Mallory Musante Shoes Pops Up Boutique on Federal Hill

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Rachel Eides, GoLocalProv Contributor

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The "Maya," which will debut at StyleWeek Providence in September. Photo: Daniel Gagnon

Shoe heaven is coming to Rhode Island for one month.

Mallory Musante Shoes is opening a pop-up store in Providence with a new limited edition collection created for the sophisticated RI women with a unique spunky edge.

“RI women will love that all my shoes are each individually hand painted by me so each and every one of them is a completely one-of-a-kind pair,” said Musante.

The store will be opening with a launch party on Saturday, August 20 from 6pm-9pm. “It is going to be a fun celebration of our pop-up store with friends, family and all our RI supporters,” said Musante. “Select designs will be 20% off and we will be offering a variety of snacks and drinks for our guests to enjoy while they mingle and shop.” The store will remain open through the month of September. Operating seven days a week, MMS promises to offer great events and promotions throughout the month.

A fashionable idea

Mallory Musante Shoes is a new footwear brand that started in May 2009 by its namesake, Mallory Musante, after she was frustrated with not being able to find unique shoes that expressed her personality. Mallory Musante Shoes are genuine leather with acrylic (non-chip) paint, bold colors, and unique hand painted designs that are sure to express your personality and personal style perfectly. Customers also have the elite option of working exclusively with Mallory Musante to create and design a personal look to match their soles. Looks have been worn by reality TV star Alex McCord from The Real Housewives of New York and have even graced the runway at New York Fashion Week.

“I’m originally from Mystic, CT but I really conceived the idea of hand painting shoes during my junior year at Bryant University,” said Musante. “I met someone that hand painted sneakers at a conference I attended with a Bryant organization, which really caught my attention since I have a love for both shoes and painting. I developed the idea while at Bryant and I even continue to work with my mentor Sandra Potter, a Bryant professor.”

“Providence has really embraced me,” said Musante. “I actually joke and tell people that Providence is my second home since I spend so much time here.”

Just in time for StyleNight Out

This announcement comes just in time for StyleNight Out (SNO). Held on Saturday, August 27 from 4pm-6pm, SNO features mini-events held at participating vendors and a night of shopping, art, entertainment, and culture. Some vendors are participating by offering the public discounts, gift-with-purchase merchandise and prix-fixe menus, while others will be hosting select StyleWeek Providence runway designer installations, in-store cocktail events with DJ, entertainment, product sample making and more. The new Mallory Musante storefront will be one of the hosting vendors.

Musante shoes on the runway in September

MMS will be participating in StyleWeek Providence in the Accessory Showcase. This season, the Accessory Showcase will be held August 31 to September 3 from 3:30pm-6:30pm. StyleWeek Providence will be held August 28 to September 3 at the Providence Performing Arts Center. MMS is also collaborating with designer Avni Trivedi. MMS is designing shoes uniquely for the designer’s runway show during StyleWeek on Sunday, August 28 at 6pm. Avni Trivedi’s designs, a marriage of her Indian heritage and love of western fashion, is a perfect match for MMS with rich fabrics and vibrant handmade elements.This is MMS’s second time as a designer at StyleWeek Providence. The first time was January 2011.

“StyleWeek Providence was such a fun experience in January but if I had to pick a favorite [part], I would say participating in the Accessory Showcase,” said Musante. “I love being able to have a more personal connection with customers and the Accessory Showcase definitely allows me to create a relationship with people. But I’m also excited to see them strut down the runway during Avni Trivedi’s A Mid-Summer Night's Dream Runway Show on August 28,” said Musante.

“I find inspiration for my designs everywhere I go but Providence is such a beautiful and creative city that it is nearly impossible to not be inspired,” said Musante.

The Pop Up: Mallory Musante Shoes (MMS), 372 Atwells Avenue, Providence.