There’s no place like home for Calleen Cordero. The designer is a California girl who produces her footwear line entirely from her West Hollywood factory.
“There are so many advantages — and it’s especially a designer’s dream come true — to be able to conceptualize a design and have it brought to life before your very own eyes. Another is having a lighter footprint on the environment by not having to source or manufacture overseas,” she said. “We make most of our components in-house, and the rest we source locally. This allows us the luxury of being able to oversee all aspects of production and quality.”
Cordero is excited about the offerings she has on deck for fall ’15 and spring ’16. “My favorite item this fall is the Tiba boot in a distressed brown leather — a mid-calf pointy-toe bootie that you can wear with anything,” she said. “For spring, I’m loving our new pumps with a double-padded footbed. They’re so comfortable and just the right height.”
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To give back to the local community, the brand plants two trees (through Trees for the Future) for every pair of shoes, handbag or accessory sold, including online and at the label’s two stores. Here, Cordero shares her love of tequila, her home state and the best rom-com to watch over and over.
Must-see sand spot: “The beautiful beaches of Nayarit, Mexico.”
Guilty pleasure: “My new one is Tres Generaciones Organic Silver Tequila. Yum!”
Movie I can watch on repeat: “Sounds corny, but I love ‘Valentine’s Day.’ It always makes me laugh.”
Product I can’t live without: “Oh, the many uses of coconut oil. It’s truly amazing.”
Musician of the moment: “I’d love to see Rihanna. Loving her collaboration with Paul McCartney, ‘Four Five Seconds.’”
Best U.S. destination: “California rocks! The nature is so diverse, from the beaches of Los Angeles to the sand dunes of Pismo Beach to the redwoods of Big Sur and Yosemite, and on and on.”
