Cutting-edge fashion designers have long been attempting to blur the line between art and fashion and, for the most part, several local boutiques are doing a pretty good job of supplying Milwaukee with the industry's latest creations. But what about when it comes to creative fashion for our feet?

Kate Blake, owner of the Third Ward's first shoe boutique, (shOO), is stepping up to the plate.

By early November, (shOO) will replace the children's store Sprout Incorporated in the 800-sq. ft. space at 241 N. Broadway Ave. Sprout is planning a move into the Dye House, 320 E. Buffalo St.

Although (shOO) is her first business, Blake has had a long-standing relationship with shoes. Earning a degree in fashion merchandising, she worked for years as a footware rep and buyer for companies such as Diesel and Steve Madden.

"I have been in the industry a long time and I knew that I always wanted to do this," she says. "When I moved to Milwaukee four years ago, I immediately saw the need."

Living in the Third Ward, Blake has watched high-end fashion boutiques open and thrive in what is now dubbed Milwaukee's "fashion district." But what good is finding the perfect skirt and blazer if you can't find a pair of shoes to complete the look?

"I want to provide the kinds of funky, unusual shoes that you can't get at our department stores," says Blake. With many major department stores now merging together, Blake says that they are able to get better pricing on common brands. The result? "Every department store is boasting the same shoe spread. It's boring!"

In an attempt to create the kind of shoe shopping experience that prompts the "I must have these!" response, Blake intends to carry brands that she describes as "almost like art." The majority of her inventory will be European, with labels out of Italy, France, Spain and London, England.

(shOO)'s women's lines include Lisa Nading, Gentle Soul, Audley, Giraudon, dKode, Miss Sixty and Cydwoq. Kenneth Cole and Mark Nason are featured for men, and kids can choose from lines like Aster, Naturino and Venetti. Lables such Diesel and Fly London have options for both genders and Tsubo, Palladium and Trippen offer selections for men, women and children.

(shOO) hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday except Thursday, when it is open until 7 p.m., and Sunday, when the hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Once the store opens, the Web site will be shoostore.com.