The Case for Lanvin

I have an inherent weakness for any ballet flats that make my size 9.5 feet seem dainty. But when these magical shoes ring in at a tear-inducing $530, you'd better know what you're paying for and why. I worked for about two months before I was able to save enough cash to afford the tax on these shoes. Nevertheless, keep in mind that if you calculate the value of price per wear, they cost me about $0.20/day.
A huge perk is the exclusivity. I first saw the Lanvin ballet flats in Elle magazine about two years ago, in the issue where Naomi Watts is on the cover. They were green, they were worn, they were perfect. Unfortunately, by the time I could afford them, Barneys (the only retailer on this side of the Atlantic that carries the flats. Big misstep there, Saks) had sold out of everything but the patent leather pairs. I refuse to pay more than $10 for patent leather - regular leather wears better than patent, looks more expensive, and lasts far longer. I was lucky that Barneys had just received a limited-quantity shipment of white leather flats with metallic silver edging. I tried them on. Housewives of New York gasped as my feet suddenly became a size 7. Factor in the assurance that no one west of Broadway would make it to Barneys in time to snag a pair, and I was sold. Rather, the shoes were sold. To me.
It's been two years and I have my eye on another pair. Why? Because it isn't until you buy them and open the rich, sky blue box that you figure out that they're handmade in Italy by craftsmen out of the finest calfskin available. Not one craftsman, but two! And they devote two weeks to your two shoes, that fit snugly and perfectly on your two feet. It's a sickness, sure, but the best sickness ever. The calfskin is soft, supple, and durable, though it does require care. I don't eat veal so I consider this a proper tradeoff.

I'll admit that this isn't the shoe's best angle, so try to find them up close and personal and tell me you don't fall deeply in love. I've decided, upon my family's recent decision to go to France for the fourth year in a row (we really enjoy escargot), that I'm going to waltz into the Lanvin flagship in Paris and choose from a much wider array than what Barneys offers. I also want to find Alber Elbaz, give him a hug, and make him my best friend forever. Conveniently, I have a good three weeks before this dream comes to fruition, so hopefully I'll work enough to compensate for the dollars (decreasing) weakness against the euro.