The direct-to-consumer sales model has changed the game for shoppers looking to score luxury-quality goods without a wallet-wearing markup. And it’s a retail trend that doesn’t seem to be slowing anytime soon (you don’t see *us* complaining). Joining the ranks of basics brand Everlane, glasses go-to Warby Parker and too-cool outerwear purveyor The Arrivals is M. Gemi, a brand promising high-end Italian-made footwear for girls on a budget.
You’ll find a pair of shoes for every occasion on the newly launched site. From power pumps that can command a boardroom or a bar depending on the color to weekend-ready loafers and booties, each set of steppers is handmade — cut and stitched by artisans using traditional methods passed down through the generations. And the selection of built-to-last shoes will just get bigger: M.Gemi plans on releasing brand-new styles every week, a perk it says comes from its close relationship with its makers. Turns out there’s more to love about M.Gemi’s factory-to-feet model than keeping prices at bay.
And the prices *are* impressive: all pairs are currently retail for under $300, a bargain considering Fashionista reports that it’s difficult to find a pair of Italian shoes for under $500. And since we’re pretty sure our latest Italian obsession — the Beyonce-designed Giuseppi Zanotti shoe — won’t break the mold in terms of dollar signs, we think we’ve officially found a pair of dream shoes that are totally attainable.
What shoe brands are you currently swooning over? Tell us in the comments below.