Shoe lover's shop for shoe lovers

The first thing you'll notice about Kristen Greczyn's new shoe boutique is the decor. It's about as lush and gorgeous as the shoes.

The whole place is a feast for the eyes -- glittery shoes that you want to touch, oversized handbags with soft leather and suede, a big inviting couch that you'll want to do more on than just try on shoes -- all in rich colors giving it a big-city-shopping feel.

For anyone who has been trying to peek through the brown paper wrapping on the windows of Kristen's Shoe Boutique, the boutique opens Tuesday at The Arboretum in Cary, next to Ciao Bella.

Greczyn, a former stay-at-home mom, has put a year into creating the store -- from coming up with the concept to researching and buying shoes. For at least a week, the store has looked ready to open. Most every shoe is in place; handbags are arranged on shelves just so; everything is painted; and the furniture is in place. Greczyn simply wanted to make sure every detail was finished before she opened.

In addition to paying serious attention to decor, she's stocked the store with big-name designer shoes ranging in price from about $200 to $500. On the list: Nanette Lepore, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Olivia Rose Tal, Beverly Feldman, Loeffler Randall, Isaac Mizrahi, Hollywould, Oh Deer! and Claudia Ciuti.

Many of the brands are already sold in the Triangle. But what makes the selection different is how each shoe designer's collection is edited, says store manager Kim Brown. They're simply among Greczyn's favorites. "I would wear every one of these shoes," she says

Which is a good thing for shoppers. Greczyn is an admitted shoe lover, with more than 200 pairs at home.

She also loves handbags, and the store has a wide range by designers such as Donald J. Pliner, Rafe and Francesco Biasia.

Greczyn already has her first trunk show planned. Look for shoe designer Ann Roth at the store Oct. 4 taking orders for custom espadrilles.

Wang takes wing

Vera Wang has a busy week ahead.

The New York fashion designer will have her spring/summer 2008 runway show Friday at Bryant Park, all part of New York Fashion Week that runs Wednesday through Sept. 12.

Then two days later she'll push her growing empire even further with the debut of her first collection of Simply Vera: Vera Wang at Kohl's.

It's another example of Wang's savvy branding strategy. She has her name on wedding dresses, eyewear, china, fine papers, intimate apparel, fragrances, fine jewelry -- even mattresses.

So it only made sense to create a line of apparel and shoes aimed at middle America.

And it looks as if she's giving shoppers the real deal. The collection is very Vera -- full of relaxed shapes and whimsical styling, heavy on layering with rich, textured fabrics.

The pricing is a tad higher than what shoppers are used to from designers at Target and H&M. But even with the higher prices, Vera's collection still can be lumped in with other cheap-chic collections.

A double-breasted brocade car coat is the most expensive of the bunch at $138. You'll also find a long-sleeve silk blend T-shirt for $34, a pair of heeled Mary Janes for $69.99, a belted jersey-knit dress for $78, jeans for $50 and a black boyfriend jacket for $98. The collection also includes an array of blouses, skirts, scarves, coats, hats, bras, panties and opaque tights.

The fall collection hits stores Sunday.