MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Isabel Toledo wants you to put your best foot forward — for less.
Toledo gave a glimpse into her new shoe and handbag collection for Payless ShoeSource on Wednesday at the W South Beach hotel in Miami Beach. The complete shoe collection launches on Sept. 7 in stores and the handbags will follow a few weeks later.
"This is heaven-sent because all of a sudden I am going to create work that is going to get out there on a mass level," Toledo said. "As a designer that is your goal, to communicate to the public and having someone wear my work, to see my work on someone else is very exciting. It's what you work for."
Toledo says that when Michelle Obama wore her bright lemongrass-colored inaugural ensemble, it made her a household name, even though she had been in business for 25 years.
The Cuban-American designer says the Payless collection — consisting of seven styles and three bags — was inspired by her life in New York. She thought of what shoes she would need and stuck to black, red and silver. The items range in price from $35 to $60.
"It was to capture a very practical elegance," she said. "I wanted to make the shoes that were strong, graphic, clear. It's a clear message so that you don't have to worry so much about what you are wearing on top. Your shoe has a statement."
She used rubber heels to make the shoes practical and comfortable. A faux black patent leather lace-up, cutout bootie has a thick yellow rubber heel. Toledo says red tights will look good with the cutouts.
"It's really to play with color and create different combinations," she said.
There is also a black pompom ballet flat and another flat, available in black and silver, that has cutouts and laces up in front. For night, there is a black pump with a red bow on the toe area. And for an edgier look, there is a high-heeled silver boot with faux grey fur. Handbags include a silver clutch, a large tote and a satchel, both have some red and faux patent leather on them.
Toledo, dressed in a long dress of wrinkled fabric with a red top and black bottom, says she is already working on the next collection. She has previously created footwear for Anne Klein in collaboration with Manolo Blahnik.