The times when leather was the only material for making shoes are long gone. Today, designers are experimenting with innovative technologies, offering fantastic solutions that are equally friendly to both humans and wildlife.
The Brazilian brand Melissa has become the "pioneer" in the market for "alternative footwear", combining contemporary design and high technologies. The world's designers, celebrities and, of course, ordinary customers never tire of admitting their love for it.
If you still live in the captivity of stereotypes that plastic is bad for your feet, or at least not comfortable - forget about it! Shoes of the Brazilian brand Melissa are made of the innovative Melflex material, which has enviable hygienic properties: it breathes, does not rub, does not cause allergies and does not pollute the environment, since it is 99% recyclable. At the same time, it looks stylish and modern (which is not surprising, because seasonal collections are developed with the involvement of world designers - among them were Vivienne Westwood, Jason Wu, Gareth Pugh, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Zaha Hadid and many others), and also smells of caramel , chewing gum, lollipops. For many eminent fashion designers, Melissa is a source of inspiration and another way to express themselves: for example, Karl Lagerfeld admitted that he had never worked with plastic in such a manner, and Jeremy Scott only confirmed his creed as a provocateur from high fashion, explaining that for to him, "fashion means expanding consciousness."
The history of this brand began about 30 years ago. Plastic packaging company Grendene decided to expand its capabilities and began to produce various plastic elements for making shoes. In the 1980s, sales began to plummet, and then a new strategy was developed, including the expansion of the accessories market. At the same time, the first collection of plastic sandals was released under the Melissa label. All the innovative developments of the company were invested in the new project: the patented material Melflex, the wonderful properties of which we have already mentioned, in addition to its hypoallergenic and environmental friendliness, is distinguished by high durability and low wear, does not let water through (in the harsh Moscow summer this is especially important ), and also takes the shape of the foot, making it very easy and comfortable for the legs.
The founders of Melissa were pioneers not only in shoe materials, but also in their promotion. For example, at one time the heroes of the popular Brazilian TV series appeared on the set exclusively in the brand's shoes and sandals.
In addition, the brand collaborates with renowned fashion designers, architects, designers, offering to realize on the basis of Melflex the most daring fantasies that cannot be realized with conservative methods (by the way, making the iconic Aranha model takes only ... 26 seconds!). Among Melissa's fans are world-class stars - from the refined Dita Von Teese and Cate Blanchett to the provocative Lana Del Rey, Pamela Anderson and Miley Cyrus.
In 2000, the line of the Brazilian label was replenished with the Mini Melissa collection of children's shoes, which was loved by parents all over the world. The cute, funny and safe shoes, sandals and flip-flops also fell in love with the children of celebrities: Salma Hayek's daughter Valentina, Sarah Jessica Parker's girls Tabitha and Marion,
Heidi Klum's daughters Lu and Leni and many, many others.
Today the brand is represented in 96 countries of the world and is strongly associated with progressive artistic expression and innovative technologies. The Design Museum in London even included Melissa on its list of 50 Pairs of Shoes That Changed the World. Indeed, everyone can find in the collections of the brand what he likes, whether it be feminine beach slates decorated with a playful bow, laconic and comfortable ballet flats, platform sandals in sport chic style or high heels decorated with a scarlet heart - By the way, many brides choose them on their special day and are not afraid that they will rub their feet, get tired or get wet.
With the holiday season approaching, Melissa shoes are becoming especially trendy - lightweight and versatile, perfect for beach and long hikes, or for a relaxed resort feel to your wardrobe, even if you decide to stay in town. In any case, the vagaries of nature will not be scary for you - your favorite shoes will not get wet, will not fall apart and will continue to delight you, no matter what scenario you choose for this summer.
Shoes of the future
Melissa is a shoe that is talked about quite often. What is this brand interested in? The fact is that this quite serious Brazilian brand produces all-plastic shoes. To create slippers, shoes and even boots, the material melflex is used, which is an environmentally friendly, completely recyclable material. That is, sandals can be melted into a new pair without harming the environment. Perhaps all the people of the future will wear Melissa shoes and similar ones, but today these models can be seen on the feet of the most extravagant and advanced people.
Is it suitable for Russia?
The distribution of the brand, of course, is affected by the Russian climate with low temperatures and a lot of precipitation. Therefore, in Russian online stores you can find only a few samples of boots. They have an attractive shine, stable, wide heel, and are decorated with additional elements in the form of straps and chains. For the convenience of wearing, some articles have an additional soft fabric lining. In the Brazilian catalogs, they are listed as all-season, but in Russia they can only be worn as demi-season. Melissa footwear is quite expensive (it affects, among other things, foreign production and transport costs). For example, you need to pay about seven thousand rubles for boots.
Bright and youthful
The synthetic material allows for a wide variety of design options. Many people buy an interesting version of the "Cossack" boots, which look like natural suede with an uneven color, for example, in aqua. Against the background of predominantly black and brown models, Melissa shoes look cheerful and unusual, which, of course, appeals to young customers.
Candy flavor
For graceful persons in the collection you can find ankle boots, pantholes, sandals, shoes and ballet flats. Heeled shoes with a metal base made of transparent material look absolutely extraordinary. They will definitely draw attention to beautiful legs. And ballet flats have the most fantastic colors thanks to the prints on the material. Users claim that the material from which the Melissa shoes are made is quite soft. Plus, it has a pleasant candy, mint or caramel flavor.
Lace shoes
The melflex material allows you to create models not only in different colors, but also in different textures. For example, you can buy gold-tone ballet flats with a lace top, which are perfect for creating a variety of different fashion looks. In addition, Melissa shoes are also presented in classic versions. Here you can find models on wedges, shoes with contrasting massive soles, boots, moccasins, as well as outstandingly colorful clogs in pink and orange tones.
Celebrities have already rated
Melflex material is hypoallergenic and strong enough, there are no harmful components in it, which allows the company to count on an increase in the number of brand fans. In addition, the brand conducts joint developments with well-known personalities and designers who can realize their creative fantasies on the company's extensive production base.
The history of the Brazilian brand Melissa dates back to 1980. It was then that a separate brand Melissa was created, under which the production of plastic shoes began.
The brand did not appear out of nowhere, it "grew" as a subsidiary of the major footwear manufacturer Grendene. The first plastic sandals, co-produced by Grendene and Nuar Sandals, were worn by fashionistas in Brazil in 1980. The Melissa footwear company for adults and children has worked to expand the possibilities of plastic for many years, constantly experimenting with the design of its colorful products. The brand became known all over the world when its stylish products, which quickly won the sympathy of buyers, began to be sold in the United States, Europe and Asia.
Melissa's shoes entered the world markets in 1994, and today multicolored shoes, sandals, slippers, ballet flats, flip flops, boots and ankle boots flaunt on the feet of both adults and very young women of fashion in 80 countries. The brand mastered the production of products together with Jean-Paul Gaultier, brothers Fernando and Umberto Campana, Karl Lagerfeld and other equally eminent designers. Authorship of the model of women's shoes that have become the hallmark of the Melissa brand belongs to A number of models are the embodiment of the creative inspiration of invited celebrities - Kate Moss, Agnes Dean and Dita von Teese.
FootwearMelissa: the advantages of plastic models
Fans of the brand show a rare unanimity in assessing the aesthetic characteristics of Melissa products, which have a very attractive appearance.
The model range amazes with the variety of bright shoes of a unique, sometimes astounding design. The richest palette of colors is just one of the many achievements of the Melissa company. Shoes of different colors are always relevant in the arsenal of a person who follows the trends of modern fashion. Especially now, when an outfit consisting of clothes, shoes and accessories of the same color scheme is not too welcome. Another undoubted plus is the ability to look elegant in damp weather and at the same time not be afraid that expensive masterpieces from shoe makers on their feet will fall into disrepair. "Plastic dreams" (Melissa's slogan - "Plastic Dreams") are materialized in a special patented material Melflex that can withstand all the loads, provides the feet with acceptable comfort and exudes a candy aroma. The company informs customers that this type of plastic is highly durable, waterproof, does not emit toxic substances into the environment and is recyclable without residue.
FootwearMelissa: disadvantages of models made of Melflex material
The disadvantages of Melissa shoes are stated by people who do not take into account some of the features of Melflex, in a number of parameters inferior to leather and other shoe materials. The owner of plastic shoes will not feel discomfort if they do not wear them for a long time. Customers who tested Melissa shoes share their observations, in which they do not forget to mention that the shoes of this brand are not designed for long walks and in order to be in them at the workplace all day long.
Neutral reviews
Lilina (Beginner)
There are, of course, interesting models, but I can't imagine how you can wear plastic shoes in the summer! The phrase "lets air in" is reassuring, but I still think my legs will sweat a lot. Although, I do not exclude that my opinion is mistaken, because I have not seen such good quality shoes \u003d)
Melissa Shoes is a footwear brand that lives with the Plastic Dreams motto. He really makes shoes out of plastic that will be appropriate for both the beach and the club at a party.
The brand appeared in Brazil in early 1979. It was originally a subsidiary corporation of one of the largest footwear manufacturers Grendene. The Spider plastic shoe was inspired by the fishermen of the French Riviera. She was remembered for the fact that they used the product placement technique for promotion, which was rare for that period.
Melissa shoes were popular with the heroes of the Brazilian TV series Dancin "Days. In 1980, the brand was one of the most famous shoe brands in the country, which produced shoes for children and adults. But by the end of 1980, the national celebrity of the brand began to fade, and the second birth, already on a global scale, the brand acquired in 1994. Its entire current image has already been built in the 2000s, but without looking at all this, it remains true to its roots, and is also sold in the same brand store in Sao Paulo that and thirty years ago.
In the past twenty-five years, Melissa shoes have had fifty million pairs, twenty of which have been exported to eighty countries. It seemed that plastic shoes and fashion were incompatible concepts, but they are not. Creative manager Edson Matsuo says: "The plastic is good because the only limitation for it is the limit of design imagination." Plastic shoes, by the way, are not simple.
Melissa plastic shoes are made from the patented Melflex material, which can withstand all loads, but also provides very acceptable comfort to the foot. And besides that, the brand has always been proud of the fact that Melflex is a very environmentally friendly material that can be recycled almost completely without emitting toxic substances into the atmosphere.
In addition to the unusual style, which embodies the most daring and incredible ideas of designers, today Melissa shoes are also distinguished by the unique material used in their production - Melflex. It provides not only high durability and strength of branded footwear models, but also its convenience, which is extremely important when it comes to such an unusual and specific material as plastic. In addition, the company is proud of the fact that Melflex, among other things, is an environmentally friendly material.
Another key to the development of the Brazilian brand was constant collaboration with famous designers: Umberto and Fernando Campana, two brothers who could combine archaic rustic objects and new technologies, Vivienne Westwood, who came up with the brand's trademark, namely Lady Dragon Westwood, Judy Blame, British stylist and designer, Karim Rashid and Zaha Hadid, who was the recipient of the Architecture Prize.
In the early 2000s, plastic shoes firmly captured the hearts of most fashion editors. She settled confidently on the pages of various glossy magazines. Not looking at such a celebrity, when asked where to buy Melissa shoes in Russia or Ukraine, so far there is only one answer - on the Internet. On average, the cost per pair is up to three hundred dollars.
Melissa is a Brazilian footwear brand known for using plastic and nylon as the only materials. The brand has truly become the talk of the town thanks to its collaboration with renowned fashion designers such as Vivienne Westwood.
The material from which the shoes are made can be recycled, which makes them environmentally friendly.
Melissa is a leader in the manufacture of plastic footwear. The brand with 33 years of history has become one of the largest shoe manufacturers in the world and has set international standards for the production of plastic footwear.
The main goal of the Melissa brand is to combine advanced design technologies to create new shapes, colors and finishes for their products.
The desire to give PVC quality and flexibility led to the development of a revolutionary material called Melflex. It is a special type of PVC, hypoallergenic and fully recyclable, which ensures the elasticity, tightness and strength of the product.
Particular attention is also paid to the finishing coat - thanks to a special technology, it became possible to work with flock. The velvety finish gives the models a more sophisticated and innovative aspect.
A valuable legacy of the Melissa brand is also the unique candy scent called “tutti frutti”.
Melflex material has passed all the necessary laboratory tests, which have confirmed its safety. The quality of Melissa products is time-tested.
Most likely, shoes made of a material called "melflex" are neither particularly harmful (reported about its advantages in terms of comfort and water resistance), nor very "useful" (no type of plastic, especially rubberized, can be "breathable" ). Personally, it seems to me that the price of these shoes is unjustifiably overpriced - even a very pleasant smell of this material and the assurances of the manufacturers in the highest degree of its weariness will not make it more preferable than shoes made of genuine leather. And the appearance, in my opinion, is so-so - nothing special.
Women's sandals Melissa - review
Advantages: oooooo very beautiful on the leg
Disadvantages: uncomfortable
I bought them in the famous wildberries for 2694 rubles. They are small in size, so after reading the reviews, I took 40 E. The sandals look just insanely beautiful, the color is slightly different from the photo (darker). While walking around the apartment, they seemed comfortable, but only the matter concerned going outside and that's it! after 10 minutes I was already very tired of balancing on them. I put "I advise friends" only for those girls who feel very good in heels or if you walk a little: in the car, out of the car, in the restaurant to the toilet)))
And in general, they are made with high quality (material melflex), nowhere are any pieces of glue sticking out, a little heavy, but within reason. Made in Brazil. I bought shoes of the same company, I am much more satisfied with them, but they are also more expensive))
Melissa (Melissa) - Brazilian, specializing in the production of women's and children's shoes from melflex, high-tech thermoplastic. She has been cooperating with the brand since 2013.
For 2014, the Melissa brand is part of the Grendene group of companies, which owns the brands Rider, Nuar, Grendha, Grendene Kids, Ilhabela and Ipanema.
Brand history
Brand creation
The Melissa brand was officially registered in 1979 in Brazil by the Grendene group of companies. In the first years after its founding, the brand began to produce seamless women's shoes made of melflex, a high-tech thermoplastic. The hypoallergenic material took the shape of a foot and smelled like fruit candy.
In 1994 the brand entered the markets of Europe, Asia and the USA.
Ballerinas, Melissa RUB 3,152
Slippers, Melissa RUB 2,473
Sandals, Melissa RUB 1,527
Brand development. Collaborations
In 2008, Zaha Hadid, a British architect of Arab origin, created a complex geometric shape for the shoe brand. The models were presented in black, dark gray, yellow, red, pink, steel, white and purple shades. In the same year, Alexandre Herchcovitch was created for the women's brand.
In 2008, the British began cooperation with the Melissa brand.
In 2009, the Vivienne Westwood Anglomania x Melissa capsule shoe collection was created, represented by 4 lines. In the Lady Dragon series, the designers offered open toe and heel sandals. The shoes were decorated with heart-shaped decor. The Mary Jane collection was inspired by the flat soles of the same name with an instep strap and a rounded toe. The Three Straps line includes straps encircling the ankle. The model was borrowed from previous Vivienne Westwood collections. The Ultragirl series included a small cut above the thumb.
The Vivienne Westwood Anglomania x Melissa collection was presented at Browns Focus and Harvey Nichols in London, Opening Ceremony in New York and Los Angeles, L'Eclaireur in Paris, etc.
In 2010, Melissa and Vivienne Westwood launched the Vivienne Westwood Anglomania x Melissa capsule collection of children's shoes. The sandals were decorated with bows and hearts.
In June 2010, the limited collection Jean Paul Gautier x Melissa went on sale. created stylish sandals for the brand, complemented by a variety of straps.
In 2011, the Vivienne Westwood Anglomania x Melissa capsule boot collection was presented. The shoe had a pointed toe and a small heel. The boots were adorned with metallic details and plastic bows.
In 2011, students from the Geneva University of Design created three exclusive footwear for the Melissa brand. Julia Simon presented the Walking Object lilac heeled shoes in the shape of a baby duckling toy. Morgan Ribeyrols presented a semi-open model of Metamorphosis sandals, made in black. The designer was inspired by the night sky. Marin Stamfli designed the Accessory Body flip flops with floral décor.
In 2011, the limited edition Gareth Pugh for Melissa spring-summer 2012 collection was created, consisting of two models: ballet flats with geometric patterns and gladiator sandals. The cost of one pair ranged from $ 110-130.
“Of course, this story about plastic shoes is very much in my spirit, we have long wanted to do something together, but there was no suitable opportunity. Melissa is like leg armor, which is why I love them, that's why I decided to make open sandals. "
Gareth Pugh
In 2011, he created for the brand a collection of ballet flats and sandals in a classic style.
In 2012, Pedro Lorenzo designed Melissa's wide ankle strap sandals and gradient ballerinas.
In 2013, the Karl Lagerfeld for Melissa autumn-winter 2013/2014 collaboration took place. When creating the limited collection, Karl Lagerfeld was inspired by Brazil.
“I've never worked with plastic in this manner before. The source of inspiration for me was Brazil itself and its characteristic ability to enjoy life. "
Karl Lagerfeld
The legendary one signed an agreement to create three more capsule collections for the brand.
“This collaboration has become one of the most exciting in the company's history. Karl Lagerfeld, a 21st century design icon, expanded his horizons by joining Melissa. Lagerfeld's immense talent, which has become synonymous with haute couture, is being transformed into a shoe line, making his brand more accessible to everyone. "
Paulo Pedo, Marketing Director
In the Melissa spring-summer 2014 collection, the brand's designers offered a variety of models of ballet flats and sandals, flip flops, sandals with high heels and a solid platform, closed wedges. The pattern was used as a pea. The shoes were decorated with bows and flowers, as well as metallized geometric details.
Anne Hathaway, Katy Perry, Pamela Anderson, etc.
Official site: www.melissa.com
