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling! BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes by Gala Darling!](/images/10/10/y3.jpg)
By the way, if you’ve always wanted to design your own pair of shoes — & pink leopard print platform Mary Janes aren’t quite you (it’s okay, I understand) — check out Jeff Silverman for design-your-own-shoe fun! I love it!
If you have more specific questions about BIRTHDAY GIRL shoes, shoot me an email or get in touch with Jeff Silverman customer service! (They make ’em, after all!)
…& if you buy a pair, PLEASE send me photos of you wearing them! I’d absolutely LOVE (understatement!!!) to see!
Thanks so much to the extremely rad & brilliant Yumna for making photographic marvels!