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SUSTAINABLE STYLE: Plastic Fantastic ‘Melissa Shoes’

by Abigail Doan, 03/02/08

Melissa Shoes, recycled, plastic, sustainable style, eco-fashion, Kaight, NYC, green, accessories, shoes, Brazilian-made, redshoes.jpgMelissa Desire + Triton Red Hot Heels, $58 at Kaight NYC

We generally associate plastic shoes with blister-generating sandals or galoshes that take eons to decompose in landfill, but when it comes to (recycled) plastic shoes of the sustainable ilk, Melissa Shoes takes a quantum leap forward in eco-fashion footwear. Our good friends at Kaight NYC turned us on to these babies, and we wanted to share this green style tip with you ASAP so that you can scoop up a pair of these very sexy sustainable vegan shoes, and join the Brazilian-design trend. Brazilian shoemaker Melissa has just put out these super sexy recycled-plastic kitten heels for spring, and we can’t wait to get our hands on a pair of them!



Melissa Shoes are made from MELFLEX plastic, a patented, hypo-allergenic, recyclable, and extremely flexible PVC. The shoes are totally cruelty free and devoid of animal products. The Brazilian-based company is totally rad in its recycling of 99.9% of factory water and waste, and they also go the distance by recycling overstock styles into next season’s collection. Even better? Melissa Shoes employees are paid above average wages and benefits. What’s not to like in these plastic fantastic accessories? What a fabulous way to traipse and tromp through spring rain puddles, or consider wearing Melissa Shoes on your next urban eco-adventure and watch heads turn with total green envy!

Melissa Desire + Triton Red Hot Heels – $58 from Kaight

+ Melissa Shoes
+ Kaight NYC
+ Vivienne Westwood does Melissa Shoes on StyleFrizz


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13 Responses to “SUSTAINABLE STYLE: Plastic Fantastic ‘Melissa Shoes’”

User Gravatar
kpriss Says:
March 2nd, 2008 at 5:28 pm

I reckon they work wonders on sunny beaches. And that over at Melissa they treat nature with respect as well as their own employees. However, plastic shoes (especially the “closed” ones) are not long-term feet-friends.

Thank you for linking my article.

User Gravatar
oakling Says:
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:27 am

So wait – these plastic shoes don’t chafe?

User Gravatar
braziliangirl Says:
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:56 am

That’s why Melissa sandals are open and the ones that are “closed” have holes specially designed. I have many melissa shoes/sandals and NEVER had the smell problem. Oh and there’s also the special scent that every one of them has!!!

Abigail Doan
Abigail Doan Says:
March 3rd, 2008 at 6:42 pm

Dear Readers:

As per the Melissa website, MEFLEX has quite a bit of elasticity (molding-to-the-foot capacity) as well as being hypoallergenic. The usual issue with wearing unforgiving plastic shoes really does not apply.

>What is MELFLEXTM?
For years now, the biggest challenge has been to develop a material which could be easily molded to the foot, providing superior comfort in relation to other products currently on the market. This formula was developed in MELISSA’s laboratories.

The result is a composition called MELFLEXTM. This material has characteristics which provide improved elasticity, impermeability and resistance. Its formula contains products which are hypoallergenic and 100% safe to your health. It is odorless, neutral and natural.

MELFLEXTM maintains its special properties even after being recycled. MELISSA searches for innovation in a variety of fields, including those which are not related to footwear production, in order to boost the performance of MELFLEXTM.

Thanks for reading!

Abigail @ Inhabitat

User Gravatar
Edson Matsuo Says:
March 17th, 2008 at 2:44 pm

GREEN DESIGN IS GOOD DESIGN
GOOD DESIGN IS GREEN DESIGN
GREEN DESIGN IS SIMPLE

User Gravatar
abe Says:
March 21st, 2008 at 12:00 pm

I am opening a recycled women’s apparel store and am wanting to sell Melissa shoes but cannot find a wholesale connection ANYWHERE. Do you have any idea how I can contact someone?
Thanks!

User Gravatar
secretagent Says:
March 26th, 2008 at 1:41 pm

I bought a pair and absolutely ADORE them. They’re fabulous.

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Debra Says:
June 18th, 2008 at 11:13 pm

I would love to contact the makers or distributors of Melissa sandals. I bought a pair of their sandals 3 or 4 years ago at a store in Santa Monica California named Barry Lee. they look like a simple flip flop with strap that goes between the big toe and next top, just like regular flip flops. But they also have a strap that velcrows across the ankle and secures the “flip flop” to your foot so you can run around in them like tennis shoes. I immediately went back to the store and bought out all the size sevens available, as the store owner said that they were discontiinuing them. …..My point, I must tell twenty or thirty people a month where I bought them because they love them and want to get a pair. I am not exaggerating!!! Most of the people want to buy them just off their looks. But once I tell them they are like walking with nothing on, and that you can run up and down stairs with them as if you were weqring a tennis shoe. they immediately ask where to get them. I’m talking people on the street, nurses in doctor offices, actresses on location,…everyone. Do you still make them? Can you start making them again? Please let me know, people are constantly asking me where to get them. I thought you should know because it seems like some big revenue could be made if you brought them back.
I would love to hear from you about this. I believe you have my e-mail attached to this message? I hope so. Sincerely, Debra

User Gravatar
wendywalk Says:
June 25th, 2008 at 10:36 pm

Debra – the company’s English-language website is at http://www.melissaplasticdreams.com – they list contact info for a rep in NYC.

User Gravatar
greenblue Says:
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:58 am

The best place to get melissa shoes is at Regeneration in Los Angeles. they have a pretty big selection, and the prices are the lowest you’ll find anywhere – even ebay. They also sell some on their online shop: http://www.shopregeneration.com . I saw some cool green sandals with an ankle strap there.
Good luck contacting the company – they won’t answer you!!

User Gravatar
amie.ie Says:
August 7th, 2008 at 2:07 pm

Are you people insane! Just because these shoes claim to be eco, vegan and recycled doesn\’t mean a damn thing. Read between the lines. PVC is not a just substitute for leather, in many cases it is worse. PVC is a very toxic substance full of phthalates and other very harmful chemical compounds. When heated or burned it off gasses sending these chemicals into the pores of your feet. What about production of these shoes? They have to be heated into molds, exposing workers to harmful substances. Think twice, PVC is not something to brag about

akay
akay Says:
August 7th, 2008 at 5:22 pm

I agree, amie.ie. As soon as I read PVC I became skeptical.

In addition… eeee, thems some ugly shoes. If I wanted fluorescent green plastic footwear, I’d at least get some with frog faces on them: http://www.amazon.com/Western-Chief-Toddler-Little-Frog/dp/B000E4AG4W

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jc Says:
April 10th, 2009 at 1:11 pm

Are they comfy for walking? Cause I do like the color and the jelly shoes very much…..

 

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