at the Alejandro Ingelmo F/W 2010 presentation

Alejandro Ingelmo, shoe designer

I had the privilege of exchanging a few brief words with the designer at the Alejandro Ingelmo presentation at New York Fashion Week. He isn't exactly what I imagined the designer of such over-the-top and gaudy-cool women's shoes to look like, case in point:

webbed booties in lavender leather and gray suede

shine, straps, and buckles galore in the background

but what he seemed to be was someone talented and constantly focused on improving his craft. We chatted a bit about these men's combat boots in an interesting matte distressed leather:

Sticking out like a sore thumb amongst his usual busy men's sneakers, the boots were a work in progress, according to Ingelmo. He was developing more visible treads to place on the boots, much like the treads on the soles of these heels:

rubber and silver treads on high-heeled pumps (photo by Chris Reed)

I'm really looking forward to what comes out of this prototype. Ingelmo is a master at detail, and I would like to see his maximalist sensibilities translated on to men's boots and perhaps even dress shoes in the future.

Manning the door was the intensely British and painfully stylish Brandon Acton-Bond, who made me, for a moment, look with dismay at my wardrobe fattened up with high street fluff.

Alejandro Ingelmo's press prince, Brandon Acton-Bond, in an Ivan Grundahl half-kimono, Issey Miyake lace turtleneck, Dr. Martens boots

and a charming Inca pin from his grandmother.

You can virtually rummage through Brandon's closet in the latest post by video style blog Stylelikeu.com. I'm beginning to think brooches are the new scarves.