MFO Shoe Series: Angela Dinglasan, Quezon City

Angela Dinglasan, is the big boss at Zenutrients, a social enterprise whose natural and organic beauty products have created a cult-like following. 

I am not kidding. I am just one of the many who buy the Zenutrients Gugo or Green Tea shampoo & conditioner by the liter, and order bottles of anti-mosquito spray like our lives depended on it. My friends are crazy about the All-Around Spahhhnitizer - it's great for spraying on sweaty yoga mats. Like I've said in an earlier post, I have never met a Zenutrients products I didn't like. 

Apart from my love for Zenutrients, another reason why I've instantly bonded with Angela is the fact that we both love shoes. It's just natural and organic for her too, ahihihi. So, just as she was about to open the latest Zenutrients outpost at the chic & cozy Century City Mall, we scheduled a shoe shoot with my Shoe Series partner in crime Camille King, making full use of the store's beautiful interiors (check it out yo, the lighting is by Olivia d'Aboville and the wall mural is by Soleil Ignacio), the perfect backdrop to a stunning shoe collection.

How many pairs of shoes do you own?
 

I haven't counted in years but the last time I did was because my husband and I made a bet to see who had more shoes. Surprisingly we were even at 80 each.

This is just but a snippet, folks! Cool background story on the diffused lighting on the top most portion - they're made of discarded plastic bottles!

What's your shoe size? 

6 / 36

studded pointy flats from Carbon

Donald J. Pliner wedges that's pretty from all sides

Which pairs are your favorites?

My camel high heeled strappy Camilla Skovgaard: because the are soooooooo comfortable and go with everything. I love the serrated heel she has in her shoes, it really provides cushion, making these easy go-to party shoes. 

Black kitten heeled Rockstud Valentinos: beyond the beauty and comfort (so comfy I dream of getting them in all their formats), I remember the hubby gifting me with the pair at the shoe salon at Bergdorfs, so they're extra special to me. 

Patent gold Manolo Blahniks: because who wouldn't love jewel tinted gold shoes? And yes, another gift from the hubby (clearly he knows I love shoes).

If you could only wear one pair of shoes, which one would it be? 

If I could only wear one pair of shoes: it would have to be the Adidas sneakers. They're my workout sneakers, and honestly the pair I use the most because I use these atleast three times a week.

What are your favorite shoe brands? 

Favorite shoe brands: Camilla Skovgaard, Valentino, Manolo Blahnik, YSL, Yosi Samara, Fendi

What's in your shoe lust list? 

Hahaha. The higher heeled Valentino Rockstud, Roger Vivier Virgule pumps, Aquazzura Freya pumps or Beverly Hills sandals, Rupert Sanderson heels, Lanvin flats, Manolo Blahnik BB white pumps

Where do you buy shoes? 

Everywhere hahaha!

Usually when I travel and online too. 

What's that one shoe you can't bear to give away or throw out? 

I'd never give away my Valentinos!  

Unless credited, all photos by Camille King of Camille King Photography. Like her Facebook page, HERE!

For more on Zenutrients, visit their website, Like their Facebook page. Better yet, visit the Flagship store in Kapitolyo, one of their 25 mall locations or in partner retailers, hotels, spas and salons.

MFO Shoe Series: Joni Andrea Ong, Manila

Joni calls herself a twentysomething ex-corporate slave/entrepreneur/multitasker. And when she says multitasker, she means it with a capital M. Apart from working for the family business where she handles brands such as Rio Mints and Titania foot care, she's also responsible for bringing in Rootote bags from Japan. One great perk of working for the family business is loads of time to do a lot of traveling. Her travels have taken her everywhere across continents, although a highlight would be spending a term of her college life in Lille, France. 

When it comes to shoes, her picks are multitaskers as well - ie shoes that can go anywhere and can go with everything. Joni shares that she is not really a stilettos type of girl. She prefers chunky heels or platforms. And she can’t live without her flats.

This is the entrance to my room. I like displaying my shoes in my room. I change the shoes, the

coat and so forth every now and then. Solimman combat boots (Dr. Marten’s look-alikes for only

Php800!), Monica Fig blue platforms

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

Ermm the press release is around 50 something haha.

These are some of my flats. I’m not ashamed to say that I love flats. I don’t understand how some girls can survive walking in heels the whole day. (clockwise) Repetto ballet flats, Solimman brogues (there was a time it was so hard to get brogues here in Manila so I ended up in Cubao X to get a custom made one. Fortunately, I spotted this pair on their shelves! It was custom made for a congressman who never returned for them), Opening Ceremony, Ferragamo, White Mountain (my mom’s old walking shoes when she was a teenager), Miu Miu

Currently, these are my favourite office shoes. I make sure that all the shoes I wear for work are comfy. I don’t like being bothered with my shoes when I’m working. Heel height is important, can’t be too high because I walk around A LOT (going from one meeting to another or doing trade visits). (L-R) Zara heels, Schu silver loafers, Kickers red heels, Melissa x Alexandre Herchcovitch pointed flats, Melissa Barbie-pink flats (they really look like those shoes my Barbies had)

Some of my sky high heels. Christopher Kane x Giuseppe Zanotti, YSL Tribute pumps, Dries van Noten heels, Nine West heels

Then, we have what my mom would call “you’ll never get a boyfriend” shoes or the Man Repeller shoes. Yup, every time I wear any of these pairs, she has a look of exasperation on her face. Melissa x Karim plastic heels (they look like they’re melting), Gold Dot Carmine mary janes (saw this pair in Sassa Jimenez’s recent collection and just knew I had to have them), Opening Ceremony x Chloe Sevigny mary janes, Marni heels

Some more Man Repeller shoes. Pierre Hardy x Gap sandals (so summer-y!), SM Parisienne platforms, All Saints wooden platforms, Andre Chang x Folded & Hung heels (my highest shoes so far).

What's your shoe size?

7.5 / 8

Which pairs are your favorites?

Monica Fig blue platforms. These shoes are so comfy. They’ve seen me through a lot of parties. I can dance in them all night.

Jimmy Choo tie dye kitten heels. I’m not really a Jimmy Choo fan but I couldn’t not buy this pair. Love the tie dye look and the surprising green heels.

Prada heels. When I’m feeling girly.

Marni. They look like kabuki heels.

Dries van Noten. I wear these a lot especially during business dinners/meetings. Not too high and really comfy because of the curved wooden heels.
 

If you could only wear one pair of shoes, which one would it be?

This is difficult! Hmmm for comfort sake, my Repettos or my Barbie-pink Melissas. I wouldn’t want to be wearing heels all the days of my life. My poor feet.

What are your favorite shoe brands?

Locally, Monica Fig, Gold Dot, Schu and SM Parisienne. All these brands have really comfortable shoes! I swear I can run in their shoes. Internationally, Marni, Dries van Noten, Prada.

What's in your shoe lust list?

Alexander Wang sandals. Love how they look like thorns wrapped around your feet.

Beige heels like this pair by Camilla Skovgaard

Suno x Loeffler Randall

Kermit Tesoro’s skull heels

Where do you buy shoes?

Everywhere! Haha. But more often than not, online (Multiply, Net-a-Porter), outlets, On Pedder, Cubao X.

What's that one shoe you can't bear to give away or throw out?

My mom’s old walking shoes. Or maybe my shearling boots from when I was living in France. Those shoes went through a lot – snow, beer, etc.

Joni blogs at http://limebasil.blogspot.com

MFO Shoe Series: Kat Dy, New York

Kat, as seen on Street Fashion at Refinery29 (outfit details - here)

If you read Cosmopolitan Philippines, then you know Kat Dy. She used to be the fashion editor until she moved to NYC to take further studies at FIT. Kat & I bonded over shopping, literally. She was researching on vintage shops in the LES for school, and our mutual friend Happy, Berry & I tagged along for the "sights". 

Kat loves shoes as much as she loves dressing up. There is no denying that. What is so great about Kat is that she is a seasoned shopper - she finds amazing pieces that cost next to nothing! Like the 99 cent silk blouse she is wearing above, and other thrift store surprises she comes across (read about her $1 pumps below). As an intern for the up to the NY minute website Refinery29.com, she also gets free stuff! How amazing is that!

Kat is proof that one can have flair & style without spending a fortune. She's got it down to a science. Read on about her inspired shoe escapades.

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

Here in NY, about 50 pairs more or less, but I left so much more in Manila! I sometimes get flashbacks of pairs that I own that would have gone great with an outfit. Back home, they were kept in Php50 plastic boxes I got at SM Department Store. Here they have taken over one side of our bedroom, and are all over the floor. My boots are stuffed inside our coat closet in haphazard order. I'm running out of space!

What's your shoe size?

Size 7

Which pairs are your favorites?

It always changes depending on the season. Last winter, it was my patent beige Schu loafers, leopard printed chain ankle booties (for when I go out), Alice+Olivia for Payless black and white oxford flats, flat brown boots that I customized with red laces, and Dolce Vita for Target lace up combat boots.

On her customized boots bought online at GoJane: Added the red laces to replicate the look of hiking boots. I gave my boyfriend colored laces so he could do the same with his boots. There are times when we end up wearing the same red laces and look matchy-matchy haha! Now, his sports blue ties. He also has green ones.

Oh and my lace-up Uggs duck snow boots. They're probably the most expensive pair of shoes I've ever bought but they were worth it—they kept my feet warm during New York's winter snowpocalypse.

This season, it's my French Sole "Love" sandals, Aerosole leather woven sandals, Tonic sandals, and again, my Schu loafers.

On her Tonic sandals & shoe repairs: I wore them so much the soles broke in half. I bought a similar pair online but the shape and color wasn’t the same. I ended up getting them resoled because the soles cracked and I didn't want to throw them away. I’ve spent probably more than $200 getting most of my shoes resoled, but the money is a good investment. With all the walking I do, my poor shoes are bound to get battered.

Here's a quick recap:

From L to R:

Black combat boots by Dolce Vita for Target. Easy to wear because of the angled zipper, which is the other thing that makes these boots cool.

Mango loafers. Not for walking in the entire day but the fasyon factor makes it a worthy purchase.

Schu patent loafers. Took a while to break them in but now that they’re appropriately worn in, I wear them often. They go with most anything.

Alice + Olivia black and white oxfords. Super comfy since it’s styled almost like a sneaker with a flat treaded rubber sole. I added the laces and I’ve worn them like that ever since.

Dexter leopard kitten heeled pumps. Bought these for a job interview, but I feel like I'm channeling Isabel Marant when I wear them.

Leopard booties. My favorite pair for going out since they have a comfortable heel height and the spots add that “rawr” factor!

If you could only wear one pair of shoes, which one would it be?

You do know that this is an impossible question to answer, right?

What are your favorite shoe brands?

None, really. I just buy whatever catches my eye and I can afford, with the latter always having the last say in the matter!

What's in your shoe lust list?

Reed Krakoff's boar hair ankle strap sandals.

Any Camilla Skovgaard wedges with the wicked serrated heels.

Penny and fringed loafers from Rachel Antonoff's collection for Bass

Alexander Wang nubuck booties, and the rose gold metallic tasseled loafers from his Fall 2011 collection.

And after several weekly visits to the West Village Shoegasm store to gaze longingly at Chelsea Crew's pink suede low-heeled sandals, I have finally decided to buy them! That and the Rachel Antonoff for Bass are probably the only things I can afford on this list haha!

Where do you buy shoes?

Anywhere! I made a recent purchase at the warehouse sale of a vintage retail chain here in NY. I picked up $3 patent leather loafers (that are absolutely heaven to wear), and two pairs of $1 vintage pumps. A few weeks ago, I impulsively bought a pair of Harajuku Lover's plastic wedge sandals at Daffy's for $20. I couldn't resist their bright yellow hue and saucy bows.

Outlet shopping: I discovered the French Sole outlet located on Lexington Avenue on the Upper East and have bought these pairs. 

1. The LOVE sandals are probably my comfiest pair ever and cushion my feet so well even after a day of intense walking. I bought them because of the fun metallic color combo but I didn't realize they spelled out "LOVE" until a friend noticed it. One time, I was standing in line at a coffee shop and a girl was staring at them until she finally asked me if she could snap a photo of them. 

2. The pink plastic striped ones are cute but leave my feet sweaty, yuck, so pampacute lang ito haha! 

3. The silver flats are adorable but after I bought them, I realized they were a copy of a Miu Miu style that I think you have Tin! J But they’re great when I want to be a bit dressy but don’t want to wear heels.

Perks of the job: Free shoes!
I’ve been lucky to score some free pairs, like the black Santogold for Vans collaboration sneakers and the Sorel snow boot, while working at Refinery29 (www.refinery29.com), a fashion news website. 
The blue Nikes are a sample I got from my boyfriend. His friend works in Nike Europe and he gave these to me. They also come with orange laces. 

What's that one shoe you can't bear to give away or throw out?

I don't think I've every really consciously thrown out anything. But I have a couple pairs of beaded velvet mule slippers purchased at the Filipiniana section of SM Department Store back home that I will probably keep forever. They're the ones that lolas love to wear but I just KNOW that I will be able to wear them out again. They're just that comfy and fab!

For more of Kat & her finds, visit her blog, Kat Dy Finds.