Madison Harding

By Suzanne Singer
August 13, 2010

Sometimes the relationships we make in college can be more life changing than we realize. This is certainly true for the designers behind hip shoe label Madison Harding. Barri Budin and Hilary Rosenman met while attending Skidmore College where they bonded over a shared love of fashion, design and music. After college Budin and Rosenman moved to NYC’s East Village where both found jobs in the fashion industry—Rosenman as a fashion market editor and Budin at a fashion showroom. Soon, the lack of “accessible high-fashion shoes designed for the downtown city girl” guided Budin and Rosenman to create their own footwear company, which they launched in 2007. The name comes from the streets on which they grew up. (Madison being the Avenue in NYC, Rosenman's home, and Harding the Drive in NJ where Budin was raised.)

Inspired by the Lower East Side and the music and art scene in New York City, Madison Harding “fuses vintage charm and downtown edge together” while still managing to look modern and cool. The line can be found at specialty stores nationwide and has also attracted a respectable list of stylish celebrity fans such as Chloe Sevigny, Lindsay Lohan, Rihanna, Leighten Meester, Lauren Conrad, Whitney Port and Ashley Simpson.

This Fall marks Madison Harding’s eighth season. While the shoes stay true to the designer’s unerring vision, they also embrace elements that are on trend. For Fall 2010, the themes are “rich colors, rich materials and strong roots. The collection was inspired by darkness, gypsy, black magic, outside environments, and natural elements.” This is visibly demonstrated by the use of materials such as lace and velvet in flats, wedge booties and oxfords. There are also super high platforms in both sandals and booties and suede boots in neutrals and bright, saturated colors, with and without Native American touches and whipstitching.

“We are both HUGE eBay fans!” Budin divulges. “I have been shopping on eBay since the very beginning and never stopped,” she adds. “My favorite eBay find is my faux fur 70s capelet and this amazing off the shoulder patchwork patterned blouse. If I see something that I am inspired by, a look or a vibe or a color, I do eBay searches to see what comes up. Sometimes, I look for something super specific. Fav word is def 70s! I [also] always check out eBay for books about interior design, old crafts magazines, album covers...all give me ideas about vibe, texture, color and and mood.” This season, she's “on the hunt for perfect jean shorts, flannels and I'm currently looking for the perfect old pair of fur lined apres ski boots.”

Budin’s eBay picks:

Roll over items for details

Vintage Ouija Board

“Ouija boards are a staple from childhood slumber parties growing up. They represent a mystic unknown and slight darkness...similar to the girl we had in mind when designing this collection.”

((from $4.28) )

Neil Young’s Harvest LP

“Nothing really captures fall like Neil Young for me. Harvest on vinyl especially captures the essence of the fall line...eerie, dark and emotional yet daring, straight forward and honest.”

((buy it now price, $34.99) )

Vintage Fox Fur Cape

“I am always looking for the perfect fur cape to wear with a t-shirt, jeans and amazing boots. Nothing really can compete with a perfect pair of boots besides an amazing and unique jacket or cape. I love the look of old jeans with anything luxe.”

((buy it now price, $319.04) )

Vintage Gold Snake Belt

“I pretty much wear chunky gold chains every day. My newest thing is buying vintage belts and wearing them as necklaces and wrapping long necklaces around the wrist and wearing as a big layered bracelet.”

((buy it now price, $195) )

Woodstock Handmade Houses by Robert Haney and David Ballantine

“I love the idea of mixing the outdoors with the indoors. I think of the fall line as a balance of those contrasting worlds...a little comfort, a little nature and a little luxury.

((starting bid, $3.99) )

Rosenman’s eBay picks:

Vintage Empire Puff Sleeve Lace Mini Dress

“Little vintage dresses are my favorite things to buy on eBay. Good vintage dresses are such an easy pick for a days’ outfit if I want to look cute but don't really want to have to think too much about it. It's great to have a lot of options and with eBay prices it's easy to stock up on them. I would even wear this white one with a pair of black tights in the Fall.”

((current, $9.99) )

Vintage Embroidered Babydoll Mini Dress

“Another really great vintage dress option from one of my favorite sellers.”

((current bid, $9.99))

Vintage Ascot Bow Blouse

“Really loving pairing a nice blouse with a pair of jeans or jean shorts. The bow makes this one extra cute.”

((buy it now price, $32.99))

Vintage Sterling Turquoise and Coral Ring

“Can't get enough of turquoise jewelry right now. Trying to beef up my collection and this silver ring would definitely be something that would catch my eye.”

((buy it now price, $24.99) )

Vintage Platform Wedges

“These are the perfect kind of shoes to get inspiration from! They have so many interesting qualities like the rubber wedge and the crazy tracking on the bottom. The shape is great too...love the oxford/loafer trend and putting it on a rubber wedge? LOVE LOVE.”

((buy it now price, $35) )

Classic Quilted Mini Bag

“Sometimes I also look for expensive designer items that I can find for a great deal. I would love a little Chanel bag like this one.”

((from $399) )

“I actually just started my own store on eBay called Merch of Manhattan that features a bio of weekly Manhattanite and a look inside their closet,” reveals Rosenman. “I keep this completely separate from MH though and only mention it because eBay has literally been my life lately. I search for everything on eBay. Mostly vintage dresses, vintage shoes (OF COURSE!), and tops. I’m really into wearing pretty blouses with jeans so I have been looking for a lot of those. I am also looking for turquoise jewelry and cool furniture.” And her searching style? “Usually I go to my favorite sellers to see what they have, then I will put in words like 'vintage dress' or 'vintage platform wedge' or 'vintage bohemian' or 'vintage hippie.' eBay plays [a] huge role in inspiring designs. We have been lovers of vintage shoes since we were young, which is one of the reason we became friends in college actually. Buying vintage shoes off eBay has inspired some of our most successful styles."

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