Do you belong to the church of Chie Mihara? Because for anyone who has suffered through long hours in high heels, discovering Chie Mihara is like finding religion! This Spanish designer preaches (and practices) the gospel that beautiful and feminine shoes can also be comfortable!

Born in Brazil to Japanese parents, Chie Mihara studied fashion design in Japan and New York City before establishing her company in Spain. Her multicultural background comes into play whenever she designs a shoe: Brazil’s celebration of the feminine, Japan’s penchant for innovative design, the get-it-done practicality of NYC, and Spain’s appreciation of craftsmanship. Her vintage-inspired styles, embellished with playful details, all feature a footbed Chie designed specifically to accommodate a woman’s foot. And once you’ve walked a mile in her heels, you’ll never again be satisfied with anything less.

Our first shipment of Chie Mihara’s fall styles just arrived, and in a word: WOW! Witness for yourself:

Oxfords are all the rage right now, and Chie gives hers a feminine twist:

A blue leather lace-up with three rows of ruffles? Be still our shoe-loving hearts! The Chie Mihara Loti has us under its spell!

But maybe you’re a member of Team Mary Jane rather than Team Oxford (not that you have to choose):

Fact of life: You can never have too many red shoes! And when you find one as pretty as Chie’s red suede Nilon, why resist temptation? We guarantee you”ll have no regrets—only shoe-wearing joy!

You say what you really want is a gorgeous ankle boot? Chie, again, answers your prayers:

It’s as if Ms. Mihara has magically melded a Victorian lace-up with a riding boot and thrown in a little extra ‘zazz to create the Narista!

For those who like to amp up the volume both in terms of height and unabashed femininity, prepare to say oo-la-la:

Altogether now, “OOH-LA-LA!” The Vasca is the height of old-school Hollywood glamour!

We love that ocean blue leather, but some days we want to step into the world with bang-pow-razzle-dazzle-wow:

Hello, Veranito! This fringy, ruffled, fuchsia peep-toe is Chie’s gift to femme fetales everywhere! Go forth and be fabulous!

And there are five more equally amazing, new Chie styles at the main Ped site. So cast those misery-making, ankle-aching stilettos into the back of the closet, and shout, “Hallelujah!” because Chie Mihara’s heels are nothing short of heaven!

(And, just fyi, this week’s “Sweet Treat” is Trippen’s über edgy Stream sandal boot. Simply click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of this page or any Ped page, and you’ll land at the Stream with the magic code to give you 20% off at checkout.)

Ped fans, did you hear about the discovery of the oldest known leather shoe? Archaeologists found it in an Armenian cave, and scientific testing has determined the lace-up bootie dates to 3653–3627 B.C. (holy cow!) and was worn by woman on her approximately size 7 right foot. Although its mate is missing,  there is no doubt a prehistoric fashionista wore this shoe because the sole bears the imprint of her big toe and shows evidence of having been repaired several times.

By Associated Press/Deptarment of Archaeology University College Cork. Provided by the Department of Archaeology University College Cork, Cork Ireland, this photo shows a well preserved and complete shoe that was recovered at the base of a Chalcolithic pit in the cave in Armenia.

This Armenian discovery is astonishing, but it doesn’t altogether surprise us. After all, Cydwoq founder, Rafi Balouzian, comes from a long line of Armenian shoemakers. In the early 1900s, Rafi’s grandfather was a renowned master shoemaker in Armenia, and Rafi’s  father also went into the business, establishing a factory that manufactured shoe parts.

After moving to the United States, Rafi himself went into fashion design, but left it briefly to pursue post-graduate degrees in interior architecture and environ- mental design. But the man is a walker, and, eventually, he walked right back into his  family’s shoe-making tradition, founding Cydwoq in 1996.

So, what do Cydwoq’s cutting-edge styles of today have in common with that Armenian shoe from 5600 years ago? More than you might think: Cydwoq’s handmade construction is all-leather, using carefully selected  hides that are vegetable-dyed and put together using water-based glues. And like the ancient shoe, all Cydwoq sandals, shoes, and boots conform to your foot over time for a custom fit. If you manage to walk through the sole or have any other problem, Rafi and his Cydwoq colleagues will happily make the necessary repairs.

Here are three of our latest Cydwoq additions, which showcase the long-long-long-long-long-established Armenian commitment to comfort, and durability, plus Rafi’s modern-day dedication to style.

Every time we look at Cydwoq’s gorgeous new Pi Bootie, we go a little weak in the knees. Fortunately, if we were wearing this beauty, we’d manage to stay on our feet because Rafi has placed the heel in just the right spot for maximum stability and comfort. Truly, the Pi is one for the ages—good design is timeless!

Another new style that’s captured our hearts is the Cydwoq Gamma:

What a great flat! Classic but utterly modern! Buckle up for a lifetime of easy walking.

Finally, here’s the Cydwoq Orient, which I think bears a slight resemblance to its long-lost ancestor:

Knit leather—could anything be cooler, both literally and figuratively? So fun to wear, this treasure will make you the talk of the town!

In The New York Times story about the discovery of the ancient shoe, Armenian doctoral student, Diana Zardaryan, who pulled the shoe out from its grass-lined storage spot, is quoted as saying, “To find a shoe has always been my dream.” We know just how she feels! Thank you, Rafi, for making our modern-day dreams come true.

(Incidentally, the “sweet treat” this week is another fantastic Cydwoq style: the Gaudi heeled sandal. You still have a few more days to click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper corner of any Ped page to reach the magic code that will give you a cool 20% discount on this summer stunner.)

Hey, Ped fans, we haven’t officially announced our summer sale yet, but we’ve  already started the price-cutting party—and, of course, you’re invited! The Ped warehouse is only so big, and since our fall shipments are due to arrive any day, we need to make some room! Now’s the time to grab a hot summer style at a deliciously cool price.

Here’s just a taste of what awaits you at the main site:

One of our favorite sandals this season is the Cydwoq Vintage Iron:

Cut with graceful precision, it’s the picture of artistic sophistication. Yet this flat is easy to wear anywhere! Lovely at $252, it’s even prettier at $199.

We’ve fallen in love with platform wedges this summer, and Accessoire’s Iseult is one of our biggest crushes:

All of the height with none of the pain, and such a gorgeous color! If you haven’t tried our Accessoire line from France, now is the perfect time to discover how deliciously comfortable their designs are. Wonderful at $292, the Iseult is even easier to slide into at $233.

Speaking of fabulous wedges, they don’t get any more fabulous than Coclico’s Whisp:

Between the lightweight cork sole, the zipper up the back, the sinfully soft leather, and the Whisp‘s works-with-everything color combo, there’s a lot to like! Sexy at $364, it’s even more seductive at $298.

Another sandal with smokin’ sex appeal is the Cordani Tia:

You’ll set the streets on fire when you step out in this sizzler, but your tootsies will stay cool and comfortable because that’s Cordani’s specialty! Worth every penny at $328, the “wow” becomes “WOW!” at $262.

There are plenty more wallet-pleasing reductions at the Ped site, so click on over and see what strikes your summer fancy. With deals so sweet, don’t your feet deserve a little sugar?

(Incidentally, we are offering the absolute sweetest “Sweet Treat” this week: Fiorentini + Baker’s Eternity Boots. For those who complain we never put the Eternity on sale—and you know who you are—here’s your chance to score a pair of the best boots ever for 20% off. Just click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to reach the special discount code. But act fast because this super sweet treat will only last seven days!)

Not that kind of necking—we’re talking scarves, beautiful, colorful, soft, and light-as-a-feather scarves from Epice! They’re the latest additions to the Ped lineup!

French for “spice,” Epice is the creation of Danish designers Bess Neilsen and Jan Machenhauer, who launched their artistic textile line in France in 1999. The pair collaborate with master weavers in India to translate their vibrant, complexly patterned designs into wearable expanses of soft cotton and silk. Exquisite to touch, Epice scarves feel wonderful wound around your neck, but they’re also wide enough to wear as shawls—perfect when you need a little something on a summer evening.

See for yourself:

I personally own Epice’s Garden Party scarf, and I wear it all the time!!!

The colors of this all-cotton, floral delight will instantly lift your spirits!

At Ped HQ, we have a well-known weakness for stripes and dots, so we were down for the count when we discovered these next two treasures. First, representing the stripe camp, the appropriately named Stripe Party scarf:

Woven from cotton with just a touch of silk, this gorgeous scarf has a nautical air (think French sailor’s shirt) without any yacht-club stuffiness. We love Epice’s playful juxtaposition of the various colors!

And on the dotty side of things, we have the Dot-a-licious scarf:

This wonderful all-cotton number makes us think of dominoes (preferably played on the porch with a tall glass of iced tea).

Dots and stripes also jazz up the dazzling pattern of the Epice Festival scarf (use the “zoom” at the Ped site to see what we mean):

If you’re a regular reader, you’ve probably guessed this cotton and silk beauty is Laura’s favorite—orange and turquoise have her heart! We agree; the Festival scarf is worth celebrating!

So why let your neck go naked this summer when you can wrap it up with a sassy and soft Epice scarf? Spice is nice!

(Just fyi, if you haven’t already discovered it, this week’s “sweet treat” is Cydwoq’s Mandarine sandal! Just click “be sweet to your feet” at the top of this or any other Ped page to reach the Mandarine with its 20% off discount code!)

Via our shoes and accessories, Ped has traveled to lots of exotic destinations and participated in all kinds of exciting events, but none more glamorous than the Cannes Film Festival! We recently tagged along to the international see-and-be-seen scene with terrific longtime Ped customer, Seattle-based Emily Glassman, who is the head of Marketing and PR for the Internet Movie Database (imdb), the go-to online source for all movie-related information.

In mid-May she wrote, “I love you/your shoes/your site SOOO much. Thanks for making it so easy and fun to shop,” and then she added, “I’m headed to the Cannes Film Fest tomorrow and am delighted to be bringing four pairs of Ped shoes with me!!” Now there’s a Tale of the Sole!!! We excitedly asked Emily to send us a few photos of Ped’s visit to Cannes via her feet, and she obliged.

Emily's Cydwoq Heli sandals look right at home among the yachts on the French Riviera.

If you, too, want to get the canny Cannes Cydwoq look, alas, we don’t have the Heli this year… BUT we do have Cydwoq’s Naked sandal, which is a close—and cute!— approximation (ankle strap and all)!

Emily also looked chic in her Chie Mihara Rocosa heeled sandals!

Emily rocking the boyfriend jeans with her Chie Mihara R0cosa.

Whatever she’s directing, we’re on board with it, given how gorgeous she looks in her Chie’s! When she sent us this photo, she wrote, “Dayna: more Cannes happiness in my glorious AND comfortable Ped shoes. If only I had worn nothing else all week long.”

After reading and seeing (and dreaming) about Emily’s strolling among the rich and famous and fabulously talented in her Ped shoes, our smiles couldn’t be any wider. So, for making our month by taking Ped along to hobnob with the film glitterati in France, we are delighted to give Emily $100 in Ped credit!

Do you have a Tale of the Sole? Tell us—and show us (we LOVE pictures!!!)—what happened to you while wearing a Ped item, and you, too, might be the recipient of $100 in Ped credit. Each month we pick the most sole-ful tale to share on the blog. So, let us know what in the world you’ve been doing in your Ped!

(Incidentally, another shoe with movie-star quality is Cordani’s Tia sandal, which just happens to be this week’s “Sweet Treat.” Click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page—including this one—and get 20% off this super-sexy heeled style!)