Christian Siriano for Payless
The limited edition Christian Siriano for Payless collection is now available in stores, according to style blog nitro:licious. But is it a fabulously affordable line or just a disappointment from the Project Runway winner?
When the Christian for Payless shoes debuted last year at Christian’s fall 2009 fashion show, fashionistas everywhere were excited for a “fierce” collection of heels featuring ultra-high platform heels, studs, spikes, and chains galore. You can check out the original Christian Siriano for Payless shoes here. They were so hot, don’t you think?
Unfortunately, though, the shoes in stores today are very different from the ones on the runway. Apparently, Payless decided to tone down the original designs, making them less edgy and more mainstream – a bad decision in my opinion!
There are currently two styles available on the Payless website: the Sandstrap Peep Toe (left and right above), and the Strut Pump (center) which both retail for $34.99. More shoes will likely be available soon.
EDIT: As of today, 8/18, another shoe is available on the Payless website: the Slither Boot in black, which retails for $49.99. Here’s a photo:
Personally, I love Christian’s designs, but I’m going to pass on these shoes. I think of Christian as such a fashion-forward, boundary pushing designer and this line just doesn’t reflect that to me. I wish they had released his original designs – those I would have bought in a heartbeat!
I can’t say I’ll be picking anything up from Christian’s Payless collection but what about you? Do you like what you see or do you wish they would have released his original shoe designs? Leave a comment with your thoughts!
Posted on on August 17, 2009 / Filed Under: Fashion News / Tags: Christian Siriano, Fall 2009, Payless, Project Runway, Shoes, Studs
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Bryannah
OMG, I totally loved his old collection better, for totes! :)
Yes, I so agree with you, if they released THOSE, I would buy all of them in seconds! :D
But you know, after all, it IS Payless, so there’s always some sort of catch…. in this case, these shoes looks like just any other shoes. :(
There’s no Christian Siriano-ness to any of them! :O
But great post! :)
xooooxoxo
Noel
I’m sorely disappointed. These look like heels I’ve seen the head of the science department of my high school wear. I mean, she’s stylish, but she’s also older than my parents.
Mici
I would defininetely get those fierce shoes with chains from his old collection, but I will pass on this new one…
Too bad he changed it, what happened?
Calico
This is the first time I’m hearing about him realeasing shoes, a ltitle bit too late, but I like his first collection better. The second’s not bad, but its quite … ordinary.
Lauren Wilkie
Possibly, they are still cute. But for 35 bucks I want something a little less plain jane. Just to let you know, I work at Victoria’s Secret and Christian Siriano just came out with a makeup line there as well. Everything is very fierce with strong colors and, best of all, affordable prices. Check it out!
johnieemma
These don’t look like they are worth the 35 bucks. I can just as easily find something that looks the same for much less money. Even Forever21 offers more creative options for much less.
That being said, they are cute shoes at an good price from a great designer. What more could you want?
nicole
i wish payless was going with christian’s original designs… those were much better than what’s actually being put out. i’d love to buy more high-end-looking shoes on the cheap, rather than the lame, toned-down here.
Kaci
I don’t really like the ones that are being released in the stores. I agree with everyone else; you can find shoes that look like those anywhere. They’re nice and all but not Chrisitan Siriano-nice. I would rather spend my $35 on something a little more interesting. The ones above would look good for an interview though…
Caitlyn
What happened to the boots that were going to be in it originally?? I wanted them!
Zephyr
Bryannah – I guess that’s true about there always being a catch.. guess the shoes on the runway were too good to be true!
Mici – Not sure. All the blogs were saying Payless asked him to tone the collection down because they wanted it to have more “mainstream” appeal. But you never know, there could be SO many reasons for it – licensing issues, the original shoes could have been too expensive to make given the recession, legal problems, etc. Personally I think if they did force him to tone it down, it was a bad biz decision on Payless’ part, which is why it kinda doesn’t make sense for them to do that. We’ll probably never know what REALLY happened behind the scenes..
Calico – This is the first time they’ve been released. The shoes he showed on the runway last year were never sold in stores – they were just samples.
Lauren – Oh I saw that! Very cute stuff, might have to do a write up on the CS for VS collection soon!
Nicole – Totally agree. I love to buy inexpensive, high-end looking shoes for fun occasions. I spend MORE on basic shoes so they’ll last – I don’t want basic shoes at Payless, I want the cheap, fun stuff!
Kaci – Yup, they’re definitely not Christian at all IMO.
Caitlyn – If you mean the boots from the runway, they’re not going to be released. The whole collection has changed from the original designs. There are some boots that are going to be part of the collection: they’re the green ones seen here. Kinda similar to the original brown ones, except the runway version was cuter..
Icee
I loved the old shoes! I was so looking forward to them coming out this September! The shoes they have released are okay, but the old designs were fabulous. I think Payless broke a lot of hearts with this.
Joanne
So disappointed! Those other shoes make my heart flutter. <333
Angelica
The design switch is definitely a let down. These shoes don’t present any special quality, the original set are super distinctive. I know I definitely would have went for the blue/gold pair.
= (
Angelica
is super distinctive *
Elle
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23381010@N06/3485415237/sizes/l/in/photostream/
they actually look not so bad on this picture. I really like the flats with the chain detail and the boots in the print pattern. Personally I think Christan’s line is one of the better designer for less lines I’ve seen at Payless. I agree the runway ones were way hotter but I still might check these out
Zephyr
Elle – Yeah, they’re definitely not terrible. And for the money, they’re still cute shoes! Worth looking at I think.
Miranda
*le sigh* How very unfortunate. But, then again…fierce and payless don’t exactly play house together in my mind. I think, however that those boots shall be mine.
Michelle
I do like the design of the shoes, personally. What worries me is the look of that heel. Not the height of it, but the way they taper so suddenly. I looks like they’d be extremely hard to balance in. But that just might be me.
Tori
I wish they were his old designs. I really wanted those turquoise ones.
Sarah
aww!! i loved his first line!! ..When you had the pictures up for what payless will sell i was thinking “if only the platform was a little bit higher”..and then you showed what the originals looked like and they were PERFECT!!! Definitely won’t be buying the payless versions…The whole concept of selling the originals are just too good to be true i guess.
Jess
I personally like the boots but like many of you I was expecting something very very FIERCE hehe, but yet again it is payless. I might get the boots, I need to see them in person, for some reason things look better(or worse) in person than online.
Ms. GLAM
I think that since it’s for Payless, the “fierceness” needed to be toned down. Truly fierce shoes will cost, and these ARE supposed to be affordable …
I think that the peeptoe style is pretty attractive for it’s price. I’d buy them :)
And I agree with Jess, things are different some times from online to being in person, which can be good or bad. I don’t like that. :/
Cherry
What does everybody think about his bootie? I’m torn, I’d love to buy it, I’m dying to have a bootie, I’ve been considering to finally get one, and I want my first bootie to be his, but for $49.99 should I just buy it somewhere else?
Khadie
definitely disappointing.. who cares what the designer name is if you’re not in love with the shoe?
STEPHANIE
not a fan of payless….u get what u pay for…and thats cheap shoes that fall apart and are uncomfortable. plus, the shoes just look to bland. when u walk into a store like macy’s or nordstroms and look at their shoe department you get the whole “wow” factor because there are so many shoes you want. at payless, there’s no feeling like that. so designer or not…those shoes are fit to payless standards and therefore….there’s nothing too special about them
Hayley
Yea.Like everyone is saying the runway versions where sooooooooo much better than these that are in stores.they are just blah.No fun what so ever.Now I know I won’t be buying them
MaeGal
The heels are all very cute, but nothing too special. I so want those boots, though! I love them. Too bad they are $50, I’m too cheap for that. They are super great.
Avigayl
I love Christian Siriano to death but I’m not into these shoes. Too toned down for my taste.
becca
Ugh, they look like shoes that you can buy anywhere else. Where is the edge that made Christian Siriano Project Runway? These shoes make me YAWN.
Grace
Ugh, the new collection pales in comparison to the old one. How sad :[
KatetheGrey
Well, for what it’s worth, I bought two pairs of these today. The “Strut” pumps and the “Slither” boots, both in black. I liked the hidden platform (I’m a shortie), and the shape was super cute. They’re not bad in person, seriously, though I’m in agreement with the consensus that they toned them down which is sadness. I still love the ones I got!!!
I’ll bet anything you like that the talon heels from the runway show will be NOWHERE when the shoes actually show up in stores!
Elizabeth Jen kins
I was waiting to buy his original versions if you a true fashionista and have any style you would agree. But have to be born with style and taste you cant just buy it. Payless need to let him do what he knows and stop editing his style. The shoe thats they have on their website is horrible and cheap looking.