I bought a pair of Steve Madden black and white polka dot wedges when I was 16. They were adorable—cute little criss-cross ankle strap, magenta labels on the inside. I loved those shoes. I still love those shoes. They’re probably the oldest ones in my closet—or a close second to one other pair.

Almost ten years later, they finally gave in to my abuse and one of them broke. I cried a little, I’m not going to lie. So I decided that I would take them into a repair shop, and pay more to have them fixed than I did to buy them to begin with.

When I picked them up from the shop, I was so happy to see them, I put them on straight away—with my gym clothes mind you—and strutted them for the rest of the evening. Hardly taken them off since.

And this is just one of my many pairs of Steve Madden shoes I’ve owned throughout the years. I love him. I don’t care that he went to prison for a little—all the more hours for him to dream up beautiful décor for my feet.

But I question what’s going on with this new contest he has going on. Art+Sole is a really cool concept—you, his devoted buyers, get to select the next model of shoe to come out for the fall line. Seems great—for the people, by the people. That’s America right there. Read More »