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Steiger and Rossi

Colorful, strappy sandals afoot for summer

March 30, 2000
Web posted at: 5:43 p.m. EST (2243 GMT)

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Shoe designers are flaunting footwear that's sexy, sassy, and revealing. They're stepping into a new season with sandals, mules and thongs full of color and attitude.

French shoe designer Walter Steiger devotes almost his entire spring/summer 2000 collection to sandals, using clear vinyl bands and transparent plastic tube straps to create footwear that's futuristic, urban and sexy.

Those materials contrast with bare skin and pastel buckles and insoles, Steiger says. "It's a way to bring half natural skin and half color on the leg," he says.

Other functional fabrics include python, metallic patent leather and Lycra. In the stretch sandal, a large Lycra strap wraps around the ankle, giving the leg a sexy look.

Rossi: Looking well-heeled

Steiger's Italian counterpart, Sergio Rossi, says he's going for an elegant and chic effect with a sculptured heel that gently slopes backward. Color -- especially lavender -- enhances the style, he says.

"This year color is very important because fashion is very colorful," Rossi says. "People are tired of black; people want to be happier. Color brings happiness and joy."

Rossi divides his collection in four categories, beginning with " Desert Bloom." "It's a group influenced by South American embroideries," he says.

Colorful contrast beading, embroidery and woven seed pearls highlight that group. Mules and slingbacks are made of napa and exotic materials like crocodile and lizard.

" Metallica" is all about glitter and shine. Real crystal strands are paired with metallic leather in sexy styles.

" Carbon City" focuses on extra-high carbon heels, with unexpected color contrasts. Inner soles are in python and even pink velvet.

Rossi's monogram print sets off " Mod Squad." It's a modern version of a '60s style, combining blues, purples, greens, beiges and lilacs. Transparent plastic also sets off the colors.

"This," he says, "is our image for the future."

CNN Style Correspondent Elsa Klensch contributed to this report.

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Walter Steiger
Sergio Rossi

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