by Nikki Gotianse-Tan
With each and every function in life, it seems that we always have footwear to think about. Admit it or not, it highly affects how we get from one task to the next. How can one manage to think on his toes if his shoes pinch his feet? That being said, the element of comfort is non-negotiable. But then, nowadays, so is style. For the practical but style-conscious Dabawenyo, the demand for casual, one-of-a-kind footwear is on the rise. Enter specialty shoe shop Catalogue, which is rising to the occasion by housing both international and local shoe brands that will certainly please a lot of discerning feet.
Since having opened in November 2008 until this day, Catalogue carries shoes (and the occasional bag like RooTote) that are anything but run-of-the-mill. Their shoes have smarts and sass, each having unique backstories to tell. Some are products of eco-conscious minds that aim for a greener planet as with sneaker brand Simple, while others push the boundaries of design and material to create fashion-forward footwear such as in the case of plastic-pretty brand Melissa. But aside from the various style statements and relevant causes the brands hark and propagate, the common equivalent is that they all have the makings for what Davaoeños consider to be great buys for shoes: they have a laidback spirit, comfortable frames and do not sacrifice style. Read on to discover some of Catalogue’s featured brands:
Melissa (price range: P1,499 – P5,999)
Their story: It is hard to believe that Melissa is already 25 years old and counting as their yummy shoes seem to be ahead of their time, even in this day and age. Sculpted and shaped into objects of desire that are soft and supple on the feet, one forgets that they are made of lowly plastic. They are the new Brazilian bombshells.
Claim to Fame: This is a brand that is shown immense strength in their collaborations. But beyond the usual celebrated designer such as Vivienne Westwood, Melissa’s design partners are famed mavericks in the fields of architecture and modern art such as Zaha Hadid and the Campana brothers.
Creative Recreation (price range: P2,000 – P4,000+)
Their story: Founded in the fall of 2002 in California, Creative Recreation is the brainchild of Rich Cofinco and Robert Nand. These close friends, who became frustrated with existing choices in men’s footwear, came up with a range of urban styles that marry the comfort of an athletic sneaker and class of a dress shoe. The result is a snazzy crossbreed that is making a lot of noise in the contemporary shoe market and favored by noted fashionable men such as Kanye West and Usher.
Claim to Fame: Though relatively new to the Philippine market, Creative Recreation’s celebrity following is sure to catch the attention of style-conscious men and convince them of its serious street cred.
Anthology (price range: P2,000 – P4,000)
Their story: This proudly Philippine-made brand of chic footwear is backed by 20 years of shoemaking expertise, thoughtful design and technical care. They proudly put out classic designs that are what they call half-work, half-play and wholly comfortable. They are the sole embodiment of the well-groomed lass with an occasional penchant for a night out on the town.
Claim to Fame: The flexible soles and soft leathers of their signature Brussels and Capetown ballet flats are chic and comfortable enough to rival those of international brands like Tory Burch and Sue London.
Simple (price range: P1,000 – P3,000)
Their story: This “green” shoe brand is built on their commitment to making shoes that are 100% sustainable. They let the materials do the talking: old bike tires, cork, wool felt, unbleached hemp, silks, recycled plastics and even carpet padding. They study and go the lengths to prove that “green” can sell, and sell quite well at that.
Claim to Fame: The people behind Simple are true sticklers to their manifesto, which says: “how they make the shoes is just as important as why they make them.” Donning a pair of their sneakers is really a firsthand experience in walking on the side of Mother Earth. You’ll even get far since the beds of their footwear are known to cushion the feet while providing great support.
Along with the above brands, Catalogue also carries selected styles from Hotflops, Sanuk, ZooYork, Marc Ecko, Skechers, FitFlops, Nike, Adidas, Vans, Gola, TipToeyJoey, Pony, Giallo, K-Swiss, DC, Ellesse, Puma, Sapato Manila, Suelas and Bejeweled flipflops
Catalogue is located at the 2nd level of Gaisano Mall of Davao.
