Your friends at Ped wish you and your loved ones joy and peace through the Holidays and into the New Year!!!!!! CELEBRATE!
(And just in case you missed it, through December 25, use code “Twinkle 10” at checkout to receive 20% off any full-price item.)
Ped fans, take a short break from holiday preparations or online ordering to watch this great video about our beloved Cydwoq, which we found posted at shoes.tv.
Isn’t Ari a doll? He’s the designer behind a lot of the latest styles coming out of Cydwoq, working alongside his dad, Rafi, as a true father-son team! Whenever we hear them talk about their philosophy and the effort they put into their shoes, it makes us so proud to carry Cydwoq! We’ve added a few new designs recently and gotten some of your favorites in new colors, so check out the freshest Cydwoq on the sidewalk:
You know by now that the oxford is the shoe of the moment, but Cydwoq’s Classic Oxford is really something special:
As Ari points out in the video, what sets Cydwoq apart is the cut and construction of the leather, as well as the internal architecture, which is so apparent in the way this oxford is put together. When I saw this design for men, I begged Rafi to adapt it for women, and he did! We love!
Another Cydwoq men’s design we cajoled Rafi into doing for women is the Sparta:
What a great lace-up bootie in beautiful washed grey leather! The Sparta’s so practical—easy to wear on all kinds of outings, and it’s sassy with skirts as well as stellar with jeans. (Bet you wish you’d had this number on when you went to pick out your tree!)
If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere unchallenged by wintry snow and ice (or if you carry your cool shoes with you to slip into after you’re out of your galoshes), you can’t beat Cydwoq’s brand new Smile Mary Jane for all-season cuteness:
Such a winner in every way, from the stylish ankle strap to the comfortable toe construction! If you have the good fortune to be going on a mid-winter vacation, this is the shoe to pack; it will take you through sightseeing during the day and out to dinner at night. Your tired feet will thank you for keeping them happy!
On the other hand, if what you really need is a good boot, you can’t go wrong with Cydwoq’s new Flood:
This Flood has everything to like: a practical mid-calf height; four adjustable buckles that require no fuss, thanks to an inside zipper; and twin exposed seams running up the back! Plus, the leather is emerald green!!! (You know how I love green…)
As for new colors, we now have the oh-so-chic Pi Bootie in antique silver (oo-la-la):
And the go-everywhere Buckle flat now comes in a to-die-for blue marble:
So whether you’re new to Cydwoq or a long-time fan, it’s a terrific time to indulge in a new pair! There’s nothing like shoes that feel good and that you feel good about wearing—which is the very essence of Cydwoq!
As you Ped fans know, we’re always on the lookout for new shoes and treasures to add to the Ped family. But our standards are almost impossibly high. Our checklist includes ethical and environmentally responsible production, exquisite craftsmanship (preferably by hand), first-rate materials, unusual design, style for miles, and comfort!
Which is why we are beside ourselves with joy to welcome Vialis into the Ped house!
Founded in Barcelona in 1996, Vialis (pronounced Vee-alis) quickly became known throughout Europe for beautifully made shoes designed to meet the demands of modern stylish women. Vialis’s shoe salons in Spain and France became shopping destinations, and in 2004, the company introduced their shoes to the global market. Opening eyes with unmistakable Spanish flair, every Vialis style is constructed from carefully selected leathers and other materials, meticulously put together by hand to create a show that feels just as spectacular as it looks!
Take a gander and you’ll see why we’re wowed!
Since our previous blog post was all about oxfords, let’s start with Vialis’s unconventional take on the classic:
Wow! The Mila shoe is simply the coolest thing going! So urban and edgy, its design suggests an oxford but foregoes the laces. You can tell how supple the leather is simply by looking at the picture (it’s that buttery)!
Moving on to our other must-have style of the season, Vialis puts an equally interesting spin on the ankle boot. First up, the Rambla:
So many things to like: the wooden heel, the exposed nail heads so perfectly placed, the folded-over cuff, and the double-D ring brass buckle in back (which you don’t even have to undo because Vialis has cleverly hidden elastic inserts to let you slip in and out of this bootie in a flash)! Color us enamored!
Perhaps your black bootie quota is filled, and you’re looking for a brown number instead. Then drink in the Guell:
Of course, we love the hand-cut wooden heel, but our favorite design element is the double-layer cuff /collar of this lace-up beauty. You have the option of wearing it down and letting the interior suede show or wearing it up, so it curves around the back of your ankle just so. Either way, people are going to want to steal the boots off your feet! (Don’t fall asleep on the train.)
Perhaps you’ve noticed at Ped HQ we’ve recently developed a thing for blue leather. We can’t get enough, and Vialis is happy to fuel our new passion with the Marcella bootie:
The acme of chicness! The combination of seaming and grosgrain piping gives this minimal boot maximal style! And, needless to say, the blue color is to die for.
Taking things a little taller, Vialis has created one of our favorite mid-calf boots ever:
The way Vialis combines a rich brown leather front with a caramel suede back in the Barceloneta Boot is so eye-opening! Ped’s Laura is beside herself with love for this wood-heeled beauty!
But we’ve saved Vialis’s most innovative design for last! Behold the totally rockin’ Fontana Boot:
Sure, it’s a gorgeous boot that’s ideal for chilly days with a faux shearling-lined suede shaft, but you can whip that off by unsnapping it from the bottom and wear the stylish clog-like shoe on its own! In a word, FABULOUS!!!! We love, we love.
The Spaniards certainly know a thing or two about making artistic shoes that are wonderfully feminine and utterly wearable (witness our other Spanish lines, Argila and Chie Mihara), but Vialis has put its distinctive stamp on Spanish style. We’re thrilled to add their winning personality to the Ped lineup!
As I mentioned in my last post, my favorite new look—so hot in Europe right now—is oxfords worn without socks and paired with either cropped pants or skirts! Simultaneously chic and casual! Of course, for lots of you the temperature is dropping, so you can always add funky tights or cozy socks to keep your ankles warm. The key ingredient is the oxford!
Happily, Ped’s designers have come up with endless variations on the classic menswear lace-up! Whether you like yours heeled or flat, embellished or plain, Ped is sure to have an oxford that’s right up your alley. Here are a few of our favorites this season.
The newest oxford in the Ped warehouse is Accessoire’s cutting-edge and comfortable Martial Oxford:
We love everything about this shoe from the inky blue color of the super-soft suede to the easy-going wedge sole (all the height and none of the hurt) to the subtle seaming over the toe and heel! The French always know how to turn a head.
Another especially arty oxford is Couple Of’s Shelly Oxford:
Now this is how to do black without getting boring! Couple Of excels at meticulously constructing a shoe with just the right details to take it out of the ordinary and into funky town! Cutting the outsole so it arcs over the toe and dips down behind the stacked-leather heel is pure design genius!
Of course, if you’re looking for a flat, no-nonsense oxford, there are still ways of doing that with style and flair. Presented for your approval, Fiorentini + Baker’s Eliza Oxford:
Although its design is straightforward, there’s something about this F+B classic that takes our breath away. Plus, we just received a shipment in our new favorite Rabbit Grey color (and it also comes in luscious Marine Blue).
You say like the simplicity, but you also appreciate a heel? Then Coclico’s got your number with the Bathan Oxford:
Between the fabulous chunky wooden heel, the sinuous curves and topstitching of the design, and the grey anthracite suede, there is just so much to like about this shoe! Just think of how many outfits it would enhance! (And, psst, it’s just about to become this week’s “sweet treat,” starting tomorrow, October 19! Be sure to click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to get to the Bathan with the magic discount code that will enable you to get 20% off at checkout.)
Another great heeled number is Argila’s rocking Lucie Oxford:
The caramel color is so rich! But this beauty also comes in black for you noir fans! Such a wonderful way to turn up the heat with the sexy schoolgirl look!
Although we think all of the above offer a feminine twist on the menswear look, we know some of you Ped fans like things a little frillier. As always, Chie Mihara is the BFF of girly girls around the world. With her Loti, you can have your oxford and ruffles, too!
And, needless to say, the royal blue leather is to die for!
The “o” in oxford has zero to do with being old-fashioned and everything to do with being on the cutting edge (au courant, if you will)! So, lace up and step out!
Hello, Ped fans! Sorry to leave the blog untended for so long, but I have the best possible excuse: I was shoe shopping for you in Milan and Paris! And, wow, is there a lot to look forward to next spring! Not only will Ped have the latest from your favorite designers, but we’re bringing back NDC from Belgium and adding Vic Matie sandals from Italy.
I began my style hunt in Milan, where the shoe show had an ultra-hip, retro-70s aesthetic.
So fun to look for shoes at the Micam show in Milan!
Of course, I ran into several of Ped’s treasured designers. It’s always a treat to see Chie Mihara!
Chie Mihara has such a great spirit—you just have to smile with her!
And here’s the lovely Ellen Verbeek, one of the latest additions to the Ped family. (If you haven’t checked out her gorgeous wood-soled boots yet, you really must!)
Ellen Verbeek is as beautiful as her designs!
After Milan, it was off to Paris for another shoe show (tis the season).
The Paris show's aesthetic was streamlined and modern.
I managed to get three of Ped’s favorites in one shot! Check it out:
Cydwoq's Rafi Balouzian, Chie Mihara, and Trippen's Michael Oehler—what a design-tastic trio!
You may be wondering what trends I discovered. Well, next spring is going to be very colorful; I ordered shoes in red, yellow, grey, teal, navy, caramel, along with lots of metallics, which continue to sizzle. Look for studded detailing on bags and shoes. Also, wedge heels—both wood and cork—are all the rage. And Chie’s line for Spring 2011 features lots of contrast stitching and mixes of suede and leather.
Perhaps my favorite trend is oxfords worn with skirts or cropped pants and no socks! Love that! Two looks I don’t care for, though, are thick socks with heels and nylons worn with peep-toe wedges. Ugh!
I became a little obsessed with photographing the wide range of shoes the buyers and sellers were wearing at the show. Here’s a sampler of what the shoe pros were sporting in Paris:
Honestly, two of the best parts of the day were walking to and from work because my route let me stroll through the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries, which looked particularly spectacular blooming with fall flowers.
Aahhh, I love Paris in the autumn!
(By the way, in case you haven’t discovered it yet, this week’s “sweet treat” is Ellen Verbeek’s knockout Camille Boot! Get 20% off this Belgian stunner by clicking “be sweet to your feet” in the top right corner of any Ped page, which will instantly take you to the Camille and the sought-after discount code!)
