Seattle - July 09, 2007

One Word: Plastics

Melissa Shoes

To Magritte, a pipe was not a pipe. To Duchamp, a urinal was not a urinal. And to you, a tote is not a plastic bag.

You like your fashion on the surreal side. So you’ll love Melissa’s psychedelic slip-ons and sandals.

A cult favorite in their native Brazil, the plastic shoes aren’t just plastic shoes. Way more comfy than old-school jellies, they’re made from recyclable PVC in a socially responsible factory (where 99.9 percent of waste is recycled).

Wear the spindly gold slip-ons estate sale shopping, then take the summer of love-worthy wedges out dancing. Most fanciful styles are the result of a collaboration with a serious designer (like Alexandre Herchcovitch, Thais Lasso, or Karim Rashid).

And in an extra-cute why-not twist, the shoes all emit a pleasant tutti-frutti odor.

So, you know, that smell is not your feet.

Available at Clementine, 4447 California Avenue (206-935-9400); Olivine, 5344 Ballard Avenue Northwest (206-706-4188); La Rousse, 430 Virginia Street (206-448-1515); ZebraClub, 1901 First Avenue (206-448-7452). To see styles, go to melissa.com.br.