The J Maskrey x Melissa collection
If it’s good enough for Cate Blanchett, it’s good enough for me, I thought as J. Maskrey pointed out the crystal-embellished sandals that the Oscar-winning actress has previously worn. You would think that with all the shoes in the world at her disposal, Blanchett would never have even considered wearing “jelly shoes”, right?
But these aren’t any ordinary flat shoe. The skin jewellery designer has been collaborating with jelly-shoe brand Melissa longer than any other person. By the way, J. Maskrey skin jewellery are hand crafted pieces of self-adhesive jewellery that can be applied to any part of the body. Her skin jewellery has had a one page spread in I-d magazine and mentions in US Vogue, is stocked at Browns store in London and she’s done big-name collaborations with the likes of Lancome, Givenchy and Kenzo.
From left: The J Maskrey x Melissa Spider, Ultragirl and Ultragirl II
The J. Maskrey x Melissa collection includes the ankle strap Spider sandal – Blanchett’s choice – and two versions of the Ultragirl ballerina flats that have been abundantly sprinkled with Swarovski crystals, but these aren’t shoes that require special care. “The crystals will never fall off. Melissa has come up with a top-secret special formula for the glue used to attach the crystals onto the shoes,” explained Maskrey who was in Singapore for the preview of Melissa’s Autumn Winter 2014 collection. She also added that you could play football in them and not a single hand-glued crystal will go missing.
Maskrey approached Brazilian shoe brand Melissa in 2000; apparently she had a fondness for “jelly shoes” as a kid and her “first every part time job was in a flip flop factory.”
The skin jewellery designer and U2's makeup artist
“I was travelling with U2 when I looked out of the aeroplane and was inspired by the night sky,” said Maskrey of her inspiration for the collaboration. Yes, the designer still works as a makeup artist for the rock band and yes, the member’s wives all have pairs of the Melissa shoes.
“They make quite a clear statement, you don’t need to be over doing it,” said Maskrey about how one can just wear the shoes with jeans or a simple little black dress.
The sparkly crystals on the clear Ultragirl flats remind me of Cinderella shoes and I agreed with the designer – you don’t have to do much to make an impact when you are wearing these. Move over heels, J. Maskrey x Melissa flats are taking over.
The J. Maskrey x Melissa collection are priced from $500 and available at at the Mdreams boutique, #B2-03, Wheelock Place. For more information about Melissa, go to www.mdreams.com.sg. You can follow the brand on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Melissa.Shoes.Singapore.