Melissa Shoes

Melissa, the Brazilian-based brand that churns out candy-colored mold-injected plastic shoes, is no stranger to collaborating with artists, architects and designers--it's part of who they are. Past design collaborators include Vivienne Westwood, Jason Wu and Gareth Pugh, just to name a few. Their latest collaboration is a fitting one, as it's with fellow Brazilian designer Pedro Lourenço. A much buzzed-about name to watch, Lourenço showed his first ready-to-wear collection in Paris to critical acclaim when he was just 19.

As we move into fall, it's starting to get a little too cold for ballet flats. And as much we love a good pair of four-inch booties, sometimes our feet need a break--from discomfort, not style. Add a little extra protection from the elements and we're sold. Thus, we are really loving this season's flat booties. No, we're not talking about Dr. Martens (not that we have anything against those), but there are far chicer options thanks to labels ranging from Proenza to Chloé to Zara. Click through for 11 that we'd like to run around in all season long. Don't forget to stock up on socks!

Emma Watson's Harper's Bazaar UK Cover: Watson continues to dazzle post-Potter with a stunning Jekyll-and-Hyde dual cover for the British mag's August issue. It's gorgeous and definitely more interesting than her Vogue cover. Which do you prefer, the lighter newsstand copy or the subscriber's darker edition? {Fashion Gone Rogue} Read: Suzy Menkes Questions Fashion Exhibitions: International Herald Tribune style critic wrote an excellent opinion piece on the proliferation of global fashion exhibitions, questioning the reasoning behind the trend and if fashion can really be considered museum-worthy art. A very worthwhile read for anyone who's ever seen a curated fashion exhibit. {NY Times}

Rag & Bone: Deal: Up to 65% off clothing, shoes and accessories When/Where: Thursday, June 16 through Sunday, June 19. Thurs 10:30am—8pm, Fri 10:30am—8pm, Sat—Sun noon—7pm. Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Ave between 15th and 16th Sts (no phone) Link: www.rag-bone.com Ends: Sunday, 19 Jun 2011 J. Crew Deal: Up to 60% off spring and summer apparel, shoes, and accessories. When/Where: Tuesday, June 14 through Saturday, June 18. Tues—Fri 10am—8pm, Sat 10am—4pm. 260 5th Ave between 28th and 29th Sts (212-725-5400) Link: www.jcrew.com Ends: Saturday, 18 Jun 2011 Melissa Deal: Up to 75% off sustainably-made, recyclable plastic shoes, including collaborations with Vivienne Westwood and Jean Paul Gaultier. When/Where: Wednesday, June 15 through Saturday, June 18. WedsૼFri noon—8pm, Sat 11am—5pm. 520 W. 27th St between Tenth and Eleventh Aves (no phone) Link: www.melissa.com.br Ends: Saturday, 18 Jun 2011

Melissa shoes is a company that makes plastic only shoes. Not in the "granola munching" way, but rather the "collaborated with Vivienne Westwood and Zaha Hadid" way. But Melissa's latest collab is a bit more mass market--it's with Barbie! In the Brazilian label's magazine, which stars Katy Perry (who else?), Barbie herself is styled in wild fashions while wearing Melissa's signature plastic shoe. I suppose it must be a nice change from her everyday pink plastic heels. Check out Barbie's turn as a model after the jump.