More Shoes! Manolo, Ferragamo & Yves St. Laurent

This year we have so many amazing designer shoes, I am absolutely overwhelmed. Have you seen our beaded Manolos? Well, here's yet another pair in black leather. Take a look at these sleek and sexy high heel mules. They go with everything!


I'm crazy for these vintage velvet Ferragamos in this stunning jewel-tone color-block pattern. A perfect fall shoe.

As for these Yves St. Laurent party shoes with rhinestone buttons, they're a classic!

Gary's Corner: The Sounds of Style

The Glitter Gala is just under two weeks away, Thursday, Nov. 4th, 6 pm, in downtown Seattle at the Sheraton Hotel.

In addition to a sparkling evening, beginning with a champagne reception and then a 3-course dinner, this year's event includes an exciting runway show, "The Sounds of Style," where fashion and music take center stage and the clothing and accessories all come from the 2010 Glitter Sale. Are you ready?

Gary is! In fact, our inimitable stylist has wandered the Glitter Sale racks in search of looks that bring to mind some of the most fashionable musical icons from the '60s, '70s and '80s. Here are three looks he's put together for three iconic female vocalists. Can you guess who they are?

Inspired by Janis Joplin, Gary paired this vintage knit dress (check out those sleeves) with a Target faux fur vest and some gold-colored chains. He's rockin' the psychedelic '60s!

This gown is a perfect fit for country singer Barbara Mandrel! Pleated swing skirt. Feathery marabou hem. Rhinestone neck. Sheer sleeves. You don't need to add one single thing to this '70s look!

Gary loves '80s rock 'n' roll and Joan Jett. He's topped a tank with a black motorcycle jacket and lots of silver chains, then teamed them up with an over-sized studded leather bag and trendy whisper-wash jeans.

Who are your favorite musical fashion icons?

BAM Curator Nora Atkinson Talks Shoes

Earlier this year the Bellevue Arts Museum was home to a traveling exhibition featuring the footwear of designer Beth Levine, who created the famous white vinyl go-go boots that Nancy Sinatra wore in the film where she sang "These Boots Are Made For Walking."

Imagine the surprise and excitement we all felt at Goodwill when we discovered that a pair of suede heels slated for the Glitter Sale were designed by Beth Levine!

We took our shoes to BAM curator Nora Atkinson, who coordinated Beth Levine: First Lady of Shoes, and Nora told us more about our strappy heels and the designer who created them.

What can you tell us about Beth Levine?

Beth and Herbert Levine were a couple. He was the marketing guy; she was the designer. It was unheard of to be a woman in that business, and so Beth worked under her husband's name. Which is why so many people don't know her name today.

We were thrilled to discover these shoes. What can you tell us about them?

Well, you can see that one shoe has the Herbert Levine label and the other has the label of the local shoe store that carried it. In this case, the local store is Nordstrom's Portland store. Nordstrom was the local shoe store to buy Herbert Levine shoes. In fact, Nordstrom generously loaned us several pairs of Beth Levine shoes from their archives for our exhibit.

The Herbert Levine label began in 1949, and the company really had personal relationships with every shoe store they sold to, which allowed them to make more innovative, interesting designs. These shoes probably date to the mid-fifties.

What about this design?

Beth made the shoes women wanted, not what they needed. The company began just after the war ended, and Beth and Herbert really capitalized on the fact that what women wanted was to be a little bit sexier. Shoes didn't have to be practical anymore.

Beth's shoes were much more open than shoes had been previously. There is no ankle strap. There's very little material on the sides of the shoe. You can see on this pair how much material has been cut away.

What kinds of materials did Beth Levine work with.

She used the very best materials. Exotic skins. Silk from Lyons. Leather from Florence. Beth and Herbert traveled all over the world. Your shoes are made of suede. All of the rhinestones would have been hand-applied. And all of the work was done by hand. After fifty or more years, they're in great shape. The rhinestones are all intact. These really are a fabulous pair of shoes.

Thanks to the Bellevue Arts Museum, if you're attending our Glitter Gala on Nov. 4th and participate in the evening's raffle, you'll have an opportunity to win a family membership to BAM and a beautiful full-color, hardbound book about Beth Levine, entitled very appropriately, Beth Levine Shoes. Our Beth Levine shoes will be for sale at the Glitter Sale.

Winter White Swimming Pool Earrings

We call these vintage floral earrings "swimming pool earrings" because they're made from soft plastic rather than metal and shouldn't rust while you swim. While we don't actually suggest that you wear this pair of '50s era earrings in the water, we do suggest you wear them all winter long.

True Faux

Baby it's cold outside! Dress at the height of fashion and stay warm as toast with our huge selection of faux fur coats, vests, even fun fur jackets for kids. This vintage coat, with faux fur trim, is one of my favorites.

Faux fur vests were all the rage last year, and there's no letting up on this fun fad that's fast becoming a winter tradition. Our fabulous faux fur toppers are just what you need to beat the winter blues.

This faux fur parka from Gap Kids is super-special, and not just because this fur is warm and cuddly. No, it's because we have two of them!

Trifari for the Holidays

Considered one of the top costume jewelry manufacturers in the U.S., Trifari bracelets, earrings, pins and clips are coveted today, perhaps even more so than they were in their heyday. This lovely enamel fur clip is vintage Trifari, very likely from the 1940's. Wouldn't it make a marvelous Christmas gift?

Gary's Corner: Hollywood Glamour

Have you met Gary, Goodwill's inimitable ambassador, Bellevue store manager, and on this occasion, in-house stylist? Gary has agreed to wander behind the scenes, through the Glitter Sale racks, to create timely and timeless looks to share with you.

Last week Gary went gaga for Lady Gaga, but for holiday, he's all about Hollywood glamour. Think Grace Kelly. Think Audrey Hepburn. Refined beauty. Simple luxury.

Served up over the holidays, Gary's Hollywood glamour translates into elegant evening gowns and cloaks, beautiful taffetas, rich iridescents and flirty tulle lining. Thanks to the Glitter Sale, (and Gary), making an entrance, on or off the red carpet, was never so easy--or inexpensive!

This simple stunner (Cinderella at the ball?) is positively enchanting. And the whole outfit is under $40.

• Aquamarine strapless with rhinestone brooch at waist $21.99
• Sequin sparkle sweater $9.99
• Drop pearlescent necklace $7.99

Traditional holiday green and gold with this season's most talked about coat--the faux-fur, leopard print chubby--is both elegant and glamorous. And all for under $90.

• Iridescent strapless gown with black net underskirt $24.99
• Leopard print chubby (with original tags) $39.99
• Elsa Peretti-style heart necklace $9.99
• Kate Spade strappy gold sandals $12.99