Shoes In Plastic - It’s Fantastic
My little soiree at StyleXchange and Little Burgundy totally opened up my eyes to new shoe designs that are beyond that high end mark. After a while of perusing through endless booties and stilettos that cost thousands of dollars, it’s kind of refreshing to see that even at an affordable price point, really nice things can be executed still with style and consistency.
Which is the case with Melissa Plastic Dreams, a Brazilian shoe brand who makes shoes out of sustainable, eco-friendly plastic shoes. Although new to me, Zaha Hadid (the designer) has been in the business for over 25 yrs, winning coveted awards, appearing in numerous magazine (including Frame Magazine, which is my “mecca” of architecture and design magazines) and even released capsule collections for Vivienne Westwood Anglomania.
The shoe designs are cute and have distinct shapes, some models are repeated with different colors and patterns or with slight modifications, pretty much like what Christian Louboutin is doing with his own collections, only they cost a fraction of the price. You won’t find any super high stiletto pairs, however you will find the cutest flats and wedged models, giving them an aesthetic of timeless modern shoes.
Her velvet shoes are also an exclusive patent she created for velvet lovers, which are water-resistant and keep that nice little shine that velvet usually tends to give off.
To say the least, the shoes are amazing and if it weren’t for last night, I wouldn’t have discovered Melissa and wished they had the full line since there are so many pairs I would definitely buy.
Currently, I only know of Little Burgundy carrying some models as well as Boutique U&I. Melissa is set to have a new online shop soon, although it doesn’t say if it’ll be open to Canadian residents, let’s cross our fingers that it will!
Image credits: Melissa Plastic Dreams
NYMag Tests Out Fall’s Craziest Shoes
Online Shoe Store Bonanza
Gap’s new online shoe store. Fun layout, I like it already.
More online shoe stores are being added to the mix and this time a couple of them are from well-known popular brands like Gap and Amazon.com. I was forwarded a video link to Washington Post writer Ylan Mui’s report, which encouraged the notion that clothing brands are solidly making their move online. With the runaway success of Zappos.com’s business model of free shipping and returns, these online shoe sites are also rewarding you for shopping there either by giving you a $5 discount to getting a Thank You note in your shoe box. Looks like they’re looking to give Zappos a run for their money!
Piperlime - Owned by Gap Inc.
Very clean site, easy to navigate and has a nice selection of shoes ranging from $50 to $300. US Shipping Only.
Endless - Owned by Amazon.com
Also well organized and prices range from $14 to $800. US Shipping Only.
Simplysoles - Washington D.C.-based
What Ylan calls a boutique online shoe store, handpicked by the owner Kassie Rampel, with a price range of $100 and up. Can Ship To Canada (yes!)
Mona Moore - (a play on words of “Mon Amour” which means “My Love”) Montreal-based
This boutique holds an eclectic mix of handpicked designer shoes and accessories. This is not for frugal but you won’t find brands like Lanvin, Balenciaga, Marni, Pierre Hardy and Miu Miu like here. Prices start $100 and up. 1446, rue Sherbrooke Ouest.
Of course, for Canadian shoppers, we’re all wishing some online Canadian stores would get their act together and try to be as innovative as our neighbors down south, unfortunately it’s not happening fast enough. I did find a Canadian blog that listed numerous Canadian shoe brands and sites who do process orders online.
Happy Shoe Hunting!
Convertible Heels on The Go
Imagine having to drive yourself at a fabulous party but always have to lug around another pair of shoes just because you need a flat pair to drive your car or take the subway. That’s always a concern of mine when I wear my nice shoes and use public transportation, I’m afraid to trip and fall on the unsteady platforms all because I wanted to wear nice heels.
Here’s a proposition that one UK Car Insurance group, Sheila’s Wheels, came up with to solve the solution: a convertible shoe that turns from flat to stiletto from whipping out the heel from the bottom of the shoe.
Convertible heels, the next step in shoe design?
Ta dah! Instant glamour.
Being a mere prototype, we’re not really sure if they’re as comfortable as both heel and flat, but they sure do look cute. I can see this working in the long run, it’s highly convenient and efficient. 2 pairs in 1, how can you go wrong?
Sheila’s Wheels are working on developing the project, but there aren’t any specific dates when these babies will be available. Here’s to another step to shoe evolution.
[via TreeHugger.com]
