03 20, 2009 04:00 PM

Be Rational, Would You?

CALLING CARD

Once upon a time (six years ago), designer Corinne Grassini saw a pair of leather boots with a ton of straps. It was love at first sight (sigh). But the boots not only belonged to someone else, they were also vintage (sniff, sniff). Alas, Grassini figured they’d be impossible to find and feared that even if she were to be united with the beloved boots, she’d never be able to afford them (figures). And then it hit her: She could make the boots herself! So she went to the library and checked out a book on how to fashion moccasins (ding! ding! ding!). She made ankle booties, midcalf, thigh high, you name it. And Society for Rational Dress was born (hooray!).

Once upon another time (fall 2009 show on Friday), Grassini sent heels bechained with gold (cha-ching!) down the runway. So if you like them, make them yourself! She did, and she’d like to show you how (applause).

1. Dig up an old pair of shoes.
2. Gather your tools (leather spray paint, metal cutters, leather punch, needle, heavy-duty thread, tons of chain).

3. Spray your shoe whatever color you like. (We did ours to match the chain.)
4. Use a leather punch to make holes in the rim of the opening.

5. Use the thread to sew a loop through the chain and attach to the shoe.
6. Repeat step five over and over until you come up with a result you like.

If the hanging chain is too much for you, try them this way.

www.societyforrationaldress.com