This summer sees the celebration of hand-crafted accessories with that unique one-piece spirit. Traditional styling uses the modern day technical know-how. Beige, gray, soft green on finely finished leather with embroideries, stone inlays, tiny engraved patterns and leather "tie-me-up'' strings toe into summer' 2002.

Moving on to a glamorous narration. Accessories including footwear seem to be on a "red alert'' this summer. High summer sandals in red with patent leather trims take off from pop culture influences. Ornamental tooling is seen in the form of well "chiseled'' buckles and leather ties in black, brown, and ocher with a dash of gold. Juxtaposition of materials reflects that glitzy mood.

High heels that signal a woman a mile away prevail. This "high'' therapy for pampered feet sees a joyous mix of geo-floral along with innovative heel shapes. Pacing up are rounded off square soles and high heels in decorative leather.

Sports shoes have always been a temptation since the dawn of technology in shoe design. As ornamentation is quietly infiltrating every aspect of daily life, `trainers' too feature in the league. Make your vintage pieces qualify for this summer sprint. Swarovski components in red, silver or navy on sports shoes lend fun to the "city style'' look. Foot fashion is illuminated. Pink, mauve, black, white, beige long out soles and wedges covered with sequins on printed leather with metallic trims are in the relay.

Mamma always said "there's an awful lot you can tell about a person by his shoes: where they're going, where they've been'' - Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump. Not to worry... the solution pill is here - the technology passionate styling of today. Water proof leather types with plasticised cube heels, layering with stain resistant shear fabrics and coated nylon indicates a clever summer setting.

``Eco-Design'' sandals are also a part of this "hot race.'' Increasing concern about the environment dictates natural colour range with hot stamped motifs (branches, leaves, thorny bushes, flowers) and raw cut edges. "Eco-tooling'' has details like branch motifs showing on the wood like extended square soles.

Styling with motifs in cut-out style.

In this backdrop of nature, the corporate foot could sport loafers and moccasins taking off from trees and natural tones.

From tango to salsa, from ballroom to the disco, footwear has undergone extraordinary changes in the 21st Century. New materials, manufacturing and marketing methods -- all have played a vital role in shaping the inventiveness of shoe design. Style your sole at Lifestyle, Zedds, Stampede, Lords (MG Road), Regal (MG Road) and Roopmandir for shower and beach sandals (Chenoy Trade Centre).

When Manolo Blahnik was asked what shoes will be worn after the millennium, he said: "A good hat, a good pair of shoes, a good dress will always be a good hat, a good pair of shoes and a good dress. People will insist on quality, quality, and quality. We will get rid of trash and get back to good things.'' Cinderella may have worn glass slippers to the ball, but they were nothing like the quality shoes produced today.

ANUPREET BHALLA

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