Ped fans, you’ve got to hand it to those Balouzians—they are one creative family! Before father Rafi founded Cydwoq and gained worldwide renown for his artistic handmade shoes, he was an architect. Following in his father’s footsteps (wearing fantastic shoes, no doubt), son Ari began designing eye-opening footwear several years ago, contributing to Cydwoq’s expanding line.

Rafi (left) and Ari (right).

Ari also continued to pursue music as a trained violinist and composer, collaborating on video productions and creating film scores. The name of his media company? Cliff Dweller. Now,  just as his father infused his architectural sensibility into Cydwoq’s designs, Ari is seeking to bring the unique aesthetic of his other creative endeavors to his shoes by launching the Cliff Dweller collection. Made by hand at the Cydwoq factory, with the same attention to materials and construction, Cliff Dweller boots, shoes, and sandals offer an edgy and modern twist on classic styles. Their inspiration comes from such eclectic sources as the city of Burbank, Dust Bowl Era work shoes, William Eggleston photographs, and films of the 1990s.

The results? See for yourself in Ped’s new Cliff Dweller selection! We are wildly, madly, head-over-heels in love them!

One thing you’ll notice right away is Ari’s interest in unusual treatments of vegetable-tanned leathers. The Cliff Dweller Runner will knock your socks off:

Are you swooning the way we are? The simplicity of this slip-on, with its elastic insets and single seam down the front, is attention-getting for its clean lines. But it’s the “Earth” leather, with shifting layers of teal, brown, and tan, that makes us sigh! (Ped also offers the Runner in “Desert Sky,” a rich brown with brushed grey strokes.)

Another kick-around shoe that has everyone at Ped HQ drooling is Cliff Dweller’s Thomas:

Ari’s interpretation of the moccasin is hip and swinging to the 9’s! It makes us think of what the Rat Pack might have worn poolside in Las Vegas. Yet for all its nostalgic charm, this easy flat is utterly modern and ideal for so many occasions. Just leave it by the door. (In addition to the luscious mustard shown, we have the Thomas in midnight blue—blue being the IT color of the season!)

Taking things in a slightly girlier direction, Cliff Dweller’s Norma is another lovely that simply slips on and looks terrific:

Taking a cue from father Rafi, who believes a woman’s arch is the sexiest part of her foot, Ari creates an open area of interest on the inside of this skimmer. Chic and lean, we love the Norma in midnight blue, but this sweetheart also comes in warm brown, both so versatile!

Requiring just an itty-bitty bit more work (adjusting a buckle), the Cliff Dweller Mary is Ari’s modern interpretation of a mary jane:

So much fun! My weakness for green is famous, and the luscious shade of this suede is fresh! I also love the rivet detailing and moccasin-like design. If green isn’t your cup of tea, you can opt for the Mary in sizzling red hot suede or cool midnight blue leather!

Finally, if you’ve been searching for the perfect travel sandal, your quest is over! The answer is Cliff Dweller’s Emma:

The Emma’s enclosed heel holds your foot securely, while the simple band up front lets your toes enjoy the breeze! The tie in front of the ankle adds sexiness, and the molded leather footbed keeps your soles happy mile after mile. The textured red leather version is spicy fun, but Ped also offers the Emma in go-with-everything chocolate brown.

What a bevy of beauties! When you put on a pair of Cliff Dwellers, your feet will feel right at home on the cutting edge!

We can’t wait to see what Ari has in store for us next fall!

Cliff Dweller founder and design genius, Ari Balouzian.

(Psst, did you see the spring-tastic Sweet Treat this week? It’s the sunny Vialis Elyse! Get a fresh 20% off by clicking “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to reach the Elyse with the magic code to enter at checkout!)

Ped fans, sorry to leave you hanging! We meant to give you another color infusion much sooner, but this, that, and the other thing kept us from it. Nevertheless, it’s never too late to sing the BLUES! Definitely one of the “it” colors, blue comes in myriad shades this fall. Let’s explore, shall we?

If anyone knows a thing or two about color, it’s Chie Mihara! Check out her blue-licious Zuli heeled oxford:

The platform may be ’70s retro, but the styling is utterly modern. The Zuli‘s combination of matte black leather (love the perforated edges!!!) and cobalt blue suede is mesmerizing!

Need something a little more conservative (but not too) for the office? Cydwoq’s Trasmit is just the semi-rebellious ticket:

How cool is this lake-blue pump? Sure, it’s “lady” enough to wear with jacket and skirt, but that faux croc toe let’s everyone know you’re ready to take a bite out of them with your style!

If you like that particular shade of blue but want something casual, consider lacing up the Cydwoq Display:

Cydwoq remakes the oxford in a new way, with angled edges and a squared-off toe! And the lake-blue leather once again looks luscious!

Cydwoq takes blue into boot territory with the terrific Statue:

The way the design shows off the natural edge along the exposed seams, in contrast with the Statue‘s inky blue leather, is stunning! What a rock star—this low boot will have people asking for your autograph!

Natural-edged seams also amp up  the charm of Trippen’s California bootie:

The tumbled leather of this back-laced lovely is sooooo soft, and the petrol hue is a muted teal blue. Fun, funky, and comfortable—Trippen does it again! Swing that fringe!

Another blue boot that will be your true-blue friend forever is Fiorentini + Baker’s Emmy:

As many of you have discovered, the quality of Fiorentini + Baker’s craftsmanship make their boots worth every penny! We particularly love how the Emmy‘s tough-girl design looks in this romantic Blue Moon color—as pretty as a night sky!

But maybe buckles, laces, and zippers are not what you have in mind; all you want is an easy slip-on in a cool color. Behold the Vialis Kate!

A clog unlike any other you’ll encounter—the leather-lined wool felt will bring the house down with its rich petrol color! But the Kate‘s beauty is more than skin deep; it also feels oh-so comfortable on, with a curved sole designed to roll with the motion of your stride!

Our last blue indulgence doesn’t quite follow the rules, but it’s just so cool we can’t resist including it! Take a gander at Trippen’s Treasure:

This brown boot gets its high-voltage “wow’ from its electric-blue edges! The exposed seams open and close to flow over the boot in wavy rivulets! Beyond gorgeous! When you want to wear a show stopper, your fortune lies in the Treasure!

So many blue-tastic choices—luckily, every option is a winner! Who knew having the blues could be so much fun?

(By the way, you have until Tuesday to snag this week’s blue-edged Sweet Treat: the Trippen Wind Boot! Click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Wind with the magic discount code that will bring a sweet 20% off at checkout!)

When I say the word “clog,” what comes to mind? I’ll tell you what I used to envision: comfy but clunky shoes standing in front of the bulk granola at the health food store.

But that was before VIALIS!

Those Spanish geniuses have taken the humble wood-soled clog and transformed it into blue-flame hotness, creating designs more appropriate for the catwalk than the checkout line at the co-op. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that!) What Vialis hasn’t changed is the comfort; every sandal and shoe offers mile after mile of blissful walking.

Plus, Vialis shoes are beautifully made with an eye to craftsmanship and detail. Check out this video that demonstrates why Vialis is so special:

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Is your curiosity piqued to see Ped’s new Vialis clogs? Get ready to have your socks knocked off (which is just fine because every pair feels fantastic barefoot)!

Let’s get this party started with a style that’s both sunny and sexy, Vialis’ Mimi:

The perfect companion for  your favorite summer dress or clamdiggers, this sandal will make everyone smile! A t-strap always elongates the leg line, but this one’s extra special, thanks to the central raised seam with contrast top-stitching—a little accent with big impact! (We also have the Mimi in versatile black.)

Vialis uses a similar detail to good effect in the Arabelle:

You know how much I adore a green shoe, and this shade makes me swoon! Then again, the Arabelle also sets off fireworks in red! And like every pair of Vialis clogs, a suede-covered padded footbed keeps the wood sole comfy!

If you prefer a closed toe, Vialis has you covered(!) with the Sara:

Mi corazon! This flirt of a shoe will win admirers everywhere you walk! We love the clean design, accented only by the exposed nail heads around the perimeter. Plus the seamed toe creates such an elegant line. (You noir lovers will be happy to hear this knockout also comes in black!)

Looking for something a little more casual but still smokin’? Feast your eyes on the Vialis Claudette:

Low key enough for work but still hot enough for after-five cocktails, the Claudette is an ideal go-to shoe. Wear it to run errands! Wear it to the Riviera! It’s as versatile as they come! (Plus we also have this beauty in azul blue.)

Not high on heels? Don’t worry, Vialis has something for you, too! How cute is the Sophie?

We love the playful take on oxford styling, especially the slightly oversized ribbon lacing! So fun!

If it’s color you’re after (and as I told you last post, it’s the wave of the future), drink in the loveliness of Vialis’ Lulu:

Oo la la, Lulu! Could that azul blue nubuck be any juicer? Only Vialis could spin the classic mary jane into such a dazzling clog!

But what about just a regular clog, you say? Well, yes, Vialis has that, too:

Lean, clean, and devastatingly chic—that’s the Vialis Claris! We adore the sage green nubuck, but this favorite clog also comes in go-with-everything sand.

So, clunk no more in traditional clogs! Step up to Vialis’ wood soles with soul!

(Speaking of wood, have you seen this week’s Sweet Treat, the Argila Allie? Its sculpted wooden heel is truly a thing of beauty—along with the rest of its retro-inspired design! Buckle it up for 20% off when you click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page, which will whisk you to the Allie with the magic discount code to enter at checkout.)

We went out with a bang last post by showing you Trippen’s knockout Strahl! A stunner, to be sure, but here’s the thing: ALL of Trippen’s new designs are a-maz-ing! This season those German geniuses have outdone themselves! The designs are eye-opening. The colors are dazzling. The leathers are supple. And, of course, the comfort is beyond compare!

But don’t take our word for it. Have a look for yourself!

One way to brighten any spring day is to buckle up Trippen’s Bora:

We can’t get enough of the magnolia plum color! The Bora is just the thing for tiptoeing through the tulips! (You’ll fit right in!)

Trippen also gives their leathers some extra oomph this season by coloring the edges, as demonstrated by the Army:

How cool are those blue edges? And how urban-edgy is the design? (That second strap from the bottom actually goes all the way around the instep!) This Army makes us want to join right up!

Want a sandal boot that’s even more rock ‘n’ roll? Give it up for the Trippen Agave:

Talk about grrl power! This spectacular boot is simultaneously badass and drop-dead sexy! Nothing’s hotter than a zipper up the back!

One of Trippen’s hallmarks is using the leather structure of their shoes to create visual artistry. Case in point: their new seamed flower toe, seen here on the Poppy:

Ped fans know how I am helpless to resist a green shoe! But if you’re not on team green, then perhaps you’d prefer the Peony in red or the Magnolia in blue-edged mocha—each varies in its heel and sole design, but fun flowers bloom on all their toes!

Speaking of toes with interesting details, check out Trippen’s Tetra:

Crafted in our fave black-ice leather, this flat is such a head turner! The laser-cut lines of dashes on the toe are like negative-space stitching and have the added benefit of giving your toes a breath of fresh air!

One of the juiciest new leather colors is red berry, which looks fresh and luscious on a favorite style from last summer, the Good:

YUM! The sliced leather and seaming are so innovative! The icing on this berry cake? Trippen’s t-shaped rubber wedge sole, which wins raves for comfort!

If you’re looking for a shoe to go with everything, you can still have Trippen’s wedge sweetness—just lace up the Sinus in versatile stone grey:

Wear this snub-nosed beauty to an art opening, and we guarantee the art won’t be the only thing being admired!

Even a simple sandal becomes something to write home about when given the Trippen treatment! Say hello the the stellar Careless:

Perhaps the best traveling shoe ever, this easy flat will keep your feet comfortable through a day of sightseeing and then be ready to dress up for dinner and dancing! The soft steel leather is a wonder to behold—and wear!

These beauties are only a few of the Trippen treats that await you at Ped’s main site! You don’t need a car to experience German ingenuity and engineering—simply slip on a pair of Trippen shoes and traipse out the door!

Fashion history is a treasure trove! Forward-thinking designers regularly sift through the past to recover earlier trends to reinterpret with a modern edge.

This season some of the best new shoes have their roots in the righteous ’70s, when women’s fashion took a turn for the bold! The precarious stilettos and tight-waisted “Suzy homemaker” dresses of the 1950s and early ’60s stepped aside for chunky heels worn out and about with minis, midis, and pantsuits! Refreshing then! Refreshing now!

Behold a few of the new designs that celebrate the sexy confidence of 1970s’ style!

One of the sunniest interpretations of the spirit of the ’70s is Argila’s Allie!

We are wild about the combination of the buckled and tasseled front (so vintage!) with the hand-cut and sanded wooden heel! And the color? You just have to smile!

Of course, Chie Mihara is the reigning queen of retro-licious beauty! Check out the  ’70s sensibility  of this season’s Xeroco:

The buckles add just the right punctuation to the broad straps! The sexiness is no-nonsense and take-no-prisoners! Devastating in the best kind of way!

Another great Chie ode to the 1970s is the Rumi (a perennial Ped favorite):

Ped’s Laura swears her fashion-forward mother had a pair of identical shoes back in the 1970s! Beautiful as they may have been, Laura’s mom’s couldn’t hold a candle to the Rumi because the modern version features Chie Mihara’s signature padded footbed, the ultimate in comfort! (Ask anyone)!

Coclico also riffs on the leather patchwork so popular in the ’70s in its Valencia:

What a looker! Absolutely distinctive yet ultra-versatile. Note the subtle curve of the chunky wooden heel—Coclico is always attentive to the details!

Coclico’se retro-sassy Vidal also features this gorgeous heel:

Talk about a statement shoe! The way the back strap and hardware twins the strap and hardware over the instep is ingenious!

Coclico also takes a tip from the 70s in its cork platform designs, like the Melania:

Light and comfortable, this beauty updates the vintage look of a platform wedge by creating it in the most modern of colors: flint grey!

Another stunning cork-soled number is Fiorentini + Baker’s swinging Ding Clog:

So fun, this fringed clog is crafted with the same meticulous attention to detail as F+B’s famous boots! The Ding was love at first sight for Ped’s Laura—she immediately bought it and has been wearing it nonstop! (She loves the terra cotta color of the Indian Red, but we also have the Ding in black, if that’s more your thing.)

Speaking of clogs, Trippen’s Strahl exemplifies what can happen when a designer takes retro inspiration and runs with it:

The Strahl‘s spark lies in the 1970s, but this work of art’s fireworks are thoroughly modern! We adore how the teal edges of the black leather are echoed in the patina of the rivets and the rubber on the outsole.

So, get in the mood by listening to James Brown’s 1972 hit, and then literally “Get on the Good Foot!” Your style will be far out! Dig it!

(Psst, another groovy design, though not ’70s inspired, is Fiorentini + Baker’s Pia boot, which is this week’s Sweet Treat. Make its gorgeousness yours for 20% off by clicking “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page, which will whisk you to the Pia, with the magic discount code to enter at checkout! What a great way to step into spring!)