New York - September 12, 2008

Are You Pumped?

Kathryn Amberleigh Shoe Collection

A piggy wearing lipstick is still a piggy.

But a swine in a hot pair of heels deserves a double take.

Especially if that trotter owes it all to NYC shoe designer Kathryn Amberleigh. The girl’s gone whole hog with a gloriously ’80s- and Old Hollywood-inspired collection of lady pumps and high boots (coming in October).

Amberleigh cleverly mixes materials (lamb and goat skins, suede, patent leather) and colors (black, teal, lavender, yellow, electric blue) into creations like white pumps with a copper sash and electric blue heels with a silver wing. Her shoes are theatrical (bows at the toe! sparkles on the heel!), fun, and frivolous. And they have girly names (Clara, Sophia, Shorty, Angelika).

Lest you forget.

Available at Court, 178 Mulberry Street, at Broome Street (212-925-1022); Circa Now, 238 East 6th Street, between Second and Third Avenues (212-254-2555); Pear, 124 Ludlow Street, between Rivington and Delancey Streets (212-529-3460). To see styles, go to kathrynamberleigh.com.