Chie Mihara talks shoes, again

We've seen Chie Mihara talk about shoes before.

Here's her new video and this time it's even better! See how the creative process works for Chie, plus how her designs get hand-crafted by local people in the company's own factory in Spain.

Inspirational on so many levels. Seriously, watch it now.

Something special

I think the amount of obsession I develop on new additions to my shoe collection can be easily calculated by the number of pictures I take of them.
In this case, a lot.

Meet my new Chie Mihara AJO sandals, on sale from Simple Caractere at The Mall.

Love.

Chie Mihara talks shoes

I first came upon this darling video ten months ago and immediately thought now, that's something worth posting.

Then I forgot. How typical.

Anyway, here it is, one of my absolute favourite shoe designers Chie Mihara talking about what she does best:

Making shoes we will fall in love with.

Dressed to play

So, this is what I wore to the Fashion Playground party. One of the rare occasions I wear jeans, but I think I might have to reconsider my ways...

These look goooood!

Levi's kindly gave us bloggers each a piece of denim to wear that night. In the pic above you can see the jeans-clad derrières of yours truly and Elena of Life Full of Fashion, captured on Elena's camera by pro photographer Alkisti of Streetgeist.

What else did I wear except for my new Levi's skinnies? Well, we knew we would have to spend a lot of time outdoors, so I layered four different knits (my De*Nada Eternal Knit looped scarf, an old mustard Pull&Bear cardi and my grandma's black knitted shawl, plus my Stefanel knit bangle) over a simple white t-shirt.

Jeans and a white t-shirt, that's what they say, right?

My dearest Elena also took the above photo of my red-heeled Chie Mihara t-bars, which I wore with white polka dot red socks. This pairing actually happened in the last possible minute, because I couldn't find any plain red socks (ha, that's a solid reason to go shopping, me thinks) so I decided to go with the spotty ones I already had.

Unexpected but cute, no?

Bright in the dark

Why is it girls in Greece wear all-black to go clubbing? It just makes you disappear in the dark crowd... Last night I went out clubbing first time after two years (I'm a rather homey person) and I took advantage of the opportunity by wearing my bright mustard yellow skirt, silver-gray top and white onyx necklace. Nice and bright.

OUTFIT DETAILS:
Yellow skirt, BENETTON. Silver-gray racerback top, BERSHKA. Black top (layered underneath), ATTRATTIVO. Black leather obi belt, some shop in Volos. White onyx bead necklace, made by me with beads bought in Turkey.

As for shoes, I wore my black Chie Mihara Solita. But, in the crowd, you couldn't see them anyway...

Seriously contemplating...

... the Saigon boots by Chie Mihara.
I tried them on in a local store. They are cute, edgy, flattering, easy to wear, unbelievably comfortable, SIMPLY AMAZING. And 40% off.

But still really, really expensive.

However, that local shop's price actually beats Revolve Clothing's price of $351 or 266 euros for their last pair of Saigon boots in brown. Which means I won't be finding a better price on the internet. And you can trust me on that, I google "chie mihara" more often than I brush my teeth.

I could try searching the shops in Athens next week when I'll be there, but is just the mere hope of an extra 10% off worth the risk of coming back to Volos and finding them gone?

I believe this one falls into the famous "investment theory". You know, the one saying we should buy few stuff, but of good quality, that will be loved and cherished and worn forever. I think this is one of those times...

...still contemplating.

Spaniards do it better

For the past centuries, Italy has been considered the leader in quality shoe design and manufacturing. A tag stating Made in Italy is always a quality proof. Although all those years italian craftsmanship never failed to produce little leather works of art, Spain is definitely taking the lead in the design aspect, incorporating new materials in more up-to-date styles.
My favourite shoe designer, Chie Mihara, was actually born of Japanese parents in Brasil, but her company is based in Spain, where all of the above beauties were created, with sole purpose to come and find me and live with me happily ever after. In my humble opinion, she makes the ultimate round-toe maryjanes and pumps, complete with an anatomic foot bed insole. Her shoes are rather expensive, but I prefer to treat my feet with one of her masterpieces than three pairs of Zara pumps that will kill my feet.

Another personal spanish design staple is Camper. The brand needs no further introduction, everyone knows about the quirky shoes that were actually made to walk in. That is, walk a lot in. I won't lie, many of their designs are a bit rough and not exactly lady-like, but amongst these there are some real gems waiting to be discovered. My collection was recently updated with the above three pairs, bought from Camper's online shop on sale.

And this is my most recent shoe discovery (read purchase) of spanish design. Vialis is less famous than Camper and in the price range of Chie Mihara, but of the same concept: modern design, great quality, really comfortable shoes. I was eyeing up those for two months now, and when they reached their final sale price, I snatched them. I am now officialy a shoeaholic and I am putting myself on a shoe ban for the next two months. Unless I take a trip to Spain...

Chie never lets me down

From my favorite shoe designer's new collection. The color is called "anais cream". I rest my case.
Chie Mihara

Chie Mihara, you put a spell on me

For the second time (first one here) I couldn't help it. After digitally salivating almost every day for the past 4 months over those Chie Mihara Solita in gray, I gave in...... and when I found them in black in french electronic boutique RZOSTORE for 129 euros, reduced from 215, my credit card magically came out of my purse and bought them! Well, no. But as my birthday is in the end of August, I consider them an early present to myself. And yes, I know, I'm weak!

Popped my cherry!

I would like to announce everyone that I finally lost my internet-shopping virginity! Ok, maybe it doesn't really count, because in the past I have successfully ordered several books from amazon.com, mostly fashion and illustration ones. But this is the first time that I ordered a fashion item: a pair of wonderful cognac-colored leather Chie Mihara maryjanes!




I bought them from american site Revolve Clothing one week ago and they arrived today, much faster than what I was used to by amazon. Let me tell you, I was so anxious I tried not to think about it at all this whole week. You see, although I already own another lovely pair of Chie Miharas and I knew that I wanted a 38,5 european size, the size-conversion charts I found around the net freaked me out! Every one said a different thing. I finally ordered the 8,5 and hoped it meant a 38,5. It also happened to be the last size left. Fate maybe?Well, they fit perfectly and I couldn't be happier. And I love their round shape and beautiful color and heel shape and, well actually EVERYTHING about them! I think I'm going to wear them to death when the weather gets a bit cooler, because right now I live in sandals and open-toe platforms. And a fact: they are the most expensive pair of my collection, but no regrets there because I really see Chie Mihara designs as investments.

Interesting mix

My outfit last night. Salmon coloured shirt from Zara, dark green bubble skirt that was once a dress from Bershka, flower-print scarf borrowed from my mum for the evening and my grandma's vintage black belt. My purple shoes, the only expensive part of this outfit, are Chie Mihara. They cost 100 euros reduced from 200. Bargain!

In fact, before writing this post I never thought of checking them out online, but I'm glad I did. Their site is really easy to navigate, simple but pleasant to the eye, and they have some really cute designs, mostly vintage-inspired and a bit chunky one might say, but still utterly modern and beautiful.

They are also designed by a really interesting person. Chie Mihara is a young woman born of Japanese parents in Brasil, who has lived in Japan, New York and Spain. She has worked for Charles Jourdan and Junko Koshino, but most importantly she has internshiped in the orthopedic shoe store Eneslow. Aha! So that's way they're so damn comfortable! Thanks Chie!