For little girls who can’t wait to step into their mom’s shoes, there’s Nene Shoes.
The just-launched collection of mommy-and-me styles was developed by husband-and-wife team Froilan and Jasmine Mendoza, who saw a void in the market for a more sophisticated approach to the category.
Froilan, whose has startup and corporate experience, and Jasmine, who works for a major bank, have self-financed the venture. Both are newcomers to the footwear industry. Jasmine took on the role of designer, preparing by taking classes at Brooklyn Shoe Space in Brooklyn, N.Y., which offers workshops from shoemaking to leather-working.
The collection features updates on classic looks. The Emma, a ballet flat with a strap for girls, is $55, with a traditional slip-on version for adults at $85. There are even matching wedge styles, such as the Carmen for girls — a low version with a strap for $55 and matching version for moms, on a higher wedge and minus the strap, for $65.
While the debut collection is made in Asia, a higher-end companion line made in Italy will bow in February.
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So far, the Mendozas have found the perfect audience in the cast members of the Learning Channel’s “What She Said,” a show featuring female comics commiserating about motherhood, who have picked up the shoes.
The Mendozas are planning to add a boys’ collection of unisex styles that include more classic laceups. The shoes are available exclusively online, at Nene.shoes. Orders of matching mother-daughter styles will receive a 10 percent discount.
