At Ped, we’re always on the lookout for those rare designers who adhere to socially and environmentally responsible practices while making beautifully crafted items with scads of style. So, we went right over the moon when we discovered Argila, a wonderful shoe line featuring beautiful leathers and meticulous workmanship produced in designer Pep Monjo’s hometown of Menorca, Spain! We first introduced Argila to the Ped lineup last spring, and now we’re back with round two for fall. Let us just gush for a minute because these shoes and boots are truly something special!

Argila’s Maya is the holy grail of women’s shoes—a comfortable heel that’s conservative enough for the office but still lets you express your individuality (because who wants to be a corporate cog?). The leather is such a rich smoky grey, and it goes with absolutely everything. The t-strap is a classic style, but the details set this beauty apart, from the perforated leather at the front and back to the suede-wrapped heel to the circular buckle at the ankle. We can’t stop sighing.

Maybe your career let’s you be a little more badass—or maybe you like to shed your work clothes and get your ya-yas out after hours! If so, look no further than the Argila Katrine. This rockin’ ankle boot will make everyone around you catch their breath—it’s that stunning! We love the way the black leather suggests just a hint of bondage with the way it crisscrosses the taupe boot.

Speaking of beautifully cut leather, Argila’s Sadie is a veritable work of art with the way its chocolate leather radiates at an angle across the toe box and arches over the heel. It’s got a vintage feel but is thoroughly modern (check out the beautiful line of the heel). The schoolgirl look was never sexier!

Finally, Argila’s Josephine boot is perhaps our favorite black short boot of the season (although, admittedly, there are a lot of other beautiful ones at Ped). Again, it’s Argila’s attention to detail that sends this knockout over the top. We are especially smitten with the lace-less brass rivets running up the front of the boot—so very cool!

Such smoldering styles coming out of Spain! Argila es muy caliente!

Ped fans, don’t forget there are just two days left in Ped’s Bag Sale. Tote one of our Cydwoq, 49 Square Miles, or Jutta Neumann lovelies away while you can because they’re back to full price after August 19!

At Ped, we love a long, luxurious summer as much as anyone, but we get pretty excited when fall starts to feel just around the corner. One of our first indications is when the upcoming season’s shoes start arriving at the warehouse—it’s so much fun to open the boxes and feel the “wow”!

Our current queen of “wow”? Chie Mihara! Based in Spain, Chie knows how to take vintage romance, spice it with old-school sex appeal, and turn it all into a wearable shoe that will have every eye in the room admiring your lovely feet. Chie Mihara heels charm with the most beautiful leathers and interesting details but never at the expense of comfort.

And this season, Ms. Mihara has outdone herself. We just got in our fall styles, and each and every one made us swoon. See for yourself! Here are just a few of Ped’s latest from our lady of Spain:

Drink in the loveliness of Chie’s Nerine! We took a poll at Ped HQ, and the vote was unanimous: none of us has ever seen a go-with-everything shoe that’s quite so pretty and flirty and unusual! The elephant grey suede is easy to wear, but the sweet floral detail makes this heel a head-turner. Never a more gorgeous Mary Jane than Nerine!

When Ped’s Laura saw Chie’s new Saura, she said, “It must be mine! After all, it rhymes with my name—it’s meant to be!” And we have to admit, the design is everything she likes: feminine without being fussy, striking in its color combination, and drop-dead sexy. The subtle leather embossing and the mix of the deep purple toe with the tan body and brown heel make the Saura a knockout. Lace it up with the grosgrain ribbon tie, and, well, “sexy secretary” has never looked sexier!

Get ready, this fall black is back and better than ever. Witness Chie’s sweet and girly Piet ankle boot! Although we love Chie’s way with color (nobody better), the woman also knows exactly what to do to make a black heel stand out from the crowd. The gently pleated leather on the toe and ribbon tie at the ankle send this boot into the stratosphere of style! So saucy!

Those are just three of the sweethearts in Ped’s fall Chie Mihara lineup, and we honestly can’t pick a favorite among them. They’re all stellar! Ms. Mihara’s shoes usually fly out Ped’s door, and we never know whether or not she’ll be able to fulfill a reorder (given the time and craftsmanship that go into each shoe, it’s often not an option). So word to the wise: snag your size while you can.

Ped fans, happy spring and have I got good news for you!! As I mentioned in my last post, Ped is extremely selective about the lines we carry. Whatever we bring you not only has to offer stellar style and comfort, it also has to meet Ped’s high standards for craftsmanship, ethical production, and environmental awareness. No easy feat! So, we are over the moon to add TWO new lines to Ped’s inner circle! Both are spectacular!

Pep Monjo, founder of Argila, studied design in Italy and collaborated with some of Europe’s most innovative footwear designers before returning to his hometown of Menorca, Spain, to found his own company. Made from the most beautiful handpicked leathers (you can practically feel the quality just by looking at the pictures), all of Argila’s shoes are crafted right in Menorca! And are they ever gorgeous!

I could live in Argila’s Ella sandal this spring and summer. There’s nothing better than a practical sandal that goes with everything in your closet and yet still shines with unique personality. 

Those of you who need or simply like a dressier look are also in luck. 

Argila’s Alana T-strap sizzles with clean-lined simplicity! Although it can pass for conservative, this heeled beauty will turn every head in the room! And the leather is cut and stitched just so (use the “zoom” at the site to see what I mean). 

Joining Argila in the Ped line-up are bags from San Francisco’s 49 Square Miles. Named for the area the city occupies, 49 Square Miles designs bags that capture the spirit of SF’s people and culture. So, you know they’re colorful and cutting-edge! Plus, they’re handcrafted from the most deliciously touchable leather you can imagine. I mean, really—everyone at Ped HQ is swooning over how these bags feel!

This Bookworm Slim Tote is flat-out irresistible! Between the color and the details (I am especially smitten by those organic brass rings) and the fact that it can hold everything you could possibly need, what’s not to love?

Then there’s the Crossbody Sling:

Could anything be fresher for spring than this grab-it-and-go bag with its eye-catching color and top-stitching? At Ped, we love it when function comes with big ol’ jolt of ‘zazz!

So, hop on over to the site and have a drool over both Argila and 49 Square Miles. They are worthy!