As if it weren’t already difficult enough to differentiate among the millions of apparel designers in existence already, the last thing we really need (in this economy, anyway) is repetition. New York Fashion Week is nearing its close, and after saving on my computer about 200 looks from the shows so far, I can barely remember anything from what I’ve seen. What I can recall at the moment, though, is, styles that I just viewed a few minutes ago…

Case-in-point #1:

Individual images via style.com

Case-in-point #2:

Louis Vuitton image via style.com; Elie Tahari image from Vogue, March 2009

….don’t get me wrong. I love Matthew Williamson. It’s just unfortunate to have your work remind a viewer so fondly of another designer’s work from the not-so-distant past, that’s all.

Speaking of Matthew Williamson, he introduced a rather interesting shoe for Fall 2009. I don’t know what anyone else is dubbing it, but you can’t deny that it’s a cowboy (boot) sandal.

Image via style.com

Williamson also introduced this hybrid in a zebra print, because, we all know you can’t be a real cowgirl without flaunting some animal hide.

Image via style.com

And in case you haven’t been reading Suzy Menkes’ work, you shouldn’t be saving up all your paychecks to buy Fendi’s latest topstitched clutch or Chanel’s metal-sequinned 2.55 bag. The next “IT” accessory is the designer shoe.