Giles Deacon joins the A/W 2010 trend of designer socks

Autumn/Winter 2010 saw the rise of outrageously-priced designer socks and leggings. After Rodarte's $500 (417 euros) multicolored hand-crocheted socks, Cacharel's $145 (110 euros) stirrup-style ones and Rachel Comey's $220 (167 euros) leather socks, Giles Deacon has also hopped onto the bandwagon and revealed his own twist on the wardrobe essential.

The established British designer - who has worked for Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Gucci - teamed up with the Swedish company Happy Socks to roll out seven pairs of socks with googly-eyed designs and other whimsical, cheeky prints.

From December 1, the limited edition "weeks worth of socks" - for each day of the week - are on sale via Happy Socks' Web site for $110 (83 euros). Only 1,000 of the socks, which are presented in a collectible and numbered box, are up for grabs. The socks are made from 80% combed cotton, 17% polyamide, and 3% elastane and come in both men's and women's sizes. Additionally, in commemoration of World's AIDS Day (December 1), a minimum of 25% of the proceeds will go directly to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Socks became the must-have accessory starting last spring when Chloe and Givenchy showed them on the catwalks. A major fashion trend for A/W 2010 is pairing heavy, chunky socks with open-toed sandals. Other high-end retailers who offer toasty designer foot-warmers this season include Prada (whose cable-knit socks retail for $155, or 117 euros), Ralph Lauren (whose cashmere socks retail for $200, or 152 euros), Oscar de la Renta (whose silk and cashmere check tights sell for $990, or 750 euros) and Stella McCartney (whose woolen lace knit tights sell for $625, or 474 euros).

Buy Giles Deacon for Happy Socks online here:

http://www.happysocks.com/us/product/category-giles_x_happy_socks/giles-deacon-box