A woman’s right to shoes

In one episode of Sex and the City, Sarah Jessica Parker defends her right to choose. When she attends a baby shower, featuring a grown-up Tatum O’Neal as a mother with cleanliness issues, she’s asked to remove her shoes so as not to bring in outside dirt. Hours later, the party ends and it’s revealed that her Manolo Blahniks were stolen (which, in Carrie’s case, isn’t the first time – in an earlier season, a mugger tells her to remove her Manolo Blahniks, forcing Carrie to walk home barefoot in the dirty streets of New York). When the host refuses to pay for them because of the price tag – a staggering $485 – claiming she has more important things to take care of, like her children and home, while Carrie is busy prancing about in expensive shoes, Carrie feels slighted and complains to her three friends over brunch: "She shoe-shamed me!"

While women certainly don’t make the conscious decision to choose shoes over children – clearly Sex and the City is a show prone to exaggerating things to a ridiculous degree (but we love it anyway!) – there are many who are criticized for their choice in pricey footwear. Spend more than a few thousand on a pretty pair of pumps and suddenly you’re Imelda Marcos, throwing away government funding on designer footwear. Except, you know, not.

The guilt that often comes with purchasing beautiful shoes is much like the kind that comes after finishing off an entire carton of ice cream in one sitting: If people only knew you what you did during your private time they wouldn’t sit next to you in church. Which is ridiculous! You earned that money, didn’t you? (Unless your sugar daddy gave it to you, which means you earned it anyway). So just turn a blind-eye to those clog-wearing critics and make like a Carrie. In case you’re not a SATC fan, that means go out and shop.

If the shops haven’t been doing it for you lately, take a gander at these up-and-coming shoemakers. From sleek, stunning pumps to comfortable flats, these designers cover every range, from inexpensive synthetic (although still very cute) to high-end, all-leather or snake skin footwear. With so many choices, the only thing to do is shop, shop, shop. So when you suddenly leave the country carrying only your jewels, you can pull an Imelda and say, "They went into my closets looking for skeletons, but thank God, all they found were shoes, beautiful shoes."

Label

Seasoned models know a thing or two about fashionable footwear. After all, they live, breathe and die in them. Well, hopefully not die in them. With professional model Nicolette Bell behind the helm of one of footwear’s rising labels, style may play a large part in design, but comfort always has the last word. "Because of my career, it is so difficult to walk the ramp when you’re not comfortable with what you’re wearing," says Nicolette. "The shoes have to be tested first for comfort before being manufactured." Now, with about 30 designs available, all in really cute, retro styles (check out their adorable wedges), this label has nowhere to go but up.

Mod squad: Professional model Nicolette Bell and polo and bag manufacturer Lulei Avecilla as designers

Cobbler credo: The definition of class, comfort and style

Price range: P1,250 for flats, P1,500 for ballet shoes, P1,700 for stilettos, P1,800-P2,000 for wedges and pumps. Custom-made shoes cost more.

Material girl: We only use pure leather. And we recently discovered python, which we now use for our wedges.

Starting point: The everyday complaint of "I have nothing to wear" started it all. Lulei and I used to go shopping, but couldn’t find a pair of shoes that was fun and elegant, so we tried to produce some for our use. We’ve been friends for a long time and so we decided to venture into something that we both liked. That was how Label was born.

First and last stop: Our first was a pair of pink and gold pumps, which we called the "Champion," since it is one of our favorites, while the last pair we made was a python abaca wedge. They’re so unique and classy. I love them!

Signature pair: The croc wedge

Master craftsman: Actually, we designed shirts before getting into footwear. And besides, I think we were born artists. Shoe-designing came naturally.

In season: Our new collection, branded "High Stake," was used in the Alliance fashion show.

Contact: www.labelmanila.com, 0915-4461043

SnS

Partners (and fiancés) Timtam Mendoza and Franklin Lu began as retailers of clothes shipped direct from China. After discovering the magic of Marikina, Timtam’s been able to create anything and everything – from pretty, low-key, lounging sandals to sophisticated, stiletto-heeled pumps. "I create styles based on personal taste. Each pair we offer is something I would wear," she says. "Because if I won’t wear them, then who will?"

"Our designs have become either more ornate or classy, with the use of details that matter," adds Franklin. "Our shoes now have more character." Now, the couple is striving for something no other shoe retailer has before: the success of SM with the vibe of Manolo Blahnik. Talk about ambitious.

Mod squad: Timtam Mendoza on designs, Franklin Lu on materials and concept research

Cobbler credo: We have the best of what you want, both in price and style.

Price range: P300 for sandals, P2,500 for high-end, made-to-order formal shoes (depending on style and material)

First and last stop: Our first shoe was a wedge slide with tri-color straps and a molded sole, while the most recent was a hemp-soled mule (espadrille) with beads.

In season: At the moment, we are experimenting with indigenous materials. We want to help the Philippine economy while we go about our business.

Find them at: 244.126 Fashion Market, 2nd floor, Market Market, Fort Bonifacio, Global City; 25 Diamond Lane, 3rd level, Shoppersville Arcade, Greenhills Shopping Center; 50th avenue, 3rd level, Robinson’s Galleria East Wing

Contact: 758-2634

Sapato Manila

When shoemakers refer to "Marni, Calvin Klein, Miu Miu and Sergio Rossi" as their influences because of their "hip, classic and clean lines", you know they’ve got to be good. This four-person team called Sapato Manila brings different ideas to the table. Some are housewives, others are entrepreneurs. Each of them is imaginative, practical and down-to-earth – attitudes that are represented in their price range and their no-nonsense approach to footwear. "Comfort is clearly more important," remarks one of the Sapato women. "What is style when you can’t wear it?"

Housewives and working girls can now breathe a sigh of relief as these comfort women try to add a stylish twist to office and casual footwear. "Since the four of us have varied tastes, we end up catering to a broader base of people." That means better styles at bargain prices. Finally, a cause we can all get behind.

Mod squad: Jennifer Calma-Sarmiento (designer), Joyce Crisologo-Mendoza (marketing), Theresa Santos (finance) and Nikki Yuson (merchandiser)

Cobbler credo: Stylish, hip, fun and affordable footwear

Price range: P800 for ballet flats, P1,000 for shoes with heels, P800 - P1,000 for abaca wedges, P1,200 - P1,400 for classic flats, P1,500 for wooden wedges.

Material girl: We use leather, snakeskin, fabrics, wood, synthetic materials like plastic and leatherette, and natural materials like abaca and raffia.

First and last stop: The first shoe we designed was an abaca wedge with a gold leather ankle strap, while the most recent shoe is called the "Fantastic Plastic" shoe. 

In season: For our latest collection, we made use of Igorot-print fabric for our ballet flats. We try to take ethnic materials and add a modern twist to it.

Contact: sapatomanila@gmail.com, 0927-9148237

Tenorio Manila

 Graphic designer turned shoemaker Brian Tenorio knows what cool and sexy is all about. As the Philippine correspondent of Italy/New York-based United Colors of Benetton’s Colors magazine (with 250,000 copies in 65 cities, in eight languages) and general man-about-town – he spent some time in Europe to relax and do some research after a brief hiatus in New York – he understands something about women that few other designers don’t: That every woman deserves a sleek, sexy shoe. Just like the classic little black dress, except this time more sexy and sophisticated rather than classic and buttoned-down, Brian’s high-heeled, patent leather-wrapped, modern footwear is perfect for a night out partying or a day spent climbing the corporate ladder. "I think our designs are cerebral and very conceptual," he adds. Only superlatives matter to this team of craftsmen, when it comes to actualizing designs. All three-inch heels are wrapped in leather or snakeskin.

On the footwear war between style versus comfort, Brian is surprisingly frank. "Personally, I’d say style. With very, very beautiful shoes that aren’t exactly your style (because the size isn’t available, haha), perch yourself on the sofa and wait for everyone else to come to you." Simple, confident and direct – the true trademark of Tenorio footwear.

Mod squad: Brian Tenorio (design principal), Angel Escaño (sales and marketing) and Namee Jorolan (finance and accounts)

Cobbler credo: Finally, Philippine-made designer shoes!

Price range: P4,000 for ladies’ shoes, P5,000-15,000 for men’s footwear. Custom-made shoes are P10,000 upwards.

Starting point: It started out as a simple project – from fitting friends personally, to peddling shoes from my car (laughs) to, seriously, even small, private shoe-soirees.

First and last stop: First shoe I ever designed was called "The Minimalist." And the most recent is "The Dominatrix": all-leather, round-toe, all-patent, three-inch wedges.

Master craftsman: My website, www.tenorium.com/aboutbrian, will mention that, one, I am from Marikina and, two, I taught design at the Ateneo, among other things.

In season: Business shoes for men and reptile skin heels for women. Called "Noir," it features sexy evening shoes, wedges and sandals for women.

Contact: www.tenoriomanila.com, 933-5114