Tory Burch Wins CFDA Award For Putting Her Logo on Shoes

Let’s start this off with a disclaimer:

We like Tory Burch’s clothes. A lot. They’re too expensive, sure, but there’s nothing like a fauxhemian tunic or a Kool-Aid colored skirt to get any girl - big, small, dark, light, uptown, downtown, city, suburb - through a day when she just can’t decide what to wear.

The issue is what happened last night at the CFDA Awards, when Tory Burch won the award for best accessory design.

You know the only accessory that anyone associates with Tory Burch?

Those crazy flats. Which are actually quite simple, except they have a massive, dare we say distracting, gold or silver logo on the top.

Are they brilliant from a sales perspective? Absolutely. Do we want our mom to get a pair? Oh, yes. But do they deserve an award for innovative American design?

Come on. It’s true that the branding of those shoes is incredible, but Tory was not the first American stylist to correlate status with logos and therefore with wanting: Ralph Lauren put his polo silhouettes on ties to launch his empire, and the DVF signature print of her ’70s wrap dress is legendary.

More recently, Kate Spade sold out of shoebox-shaped bags as soon as she put her labels on the outside of the purses. Ms. Spade has two CFDA Awards, both from the ’90s.

posted by guest

Jun 03, 2008 8:59AM

I agree with everything you've written!

Jun 03, 2008 9:11AM

Innovative? No. Not by a long shot. The line is great - but not deserving of an award in my opinion.

Jun 03, 2008 9:14AM

philip crangi all the way!

posted by syako

Jun 03, 2008 9:19AM

I like your perspective on this.

And I'm agreeing with you on it too.

Jun 03, 2008 9:32AM

i agree
i always thought those shoes were UG-LY.

posted by xxi

Jun 03, 2008 10:11AM

Tory Burch is the Tommy Hilifger of the 2000's [damn that sounds awkward] and it's all sorts of epic fail. I don't mind her clothing until she throws her ugly giant gold label all over them, then it just turns into a mess. Let's not kid ourselves, the CFDA is totally rigged. Except for my bb Tom Fords win, he actually deserves it [and Francisco too]

I agree but in defensive of the award -the shoes are so appealing to some that they have become very popular.

posted by socialista

Jun 03, 2008 10:13AM

I am so glad that you guys addressed this because I think it's completely absurd. Tory Burch is not doing anything innovative-- and the fact that girls are spending $200+ so they can be a walking billboard for her, is so stupid. While yes, I think her shoes are cute, I would never want to be like everyone else who wears them, from 12 year olds to mothers. Her marketing team should be winning an award.

posted by skint and mint

Jun 03, 2008 11:03AM

i don't understand why people are willing to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for incredibly ugly things just because they have a brand logo on them.

posted by PJH

Jun 03, 2008 11:44AM

Those shoes were cute the first time I saw them. The fiftieth, oh hell naw. Not only that, every time I see them I think of the classic Ferragamo flat. The article about her in last weeks LA Times Image section, along with this sham of an award, just cemented my annoyance with her. Although, I do think it's great that Prince wore one of her tunics to coachella. :)

Jun 03, 2008 5:49PM

Hate her shoes--but some of her totes are pretty dang cute. And not all of them have giant logos on 'em!

posted by Fassion

Jun 03, 2008 7:14PM

I had a pair of leather Calvin Klein flats in the 90's that had a large CK on the top. The logo was stiched in of course, but same concept. THey were also knocked off.

Jun 03, 2008 11:04PM

you have a point but shes got other great accessories and shoes besides these flats which are much more subtle

Jun 04, 2008 8:50AM

i think its incredibly sad you are commenting on a successful business woman when you are writing a blog. get a life.

Jun 04, 2008 9:20AM

I agree with just about everything written in the article and comments above. However, I have to say that from a design perspective, the Tory Burch, maltese cross like, logo on the shoe pictured is a design that can stand alone as purely decorative, much like the old Givenchy logo design. I couldn't compare it to a CK or a Polo pony, to me, those really do read like billboard advertisements.

Jun 04, 2008 10:03PM

That's funny, all this time I never thought of her logo as a maltese cross, just two letter T's one rightside up and one upside down. "T" for Tory.