Today I am inspired by the latest issue of Marie Claire....take a look! Featured in 101 ideas the traditional modernized espadrilles, that we have been seeing a lot of, the last few years. And there must be a reason why...Espadrilles or Alpargatas are normally casual flat, but nowadays I see more and more are coming as high heeled shoes. According to the their history they originated in the Pyrenees. They became fashionable in USA in the 1940s. Lauren Bacall wore ankle laced espadrilles in the 1948 movie Key Largo. Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, and many style icons were photographed wearing espadrilles.
Modern espadrilles are predominantly for women, though originally they were worn by men, women and children alike. Specially in South America, countries like Argentina, Uruguay and the south of Brasil, men and children are the traditional wearers of espadrilles.
The traditional espadrilles are made with a canvas or cotton fabric and a flexible sole made of jute rope. This jute sole is the must have characteristic of an authentic espadrille. If it doesn't have Jute, then it is not an espadrille! Upper parts can vary widely in style!
With the new spike in demand for espadrilles, you can find thousands of varieties from really inexpensive bargain brands to high priced designer brands.
Designer espadrilles are now widely available. The authentic espadrilles are manufactured by hand, in countries like Spain and Argentina. Although now there are a lot of factories in Bangladesh producing them. But we all know what happened in Bangladesh, and we don't want to support that kind of manufacturing. More than 1,000 people died when a factory making clothes for western companies collapsed in Dhakha three weeks ago.
Make sure you know the brand that you are buying from, the location of their factories or workshops, how they treat their employees and what kind of Sourcing policies they have.
Make sure you know the brand that you are buying from, the location of their factories or workshops, how they treat their employees and what kind of Sourcing policies they have.
Today several companies have agreed on a Safety Accord, to stop the chances of the disaster in Bangladesh from happening again. Around a dozen retailers have signed the international accord.
Companies like H&M, and Zara, Primark, Benetton, Mango are leading this effort, to financially help the implementation of safety standards, that would prevent buildings from suffering fires, and preventable disasters.
Companies like H&M, and Zara, Primark, Benetton, Mango are leading this effort, to financially help the implementation of safety standards, that would prevent buildings from suffering fires, and preventable disasters.
Just now, a report from BBC News, informed that only 12 % of the price we pay for a product is the cost of manufacturing, and from that 12 % only 2% is the amount that goes to the factory. So imagine that from that 2 %, wages, and factory expenses need to be paid. That is not really much!
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| Steve Madden |
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| Chanel |
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| Chloe |
So make sure you know who you are buying from, the real origin of the product. I know sometimes, I also make the "mistake" of buying something because the price is "cheap" or "cheaper". But let us think if the number that appears on a price tag, is the only "price" we are really paying.
Let's go back to Espadrilles!
Mayurqas is my favorite brand of espadrilles. They have exclusive collections of Mediterranean shoes from Spain. Mayurqas are handmade in the Spanish island of Majorca, by artisan shoemakers using traditional procedures. Being handmade gives special characteristics to the shoes:
- All materials used are naturalmaterials (jute, leather and fabric), no plastic. Only the outer sole has been reinforced with rubber to avoid slippery, specially convenient in more humid regions.
- Mayurqas adapt perfectly to the shape of your feet (no blisters), allow natural transpiration and minimizes risk of allergies. You can wear them all dayand all night long.
From the most traditional 
to the Batik inspired collection
and their latest collection of espadrilles are made with the most beautiful and exclusive silks form Thailand, Korea and Malaysia.
Handmade shoes from real artisans, are such a luxury nowadays. But the good news is that they don't have luxury prices, they are affordable! And they are unique...you can check out their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mayurqas/282351335197909?ref=hl
Hope you like them as much as I do!
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