QUALITARIAN

I think that one of the many ways that we can shop in a more eco-conscious way is to become “qualitarians” – meaning that we should always look for quality and for items that will last a long time. The classic items that I’ve spent a heart-palpitating amount of money on, have lasted me for over a decade. Conversely, virtually all the cheap shoes, boots and bags that I’ve picked up along the way, are no longer in my possession.

A great example is a Calleen Cordero Purse, which I purchased over five years ago. This purse has been bashed around mercilessly and traveled around the world but because it’s so well made, I’ll still be using it ten years from now and it just gets more beautiful with age. I also purchased a pair of her boots years ago, and they too will be treasured for years to come. Luckily I have a fantastic old-fashioned cobbler nearby, who has reinforced the heels a couple of times. My gorgeous purchases were also made in America at a local workshop by artisans with care and love. The word “artisan” is bandied around nowadays as in “artisan bread, “artisan cheese” etc – so much so that it becomes meaningless. The artisans, however, who create Calleen Cordero shoes are skilled craftsman, shoemakers who have taken years to learn their skill. As I said, I almost had a heart attack when I handed my card over, as I’m not typically a “designer” purse girl, and would never pay the obscene prices that many top designers charge for purses that I happen to know were made for a few dollars in China.

So if you are thinking about what you want to ask Santa for this year, have a peek at Calleen’s Shoes – aside from their beauty and durability, they are the most comfortable shoes that you’ll ever wear – even the big old heels.

I caught up with Calleen, who now has a cult following. She’s not only an enormously talented designer, but also a gorgeously green girl. Here’s what I asked her.

What inspired you to become a shoe & purse designer?Mylove affair with shoes began when I was very young. I would stare at my favorite pair for hours examining the designs like they were pieces of art. I started working at the age of 15 and have been involved in the design process of every company I worked for over the last 20 years – leading up until the time I started my own company 12 years ago.

What inspires your incredible designs?I’m very inspired by nature, ethnic cultures, fashion and architecture. You can see many architectural elements in my hand sculpted wood heels and in the various details and components that I use throughout my collection, such as hand-woven elements and the Mayan inspired designs that adorn my footwear, handbag and accessory collection.

What makes your shoes so incredibly comfortable?You will find multiple comfort features in every one of my shoes including padded insoles and midsoles.
Leather soled sandals are hand molded with arch support and all linings are Italian leather

What is the main difference between handmade and factory-made shoes?The attention and care that is given to each pair of shoes cannot be given in a mass produced footwear line. Each pair of my shoes may go through as many as 25 different set of hands throughout the process. That process begins with the stenciling and carving of wood planks, to the shaping of the heels, to cutting the pattern to the handcrafted construction that goes into every design. There is no one who can replicate this process and maintain the level of quality and handcrafted integrity that my collection represents.

I know that regular tanning in leather factories is highly toxic to the environment, can you explain the difference between vegetable tanning and the toxic method?Vegetable tanned leather is free from chrome and formaldehyde. Vegetable tanning uses ingredients found in vegetable matter, such as tree bark <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanbark>  prepared in bark mills <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bark_mill> , and various other organic and natural compounds including amino acids <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amino_acid>  and alk <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkaloid> aloids.

I love that fact that you manufacture locally and in the U.S. – have you ever been tempted to cut corners and costs by manufacturing overseas?I’ve had the opportunity to take my collection oversees to help eliminate the costs that incur by staying locally but to be honest, I struggled with that and never felt good about it. I take a lot of pride in what I do and to compromise the integrity and quality of my product for financial reasons would be an injustice to my customers and for what I stand for. At the end of the day, it’s not about the money. May sound funny to people but it’s true.

What else would you say is eco-friendly about your shoes and bags – I know some readers will be concerned about the leather used and where it comes from?

ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND CONSTRUCTION

·         All woods used are from sustainable forests or recycled plywood.

·         Most leathers used are vegetable tanned from Italy.

·         Multiple comfort features in every shoe including padded insoles and/or EVA midsoles.

·         Leather soled sandals are hand molded with arch support.

·         All linings are leather and hardware is solid brass and solid nickel.

·         Every wood heel has been sculpted by free hand.

·         All glues used are 80% non toxic to the environment.