If Batman was a shoe...

Pain demands to be felt, but I don't want to feel sorry for myself anymore. Let's talk about shoes, yes?

On September 25, a huge bash was held to celebrate the collaboration of world-class designer Rajo Laurel with SM Parisian and Milanos. I wasn't able to go because I went to the premiere of The Perks of Being a Wallflower but I was able to read up on what transpired through my blogger friends' posts. The two exclusive collections derive inspiration from Japanese culture so it only follows that the event was largely Japanese-themed as well. From what I've seen, it was a fun night of culture, fashion and art meshed seamlessly to present pieces that are truly worthy of space in everyone's shoe closets.

“As a designer, the Japanese culture has always been a point of reference for me,” Rajo Laurel explained. “I am in love with the graphic qualities of their traditional garb, the intricate art of the obi, the deep romanticism associated with the kimono and of course the zen balance of the modern Japanese aesthetic.”

Because Parisian has been super awesome and extremely supportive of my love for shoes, they contacted me to choose two pairs from either Parisian or Milanos. If you haven't seen the collection yet, I know you're very curious to know what the shoes Rajo designed look like. Here is a spread for your easy reference so we can ooh and aah at the same time, and for you to know why I found it difficult to choose which to pick ;)

PARISIAN

MILANOS

See what I mean? I also like the ones from Milanos, and I am not even a boy!

Last week, I went to SM Makati to see them in person... and fell in love. With TAO. In black. Unfortunately, it is no longer available in my size (that's how hot ticket these items are, ladies and gents!) so on Friday I went to SM North EDSA to try my luck.

I guess the shoe goddesses wanted to be in my good side that day :)

Sigh... what a beauty.

Gorgeous all over. Yes. Yes. A thousand times YES.

Do you know why I fell in love with this pair? Simple. The first time I saw it in the catalog, it reminded me of Batman. And you know how much I love Batman. Sleek, sexy and such a badass, this pair has got Bruce Wayne's alter ego's name stamped all over it. I love it.

And of course, on off days it could even moonlight as Catwoman ;)

SEE? How could anyone try it on and not fall in love?

I guess you were thinking about the other pair I chose, weren't you? Well I gave it to my younger brother because I am such a cool sister. He got this:

Watanabe in black

A little inside joke that I noticed just now: my brother's nickname is Ken. Ken Watanabe, get it? LOL if you think that was terrible, don't mind me. It's midnight and I should be sleeping by now but my mind is consumed by forever alone thoughts of shoes.

Special thanks to SM Parisian and SM Milanos! Happy shoe-shopping! ♥

Rajo! for Parisian and Milanos are available in the following SM Department Stores nationwide: SM Mall of Asia SM North Edsa, SM Makati, SM Megamall, SM Cubao, SM San Lazaro, SM Manila, SM Fairview, SM Las Piñas, SM Bacoor, SM Dasmariñas, SM Lucena, SM Lipa, SM Baguio, SM Pampanga, SM Clark, SM Marilao, SM Cebu, SM Lanang, and SM Mandurriao. For more information, visit the official Facebook pages of SM Parisian and SM Milanos or follow @SMParisian and @SMMilanosShoes on Twitter.