EVENING NIGHTCAP: Summer Shoes Trends. RiRi Money Woes? Healing Vibes To A-Ha Lead Singer.

► It's a slooow news day. Since PW Manor readers are astute fashionistas, an article about summer shoe trends caught my eye. According to overpaid fashion experts, they rounded up what's hot for your hoofs this summer. I had to research some of them because I had no idea what they were. My idea of fashion is waiting for glam 1980's hair and Member's Only Jackets to make a comeback. I have to say I wrote about one of the "hot 2025 summer shoes" when I penned an essay on the history of Jelly Shoes about 2 years ago for PW Manor. That reminds me, when I get more free time, I intend to bring back my Blast From The Past column. Okay, enough rambling. Here's what's hot and what should be thrown in the back of the closet. Or given to your dog to chew on.  Read More

Hot summer shoes for 20025. Photo courtesy of: Business Insider

IN:

• Backless shows like mules and clogs. I had to look up what "mule shoes" were. I thought they were made of mule hair, or had cute mule ears for a touch of whimsy. Damn, I was wrong.
• Metallic shoes. They seem to be having a moment, much like a good bowel movement. I can get into metallic shoes. I like things that are shiny and glittery cause it appeals to my short attention span.
• Low top sneakers. Now we're talking. I'm a connoseir of sneakers. Low top sneakers are a staple in any yupppie's closet. Think Ked's. Or if you're an old Dlisted fan, Kitson of LA. The go-to shop a decade ago.
• Woven flats and sandals. Sounds like wearing 2 wicker baskets on your feet. Hard pass for me.
• Jelly sandals are back in vogue! Now we're talking. A relic from the 1980's is making a comeback. If you want to read my essay on them, knock yourself out.  Blast from the Past: Jelly Shoes
• Cross-strap leather sandals. I read this as jock-strap leather sandals. These are sandals that have straps that make an "X". Um, okay. 

OUT:

• Bulky shoes, especially bulky sneakers with platform heels. This is bad news for Tammy Cruise. He'll have to think of another way to height-it.
• Flip flops
• Branded sandals or sandals covered with designer logos. Oh, how gauche. 
• Ballet flats 

 

► Rihanna has built quite the biz empire since putting her singing career on ice. She's ranked as #35 in Forbes list of richest self made women in the USA. Take that with a grain of salt since this is the same publication that said Kylie Jenner is a gazillionaire 100 times over. RiRi's biz ventures total $1.4 billion. However, her fortune has dropped $400 million (or 30%) due to "business setbacks". Her CEO of Savage Fenty X left last year to take over Victoria's Secret. Yea, good luck with that. Now there's a company that's in trouble. Victoria's Secret is sinking faster than a fishing lure. Anyhoo, sales of RiRi's cosmetics, which she co-owns with LVHM are flat. Business hounds suspect the geopolitical environment is impacting sales, along with things just getting stale in her ventures. Her lingerie line released a bridal collection. Given the way things are in the economy, I doubt too many brides can afford a $100 corset or $25 thong they'll wear once. Seriously, who thinks walking around with dental floss up their butt crack is comfortable?  Read More

Rihanna at the 2025 Met Gala. Photo: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images/Vibe.com

Comment:  As the old saying goes, "what goes up, eventually goes down".  RiRi is still an very wealthy person. But a $400 million decline to her fortune should have her re-think her biz strategy. Out of curiosity I took a look at the Bridal Collection she launched. IMO, it's tacky and looks cheap. It's what I'd expect Frederick's of Hollywood to stock in their clearance bin. RiRi better step up her game. That or resurrect her music career. Yea, I laughed when I typed that line.

 

► Morten Harket, lead singer for the 1980's band A-Ha, shared he's battling Parkinson's disease. He wrote about the diagnosis on the band's website. Morten disclosed he's been dealing with the disease for a few years with only family and close friends knowing about it/  He also said he's had 2 brain surgeries to deal with it. Morten last appeared on stage with the band in 2022 at a Hollywood Bowl concert. When asked what he wants fans to do, he said:  “Don’t worry about me. Find out who you want to be – a process that can be new each and every day. Be good servants of nature, the very basis of our existence, and care for the environment while it is still possible to do so. Spend your energy and effort addressing real problems, and know that I am being taken care of.” Wow, what a class act. Sending healing vibes to Morten. Read More

Morten Harket, lead singer of A-Ha, 2025. Photo: Stian Andersen/ A-Ha.com

Comment: If I had to define the 1980's music scene, A-Ha would be right up there. Between their monster hit, "Take Me On" and the accompanying ground breaking video, they band was quintessential 1980's. They had a style all of their own. Sending healing vibes and wishing Morten good health in managing the disease. Stay strong, Morten.  Below is the MTV Unplugged version of "Take Me On".  I really like it, its soulful and soothing. Enjoy.