Brazilian shoe company Melissa’s simple formula: Plastic is fantastic
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Brazil’s most famous fashion exports are its supermodels (Gisele Bundchen and current fave Raquel Zimmerman), but sartorially the country is known for its beachy swimwear (Rosa Chá), flip-flops (Havaianas) and Melissa plastic sandals.
Melissa, based in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil’s southernmost state, has been making jellies for more than 30 years and its collection has grown from the familiar flats to pumps and booties with faux velvet detail. A men’s line of plastic sandals is to debut in stores next spring. Though still gaining recognition in the U.S., the shoemaker claims to have made more than 120 million shoes in 500 styles over the last three decades.
Lately, the shoe brand has been tapping into the design community, collaborating with guru Karim Rashid, architect Zaha Hadid and, most recently, with the artists and fellow Brazilians Fernando and Humberto Campana. (The Campana brothers’ sustainable shoes are available at Saks Fifth Avenue, priced at $79.) In fashion, the shoemaker currently is collaborating with Vivienne Westwood’s Anglomania on a new collection that will be in stores in August ($115 to $160) and with Brazilian designer Alexandre Herchcovitch.
For those who haven’t worn plastic sandals since the 1980s and remember it as a sometimes clammy experience, Melissa has trademarked a foot-friendly, thermo-malleable and flexible plastic. All the shoes are partially made with recycled materials -- the Campana brothers’ shoes feature 30% recycled PVC -- and can be recycled themselves. Most of the collection retails for less than $150 each. ‘The shoes are affordable luxury,’ says Michele Levy, president and chief executive of Melissa USA. ‘It’s the pleasure of walking into a store and finding something chic and stylish you can afford.’
Available at Saks Fifth Avenue, 9600 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 275-4211. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Wednesday and Friday. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. (714) 540-3233. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
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Photo: Anglomania for Melissa pump, $160 at Saks in August. Credit: Melissa Shoes