December’s British Vogue is a treasure chest of goodies, from the how-to on glitter to Lara looking very un-Lara-like in ballgowns and a stunning Doutzen editorial.

But the one article that really caught my eye was a beautifully written collection of stories by some perfectly appointed contributors. “The Seven Wonders of Fashion” is an examination of pieces that are just so incredible that they endure the test of time. (There are some seriously great collages of fashion images over the years, too.)

Charlotte Rampling starts it all off with the tuxedo, an item of clothing she declares “empowering” and statement making. Amanda Harlech muses on the ballgown, the dress of every girl’s dreams, while Alison Goldfrapp informs us of the power of the hat, praising milliners as artists and hats as sculptures.

The Atacoma wedges sent shoe lovers into a frenzy when they debuted in Acne’s Pre-Fall ‘09 collection.

Alexa Chung fell particularly in love with them; and the coveted bootie sold out within just a few days after she wore them on her MTV show. So maybe that’s what inspired Jeffrey Campbell to name his knock-off the Alexa?

It’s a well-studied copy. The shape’s exactly the same, the diagonal seaming is spot-on. In fact, the only difference between the two is the transition from the black leather to the silver metal panels. While Acne’s is seamless, Campbell’s has a bit of a divot.

With so many wedge booties out this season, it should be easy to avoid buying a pair based off someone else’s ideas.