If The Shoe Fits: Mallory Musante

– JUNE 7, 2011

Downtown magazine (www.downtownmagazinenyc.com)

If you seek one-of-a-kind, quality, and of course, stylish heels, then Mallory Musante Shoes may be the perfect fit. What makes MMS shoes catching and distinct is that business owner/designer, Mallory Musante, hand pants clever, sleek designs on each and every shoe herself.

On MMS website, where you can shop the line, some of its painted designs for Fall 2011 and Spring 2012, lend a ‘70s power-woman feel, such as the brown Mackenzie shoe, with it’s painted woven gold chains. Sonya and Fiona pump win with abstract art in easy to match colors. The white Evelyn creates a paisley like lace print that can be paired with an infinite amount of looks, whether down or up. The Carmen, and Brooklyn are just a few more examples that offer endless options. If you like the toned tip toe seen on the fall runways by Yves Saint Laurent and Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci, the white leather, gold detailed Sasha may be your match.

Overall, Musante’s designs are unique, tasteful, and extremely versatile. Her works of art are smart for the work place but will walk you well through to nighttime chic, any day. They all can be dressed up or down, never stepping into, what could be considered, commonplace.

While shopping online, with every design, you can click whether you want it as a four inch platform shoe (with one inch platform), or a two and three-fourths inch kitten heel. The platforms have a rounded point, and the kitten heels have a pointy one-both instep with go-to trends for the fall.

Also be sure to check what colors are available for each design, which you can do by clicking on a shoe’s picture. With some shoes, such as the Sydney, the shoe’s color itself can change , while with others, such as the Veronica, the paint itself can change.

Musante, at the young age of 23, said all of her shoes are high quality, as they are made of genuine leather and acrylic leather paint.

“It sticks onto the leather really well,” Musante said. She paints an acrylic finish over the top, for extra protection. Musante said all of her shoes are weather resistant and can be worn even in the rain.

The price for one of Musante’s crafted pieces range from $80 to $200. This price point treats you more than fairly, considering MMS material and beautifully designs. Not to mention,  you can wear them anywhere and with anything,

To add to the shoe’s charm, Musante personally paints all the designs herself. Despite the tremendous amount of work, she cautions against mass production.

“I really value the quality that I put out there. I don’t want the paint to chip off or anything,” Musante said.

Customer’s value MMS for the special attention Musante gives to each shoe.

“I want to have a good feeling about every shoe. I want everything to be perfect, such as the lines to be straight. I like to make them look like you can’t tell that they are hand painted,” Musante said.

Musante wants to bring on more artists, and not just to paint her designs.

“I’m open to artists creating their own designs, to give customers more design aesthetics to choose from,” Musante said.

Musante works to offer designs for a wide array of clientele. Even if she wouldn’t personally wear a shoe, she feels confident about her selection.

“If I’m not loving a design, whether I would wear them or not, I do not want to put it out there,” Musante said.

MMS is at an advantage because there is virtually no competition with other hand painted shoe companies. The few that do exist in the market offer shoes that cannot be worn for multiple occasions, and are very specific, Musante said.

“If I worked in a traditional office I do not think I would wear some of the designs I have found. They are kind of crazy!” Musante said. “I always hear, ‘I’ve never heard of hand painted shoes before!’”

More New Yorkers were introduced to Musante’s shoe conceptions at a MMS “Shoe and Tell” Press Preview, at SoHo’s shoe-tique, Ruia, on May 23. With host Yannique Joseph, she released her Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 bridal shoes to guests including stylists from MTV, Shoes TV, and Fuzion. As a girl from Connecticut, who still lives and works there, Musante said New York City welcomed her well, and many people made purchases at the event’s trunk show.

Musante operates all aspects MMS from Connecticut, corresponding frequently with contacts in New York City, as well as Providence, R.I., which has an emerging fashion scene for New England.

Two boutiques offer MMS, Modern Love, in Providence, R.I. and Flower Drum Boutique, in Winchester, Mass.

Owner of Modern Love, Karen Beebe, said customers are impressed with MMS’s craftsmanship, and although she has never worn a pair of MMS herself, she has been told they are comfortable on the feet.

Musante not only designs and paints all shoes, she also solely operates the business aspects of MMS. She holds a bachelors degree in Marketing from Bryant University in Rhode Island, which helps her with the responsibility.

“Every one always thinks I went to school for design, but I actually went to a business school,” Musante said. “I have more of a business mindset because of my education at Bryant.”

As both a talented artist and a savvy business woman, Musante said she always wears killer shoes for whatever the part. Of course she said, lately, she’s only needs one pair.

“I love the Natalie in red,” Musante said.

It’s good to know Musante stands proudly, in great heels, behind her line.

Instant Access: www.mallorymasanteshoes.com

- Vanessa Voigt