Today’s post is a guest post by my friend Christy, a native New Orleanian, who also maintains Slow Southern Style NOLA, a blog dedicated to southern fashion.
“Fashion and design are art. They enclose different manifestations and tell the story of our time. They are simply everything.”
-Fernando and Humberto Campana
When you think plastic shoes two things come to mind: cheaply made torture devices and/or tacky jelly sandals. I had completely written them off until I stumbled upon Melissa. Made in Brazil, these shoes are manufactured via a closed loop system. From start to finish every process is scrutinized from an ecological standpoint which results in almost zero waste. They are also pioneers with Melflex: a hypoallergenic, nontoxic plastic that retains these qualities after recycling. Not only is Melissa committed to environmentally smart production methods but the company goes one step further and collaborates with a myriad of Brazilian artists and designers such as Vivienne Westwood.
I purchased the Melissa Campana flats this summer and have a hard time opting to wear anything else! The Brazil based Campana brothers were named the 2008 designers of the year by Miami Design and it is easy to see why. Their work possesses comforting repetition and controlled chaos utilizing familiar yet unexpected fabrics. The collaboration with Melissa fully embodies their aesthetic as the shoes are composed entirely of squiggly lines that look more ballet flat than jelly and are completely breathable. While they won’t keep your feet dry, they act as a quick drying rain shoe, perfect for unexpected late summer/ early fall showers.
Pick them up locally at Lady Soho in Metairie, Louisiana or online at Eco-Tobi.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Flats are my favorite shoes. I walk everywhere so heels are big no-no for me. I love the red flats feature here. Thank you for sharing!
Those shoes are a must-have, my friend.
Leslie, they’re a must-have indeed. I caved and bought the grey wedges… my current go-to comfy wedges are wearing out anyway, and those are the perfect shoe to wear with anything!