Review: Matt & Nat summer shoes
Matt & Nat are a Montreal-based accessories brand who produce 100% vegan bags, wallets, footwear and so on. Shown here are the Rio slip-ons, which can be found for as little as $10 USD if you know where to look! I love the little black slip-ons; they're light enough to wear as house shoes but can also be worn with a little black dress and splash of Chanel No.5 if heels just aren't your thing.
Matt & Nat also sent me a pair of pointy-toe Nero mules ($70 MSRP) which are very comfortable with a hint of boho chic. Like most Matt & Nat creations they can be dressed up or down easily. Overall the quality was impressive, though I was concerned that they're made in China with no indication about factory conditions. Also, the third pair of shoes I had, Ishii mules, were distinctly lower in quality.
Ishii are distinctly cute gypsy shoes, and I was quite keen to see what they did with such a detailed slipper compared to the simpler Nero style. Overall they were disappointing. The beading was loose in several places, there was a pen mark on the bottom of the shoe, the glue was shoddily and visibly applied, including where it clogged some decorative grommets, and the heel decorations scuffed very easily. When they're actually on - without somebody examining them close-up - they are adorable and very comfortable, but you may start worrying about whether they're actually going to last. At $70 USD for non-leather (since they're vegan) shoes I expect better. Stick with the simple ones, guys; the Nero and Rio are adorable. [GT]
Product page: Matt & Nat
Related stories: Put on your recycled dancing shoes | Even more affordable vegan shoes | Worn Again: from parachutes to hippy trainers | Green shoes with vegan option
See also Hippyshopper sister site: Shoewawa
In reference to the above comment regarding Matt and Nat's handbags being made in China without indication as to factory coniditions, I do not believe that to be true. In the "About Matt and Nat" section of their website (www.mattandnat.com) it reads, "the production of the line is made in China, where we travel on a regular basis to ensure that employees have adequate working conditions and that there is no child labour in the factories that we employ". I think the company is upholding not only their commitment to animal rights, but human rights as well.
Posted by: JackieO | August 2, 2006 3:18 PM