Behind the scenes at Calleen Cordero

alleen Cordero makes some of the most gorgeous shoes on the planet. Let's get that out in the open right off the bat. She designs and manufacturers them right here in the U. S. of A. And she has a wonderful eye for just the right proportion of sturdy and sexy and bling. Add in the fact that she loves working with all wood soles, and you have designer who's just perfect for this blog.

I've been fortunate enough to have three or four Calleen Cordero styles pass through my closet over the years. Each pair has been an exquisitely wrought piece of footwear art, and I'm sorry I have to say "pass through" because only two of them have been keepers. And not from any fault in the execution of these masterpieces in wood and leather. I'm just blessed with feet that require more room than I can count on at the high end of the size spectrum. Two of Calleen's styles have been keepers, affording me the right amount of inner sole space to make me feel comfortable wearing them. The other two had to be sent to more appreciative homes, the homes of two of my readers, in fact.

My favorite of the batch I've been able to test drive has been the Claudia. The gorgeous antiqued silver leather of this style has added the perfect accent to several significant occasions in my life. Thank you to the ECHID fan who traded this pair for another CC clog. I love 'em!

 

 

I've also enjoyed the studded wonder of a Calleen Cordero low-heeled clog whose style name I've forgotten. It's an easy-to-slip-on-and-go pair of shoes for sure. 

 

 

Both wood-soled styles provide that "hey, world, here I come!" sound that we clog lovers all know and love. In a perfect world, the only thing I'd change about these CC designs is that the soles are usually manufactured to be as light as possible. And though some people with feet may like to glide through the world without noticing that they have shoes on, but footwear fanatics such as myself (and I hope you, too) prefer to be aware of those unbelievably cool things we put on our feet before we left the house that morning. Please, Calleen, don't drill out so much wood in the wooden bases. Give us a little more weight so that the heft of your creations matches the impact of your designs!

Earlier this year, I received a press kit of factoids and photos from the workshop of Calleen Cordero. Since my readers have expressed curiosity about how their favorite kicks come into being, I thought I'd use this post to share a few tidbits and give you a couple of glimpses. 

 

•    Calleen Cordero is the only female who owns her own factory and who manufactures her luxury goods in the USA.

 

•    Calleen Cordero wood heels are sculpted by free hand.

 

 

•    Calleen Cordero uses recycled woods and woods from sustainable forests in the base of her shoes.

 

 

•    Calleen Cordero employs over 50 artisans who handcraft products daily. One pair of shoes may pass through as many as 25 different pair of hands throughout the process.

 

 

 

•    Calleen Cordero uses solid nickel, brass and chrome hardware which is kick pressed one by one into her footwear, handbags and accessories.

 

 

 

•    Calleen Cordero designs and manufactures luxury footwear, handbags and accessories to over 150 stores worldwide.

But you can whet your appetite here.

 

 

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[On my feet as I blog: one of John Fluevog's recent brainstorms, the Rainbow Boots.]

 

Comments

[Melissa]

Because of this blog, I have admired—and written about—Cordero's designs. A pair of her clogs figured prominently in a major life event for me. And her ad campaigns are always a visual feast. But now to learn each wooden sole is sculpted free-hand?! Holy crow! That is serious artistry, that is. Thank you so much for sharing this info, Lindsey—I will view her work with more awe than ever before.

[Debby]

aw geez, now I may have to have a pair.

[Lindsey Cochran]

Debby: I know how you feel. The closer I looked, the more I wanted to own a pair of her beautifully crafted shoes. In the interview I did with Calleen on ECHID, she told the story of getting her first pair of shoes made and taking them home to just stare at them for hours. I can relate. A well-crafted shoe is a thing of wonder and joy!

[Lindsey Cochran]

Debby: I forgot to mention that I found a number of my Cordero shoes on eBay for about half the price of the originals. Could be worth a Saved Search in your size!

[Lindsey Cochran]

Melissa: I, too, have a pair of Calleen Corderos that is now sacred to me, as important as a significant gesture or a signature turn of phrase. How wonderful that there are things that help capture and symbolize important moments for us!