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: Trina Villanueva, Los Angeles

I know, I know, it has been awhile since I've updated my shoe series. I feel bad whenever you guys tell me how much you love the series, then here I am not religiously doing it as I should. Eeeee! Zo zorry! But I promise to make up for it!

Today, I would like you to meet my sister Trina, who is a banker by day, and Bacardi by night. Just kidding. She's a beach bum/snow bunny on the weekends, which is doable if you live in California. Unlike me, she's the outdoorsy type. She may have a bit of the bohemian spirit in her, yet she's quite the practical shopper, scouring discount retailers and always shopping for the best deals.

While she does invest on Loeffler Randall boots, most of the shoes in her closet are sturdy, reasonably priced and are guaranteed classics. But of course, she also makes room for a couple of unconventional choices.

Work days: Pumps in all shades of neutral, from Cole Haan, Nine West, Bandolino

Weekends: Superga, TOMS and Asics

How many pairs of shoes do you own? 

30+ right now and except for 1 pair they're all less than 3yrs old. I had to throw away old faves whenever I move houses so I try not to get attached.

What's your shoe size?

US 7.5, 8, 8.5

Which pairs are your favorites? 

That's tough. but, My fave is easily my Diesel Aynis (top row, second from left).

Top 2 would be the Ivy by Loeffler Randall (top row, 1st on left).

Loved it so much that I got the over the knee Riley as well.

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

Ok, when it comes to wearing just 1 shoe, well it all depends on the purpose... Like for work, I like my Cole Haan Air peep toe pumps. I have a bunch of office shoes but I always go to this one.

I used to love my Cole Haan Air Violet wingtips but it's hot in LA and I like my feet to breathe! Now if I weren't working, I'm happy with any of my flip-flops.

What are your favorite shoe brands? 

Loeffler Randall is an easy fave, Cole Haan Air for work, DVF has some really comfy stilettos in buttery kid leather, I guess I don't pay attention to the brands so much. I browse based on looks then I decide based on comfort then lastly price. But comfort is my priority and I've noticed most expensive shoes are worth their price.

What's in your shoe lust list? 

Hmmm, Chanel flats would be nice as they're so comfy. I've always loved the collections at Chloe. I suppose a Stavros Melissinos haute sandals should be in every girl's closet

Where do you buy shoes?

Online!!! I hate to pay full price so i do wait for sales at department stores. I also love the outlets, Nordstrom Rack, DSW, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Saks Off Fifth, even Marshalls or TJ Maxx! I really love collections featured at Anthropologie and Madewell.

Quirky types: Biviel shoes spotted in an Anthropologie catalog, Zara TRF lace up mary janes

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

My plum Diesel Aynis. That colour was exclusive to London and I always get compliments on it. I used to wear a lot of black so it perks my wardrobe a little. But the reason why I can't throw it out is because we have a long history. I bought it at the Covent Garden flagship store to cheer myself up and I wore it everywhere. I have memories of hitting the London tube alarm then having to walk from Covent Garden to Russell Square in it because of the bomb scare; walking the snowy streets in SoHo in NY looking for another pair of winter boots; dancing at Orchard Towers with my friend Camille in Singapore; walking up and down the hills of San Francisco with my husband Jun... I just have so many fun travel memories with it. It has lots of character. I'm sure you can relate how shoes can transform a person...

Rain, Rain Don't Go Away!

What with stylish rain boots like these from Loeffler Randall and Plueys to welcome the rain by:

For the LRs, there are two styles out. First: a lace-up rubber rain bootie ($165) modeled after the Loeffler Randall June bootie,  and the second is a knee-high rubber rain boot ($195) which is modeled after the popular Matilde, as per Fashionologie.

The girls behind Plueys Manila also have a new line out, called REDRAIN. If you're not into cutesy rain booties, and just want a solid, no nonsense rain boot, then this might just be the one for ya!

Comes in firetruck red and panther black:

Buy it online at Php 2,250 a pair, here!