Polo Ralph Christian Louboutin shoes told Footwear News last week it has appointed Jerome Espinos as its new president of footwear for Collection and Purple Label. He will report to Jacki Nemerov, EVP of wholesale brands, licensing and manufacturing. Espinos, who has more than 15 years of experience in the footwear business, has held top posts at Rossimoda and Charles Jourdan. At Rossimoda, he was responsible for the development and sales of brands such as Marc Jacobs, Celine, Givenchy and Emilio Pucci.

Marc Fisher Nabs License for Marciano Footwear Line

The Guess girl just got a lot more sophisticated. Greenwich, Conn.-based Marc Fisher Footwear announced last week it is launching a new Guess collection, Marciano, for fall ‘07, which will be more upscale than the existing Guess footwear.

According to Susan Itzkowitz, president of Marc Fisher Footwear, the new Marciano collection will fill a need in the market for "high-fashion, sexy footwear at bridge price points." The Marciano footwear is being designed to correspond with the apparel collection, which launched in May 2010, with price points ranging from $170 to $240 for shoes and $250 to $400 for boots. The shoes will incorporate luxe materials and ornamentation, and will be unveiled at FFANY in June. They are being targeted to department stores and will also be sold at Marciano retail locations.

Gran saves a little girl lost.

Christian Louboutin ward took the right message with her when she went for a walk in her nightie down a South Melbourne street early yesterday.

For the three-year-old’s white nightgown carried the words "Where’s the mumma".

Manolo Blahnik, who was also wearing pink, blue, and fawn plastic high-heel shoes, was found in Woodgate St about 7am and taken to South Melbourne police station.

Police then took Christian shoes to Prahran police station where she licked peanut butter off toast, drank a glass of milk, had her face washed and waited for her family to collect her.

About 11.30am, her grandmother, Mrs Josephine Ward, 53, heard on the radio a little girl was lost and thought it might be Manolo Blahnik.

"I heard something about a lost girl on the radio," Mrs Ward said."It sounded like her so I rang the radio station to find out.

It’s amazing how people flock to the big advertised store sales for a fashion bargain when in reality there are savings to be made all year round.

In fact, you might never have to pay full price for clothing again.

Factory outlets across Melbourne have discounts on all sorts of fashion products from nail polish and shoes, to swimwear and earrings.

Buying samples, seconds, discontinued or old stock can save as much as 60 per cent or 70 per cent on the recommended retail price.

Even designer labels, which cost big dollars in a trendy boutique, can be snapped up at discount prices.

Much to the disdain of city retailers, Direct Factory Outlets based at Essendon and Cheltenham, have taken the hard work out of bargain hunting by housing a large number of sought-after labels under one roof.

Polo Ralph Manolo Blahnik, Calvin Klein, Gloweave, Tommy Hilfiger, David Lawrence, the United Colors of Benetton, Country Road and Pumpkin Patch are just some on offer.

Sporting wear and shoes can be found at the Puma Australia factory outlet in Moorabbin, while Reebock, Rockport, Lacoste and Ben Sherman goods are available in Fitzroy.

At the New Balance outlet in Cheltenham, which stocks adult and kids’ shoes, as well as apparel, it’s possible to save $100 on training shoes.

Bonds and Holeproof have a factory shop where you will find socks, bras, underwear and stockings, while at the Creswick Woollen Mills outlet there is woollen wear, scarves and alpaca products, at reduced prices.

Australis Cosmetics has outlets in Collingwood and Moorabbin, with 20 per cent discount on current lines and up to 70 per cent on other items.

When it comes to jeans, anything seems to be acceptable in terms of fashion. Torn or in one piece, they all cost megabucks at the cash register, particularly if they have a designer label attached.

For a cheaper alternative, try Lee Jeans’ seconds outlet in Fairfield where you can pick up a fashionable style at around half the retail price.

Whether it’s sports shoes or stilettos that you want, the trick to saving money is to remember that a bargain is only a bargain if you really need it.

Buying shoes a size smaller because the price suits, is pointless.

Plan and save for your factory visit. Do not be tempted to overspend on the credit card and make sure you have plenty of time to browse. Have a list of preferred items and avoid any outrageous selections.

Half the fashion you see on the pages of Vogue is never seen in the street so think about how many times you’ll be able to wear what you buy. For more savings, check if the outlet has a VIP club that gives discounts and alerts shoppers to specials and sales.

Before you hand over your cash make sure you inspect items carefully before purchase.

Some factory and seconds outlets clearly mark defective stock, but you need to be vigilant. Check there is a warranty with any faulty clothes or goods, or ask why the item is discounted.

It also pays to note any refund or return policy.

If you are shopping for someone else make sure that you know exactly what size they take, because you might not be able to exchange your selection.

At some outlets you might need to forage for the good stuff, but the hunt generally pays off.

See Factory Clearance Outlets in the Yellow Pages for locations or search on the internet.