My dear friend and former Marc by Marc Jacobs shoe designer Valeria McCulloch, aka ValBlu, is all about the color blue. Yves Klein indigo to be exact. Everything she wears, owns, and sometimes designs is blue. Sharpie even named a marker after her (below).

What we find most fascinating is that she actually colors in her favorite shoes if they are not already blue. Here is an inside look into her fascinating creative process.

ValBlu sharpie-coloring her Chanel ballets

Seriously!

Formerly seersucker, now blue, Louboutin pumps

Blue ruby slippers she designed for Marc Jacobs

grey Hermes wedges she sharpied blue

ValBlu profiled in New York Magazine

Valeria “ValBlu” McCulloch
Shoe Designer. Yves Klein blue.

Originally published 18 February 2008, New York Magazine

Why blue?
In college, I majored in color theory. Blue was the most interesting color, historically. Germanic tribes wore it to ward off enemies; Christians used it to denote divinity. Wearing blue for me is being in a dream all day.

Do you make your own blue shoes?
I go to leather fairs and have the factory make me shoes. I also buy white Chanel and Christian Louboutin shoes, and I color them blue with custom-ordered electric-blue Sharpies.

Do you wear blue makeup?
I wear YSL No. 3 mascara, Chanel Blue Satin nail polish, and blue Lancôme lip gloss, which looks clear when you put it on. And my bathroom products are blue, like my toothbrush.

Does the color reflect your personality?
Blue signifies loyalty, and I’m very loyal. It’s hard in this industry, but I’m a humanist.

There was a lot of electric blue in recent seasons.
It’s getting trendy. When it hits “mass,” it’s a turnoff.

What do your friends think?
My friend studied photography, and I was part of her thesis. She did a color study and took photos of me.

What color is your apartment?
My living room is neutral, but just go into my bedroom. I have a blue Nintendo, bedside table, suitcase, pillow, BlackBerry. And I collect blue gemstones. People once believed that sapphires had healing properties.

How does blue make you feel?
Blue is a peaceful color. The U.N. has a blue flag; all the presidential campaigns have blue. It touches every realm of life, from cosmic to future.

1. Spray Bumble + Bumble Surf Spray onto damp clean hair.

2. Blow dry or air dry as desired. Do not brush.

3. Take your hands around a small front lock of hair (about a pencil in diameter) and rub vigorously back and forth, just as you would if you were gambling and you’d just tossed the dice. Rub and repeat as desired.

4. Continue throughout the day as you like.

5. Spritz with Bumble + Bumble Tonic. Voila!

1. TOMS Shoes Comfier than Vans, lighter than a flip flop, and way more charitable than any other fashion company, TOMS are my favorite summer shoe for everyday wear. An instant classic up there with Haviannas, Reefs and your gladiator sandals. Every pair you buy for your cute little feet, guarantees a FREE pair to child in need. www.tomsshoes.com

Toms Shoes

2. Essie Nail Polish in Short Shorts When you’re not covering your toes with Toms, paint them neon pink, to go perfectly peeking out from your black Alaia strappy heels.

Who wears short shorts? We wear short shorts!

3. Bumble + Bumble Surf Spray Who you callin’ Surfer Girl? Whether you live at the beach and actually know how to surf, or never leave your Tribecca loft, this product will give your hair the just-swam-in-the sea-and-air-dried-on-the-beach texture and feel.

4. Neutrogena UltraSheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 80 Do what your mother says: cover up and protect your baby soft skin from the sun. This UVA + UVB blocker is so light that you don’t feel it at all, and it doesn’t let in any harmful rays. Editors choice of Allure magazine, it is also endorsed by the American Cancer Society. Another tip: squeeze some zinc oxide onto the bridge of your nose, and across your cheekbones, life guard style, to really create an opaque shield.

5. L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Now that you’re covered in sunscreen doesn’t mean you must forgo your tan. Quite the opposite. Layer on this self tanner and watch your inner bronze blossom. Try mixing half and half with a basic body lotion and the effects are a little more subtle and elegant.

Work your inner Brazilian

6. Rope Bracelets Need we say more? A classic that will surely say “I’ve been at the beach all summer” even if you haven’t been at all.

Naughty Yachty!

7.  Ice Cream Memorial Day through Labor day, the best ice cream one can experience is served up at Four Seas in Centerville on Cape Cod. Bordering the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, this is where Caroline Kennedy’s ice cream was from that was served at her wedding. Try Mint Chip, Coconut, Mocha Chip, Fresh Peach and Peppermint Stick. The lobster roll is the best one I’ve ever had.

Best Cape Cod lobster roll and ice cream

8. Alex Katz Beach Towel By Works on Whatever. Soft, plush and stylish. Wide enough to sunbathe a deux. Available at The Standard Hotel in Miami or Shop Works on Whatever.

Works on Whatever towels

9. Hugo Guiness canvas tote from John Derian.

10. Hermes Eau d’Orange Verte Refreshing, lite, and lemony. You can’t over-do this when it’s hot out.

Fragrance as refreshing as a Hendricks gin gimlet

Biking in Cape Cod, Mass. Photo Edie Vonnegut

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