Fine Feather Parade...

This season I'm working with peacock feathers for one of the spring styles... I'm still playing with the design but I've narrowed it down some... I'm thinking about either layering them around the side of the heel in a whimsical way or hanging one from each ankle strap (as prepared in the photo). This is different from anything I've seen before and it really adds a little something to any look!

Peacock feathers have always been a symbol of beauty and now they will finally be worn by the right sex :) I love how unique they are and the way they pop when paired with the royal blue suede I'm using for the pumps. This pair is one that I'm excited to create because it's so playful! This shoe was designed for nights out on the town, but be prepared because all eyes will be on you...

Color...

Leather swatches have been coming in daily now and I'm finally starting to feel like this is all very real... Currently I'm trying to find the right colors for the designs Ive been working on. I'm really into purples, light pinks, blues and of course some oranges. Then there's the croc and gator skins that are just gorgeous! I keep finding myself adding to the collection just so I can use a certain color or skin :)

What are some of your favorite colors? Do you only wear certain colors for spring or do you find yourself going for style rather than sticking to the rules?? I'd love to hear from you. Let me know what you'd like to see in the Strawberry Blonde Spring Collection... You never know, your ideas may inspire a new design!

Some of my favorites so far...

I love these colors...

All in the family...

All my life I have been around fabulous shoes... My Grandpa Benny Bonanno was a cobbler and owned Dixie Shoe Repair in the heart of Downtown West Palm Beach. He and my Grandma Eva designed the Bonanno Sandals that we all know and love today. I spent much of my childhood with my grandparents in that shop, stacking dye jars and dressing my dolls in leather that my Grandma would give me, all while these exquisite women would stroll in and out wearing beautiful heels that my Grandpa Benny would repair...

My Uncle Stephen Bonanno took over the business after my Grandpa passed; designing more styles, adding colors and keeping the legacy alive. He now handcrafts all his sandals in Stuart Florida in his factory. My first job was for my Uncle when I was about 10 years old; I would work around the factory doing little chores, sweeping, taking small orders and he even let me whipstich some of the sandals on occasion.

Then in 2004 My Aunt Vivian and Uncle Domenick opened up a Stephen Bonanno Signature Store in Downtown Stuart. I went to work for them in 2005 as the store manager where I spent a year learning the business and studying color.

One night while having a conversation with my mom I thought why not start my own shoe label?! Ive always loved shoes in fact some would say I was obsessed! So it began; I started talking with my Uncle Steve about my ideas, I started sketching designs and working on my Spring 2010 collection! Here it had been my whole life leading up to this one idea, why had it taken me so long to realize I was born into Shoe Business...