Dean was born in Los Angeles in 1999 when its founder couldn’t find a watchband that combined vintage quality with a modern sensibility. He decided to design and make what he had in mind. And we’re so glad he did because 13 years down the road, Dean is producing some of the finest leather goods we’ve ever encountered, each meticulously crafted by hand in the Dean L.A. studio. The materials are luxe. The designs are interesting and architectural. And the colors are eye-opening!

Take a look!

The quickest way to our hearts at Ped HQ is with a small bag for those times when we only need to carry a few items (e.g. cell, keys, ID, and cash). Dean’s Rivet Wallet is just the thing!

Perfect! We especially love the wrist strap that lets us slip it on and go! But that strap also detaches so the Rivet Wallet can easily slip into a larger bag, where it keeps the bibs sorted out from the bobs.

At the other end of the size spectrum is Dean’s wonderful Suede Tote:

What a gorgeous way to haul everything you need for a day on the go—books, files, even a small laptop! And the suede is so delicious to touch!

Speaking of things that you might slip into that tote, couldn’t your iPad use a classy new cover?

We love the lean elegance that characterizes Dean’s designs. Undo the twin rivets of this clean-lined case to reveal an interior with four elastic corner straps to hold your iPad securely without obscuring the screen.

That laptop case would also fit sweetly into Dean’s smashing Thimble Bag:

This knockout everyday bag takes its name from the two stainless steel thimbles that attach the shoulder strap to the bag. With Dean, hardware always marries form and function in aesthetic wedded bliss! (By the way, we also have the Thimble Bag in black leather and fuchsia suede, too.)

Looking for something a little more capacious that could work as an overnight bag? Feast your eyes on the Dean Bell Bottom Bag:

Just looking at its picture, you can practically feel how buttery the leather is! Plus, Dean realized an extra-big bag needs an extra-hearty strap made to stay on your shoulder, so they lined the Bell Bottom Bag‘s generous shoulder strap with suede to help it stay put! (We also offer this beauty in brown.)

Looker for something a little leaner? Check out the simple yet edgy Dean Zip Clutch:

A charming companion for a night on the town, the Zip Clutch opens to reveal two credit card slots and a larger slot, perfect for holding concert tickets.

When you need to carry a bit more, like a book to read on the train or plane, Dean’s Towner Bag has you covered:

Every season, Ped’s Laura falls in love with one item above and beyond all others, and this spring it’s the Towner Bag! From the long leather tab ducking under the silver bar on its front flap to its cool woven sides and double-buckled shoulder strap, the Towner is truly crush-worthy!

So bag your old bag, and start a meaningful relationship with Dean! It’s sure to last for years!

(Speaking of beautiful bags, have you checked out this week’s Sweet Treat? It’s Cydwoq’s stellar Stamp Bag! Click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Stamp Bag with the code that will bring a welcome 20% off at checkout! Swinging!)

Something catch your eye on the Ped color wheel? Here’s how to reach it (clockwise from F+B’s fabulous green shoe at the top): Fiorentini + Baker Eliza Oxford, Argila Allie, Fiorentini + Baker Ding Clog, Coclico Yoni, Trippen Bora, Vialis Claudette, and Cydwoq Cobra.

Have fun shopping for ways to sashay through May (and June and July and August…) ! Remember, the discount code is pffft after Friday, May 11.

A great place to start is with Antipast’s picnic of summer socks, which we just unpacked at the Ped warehouse! Whether you wear these Japanese treats with closed-toe shoes or walk the cutting edge by synching them with heeled sandals, Antipast’s socks are guaranteed to bring smiles wherever you go!

An argyle sock defines “classic,” but, of course, Antipast’s Emiko and Junko give it a unique spin, mixing up the colors by adding a contrasting border at the top:

Feeling bold? Why not take the Antipast Cross Diamond Sock in blue in a decidedly un-classic direction by wearing it with the Vialis Arabelle? Dynamite!

Want to wear a flirty skirt with a taller sock? We’re crazy about Antipast’s Monet Knee High!

If you really want to make an impression (sorry, we couldn’t resist), imagine pairing the blue version with Fiorentini + Baker’s Floss slingback peep toe:

Antipast has so much fun playing with whimsical patterns, and this season, one of the juiciest jazzes up the  Citrus Socks:

Combine this sweet sock in black with Accessoire’s Tamba, though, and it takes a turn towards vintage chic:

As every Ped fan knows we have a thing for striped socks! So of course, we’re over the moon for Antipast’s Railroad Over The Knee:

Want to make sure everyone remembers you (and leave people with their jaws on the ground)? Then consider taking the sexy-schoolgirl look to the extreme by pairing the Railroad in red with the Argila Allie.

Like the idea but prefer to scale it back a notch? Go for the Railroad in trouser length.

We realize these looks aren’t for everyone, but if you have the arty verve to put them into action, they’re sure to turn heads! And let’s face it, just thinking about the possibilities makes getting dressed much more fun! There are plenty more Antipast styles to spark your imagination over at the main Ped site! So get psyched about socks!

(By the way, the Sweet treat this week is really, really, really sweet: Fiorentini + Baker’s Emma Boot! Click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Emma with the code that will bring a sugary 20% off at checkout! Mmmmmm, now that’s tasty!)

So we present a Ped ode to Roy G. Biv, patron saint of all things colorful!

R is for red, revved up and ready to go, all of which describe the new Cydwoq Indies!

R is also for riveting, which describes this boot both figuratively and literally since the construction is all rivets—not one stitch!

O is for orange (Laura’s favorite!), so juicy in Fiorentini + Baker’s Elgin Boot:

Although F +B calls this shade “Indian Red,” it’s a lovely and soft orange reminiscent of canyons at sunset. The perfect boot to wear with a floaty summer dress!

Y is for yellow, one of the “it” colors this season. Yellow always makes us smile, and Cydwoq’s Submit makes us smile even wider!

A great everyday sandal, the Submit is one to leave by the door (especially if that door is at a beach house)! Slip it on and off you go!

G is for green (Dayna’s favorite!) and all things good and growing. G is also for Germany, the birthplace of Trippen’s Fountain:

Let your cutting-edge style bust out like leaves in spring when you lace up this boot! Steal the scene with your green!

B is for blue, which exudes mystery and romance in a heel like Accessoire’s Safari:

What a way to make an entrance! Old Hollywood glamour is alive and sizzling in the Safari!

I is for indigo, the inky rich hue that’s almost black but not quite and much more interesting. Exhibit A (or should we say I): the Trippen Aloe.

See what we mean? What a delicious color for a tasty style that easily transitions from spring to summer to fall!

V is for violet, a color that always inspires oohs and aahs! How lovely it looks on Accessoire’s Sagan:

Tres chic! Buckle up this girly wedge, and feel the love as the compliments cascade over you!

All hail Roy G. Biv! And when you wear any of the above beauties, your feet will feel as good as the gold in the pot at the end of the rainbow!

(Psst, have you checked out this week’s Sweet Treat? It’s Coclico’s knockout Klucia! Simply click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to arrive at the Klucia with the magic code that brings 20% off at checkout! Set off sparks and break some hearts!)

But that was before VIALIS!

Those Spanish geniuses have taken the humble wood-soled clog and transformed it into blue-flame hotness, creating designs more appropriate for the catwalk than the checkout line at the co-op. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that!) What Vialis hasn’t changed is the comfort; every sandal and shoe offers mile after mile of blissful walking.

Plus, Vialis shoes are beautifully made with an eye to craftsmanship and detail. Check out this video that demonstrates why Vialis is so special:

Is your curiosity piqued to see Ped’s new Vialis clogs? Get ready to have your socks knocked off (which is just fine because every pair feels fantastic barefoot)!

Let’s get this party started with a style that’s both sunny and sexy, Vialis’ Mimi:

The perfect companion for  your favorite summer dress or clamdiggers, this sandal will make everyone smile! A t-strap always elongates the leg line, but this one’s extra special, thanks to the central raised seam with contrast top-stitching—a little accent with big impact! (We also have the Mimi in versatile black.)

Vialis uses a similar detail to good effect in the Arabelle:

You know how much I adore a green shoe, and this shade makes me swoon! Then again, the Arabelle also sets off fireworks in red! And like every pair of Vialis clogs, a suede-covered padded footbed keeps the wood sole comfy!

If you prefer a closed toe, Vialis has you covered(!) with the Sara:

Mi corazon! This flirt of a shoe will win admirers everywhere you walk! We love the clean design, accented only by the exposed nail heads around the perimeter. Plus the seamed toe creates such an elegant line. (You noir lovers will be happy to hear this knockout also comes in black!)

Looking for something a little more casual but still smokin’? Feast your eyes on the Vialis Claudette:

Low key enough for work but still hot enough for after-five cocktails, the Claudette is an ideal go-to shoe. Wear it to run errands! Wear it to the Riviera! It’s as versatile as they come! (Plus we also have this beauty in azul blue.)

Not high on heels? Don’t worry, Vialis has something for you, too! How cute is the Sophie?

We love the playful take on oxford styling, especially the slightly oversized ribbon lacing! So fun!

If it’s color you’re after (and as I told you last post, it’s the wave of the future), drink in the loveliness of Vialis’ Lulu:

Oo la la, Lulu! Could that azul blue nubuck be any juicer? Only Vialis could spin the classic mary jane into such a dazzling clog!

But what about just a regular clog, you say? Well, yes, Vialis has that, too:

Lean, clean, and devastatingly chic—that’s the Vialis Claris! We adore the sage green nubuck, but this favorite clog also comes in go-with-everything sand.

So, clunk no more in traditional clogs! Step up to Vialis’ wood soles with soul!

(Speaking of wood, have you seen this week’s Sweet Treat, the Argila Allie? Its sculpted wooden heel is truly a thing of beauty—along with the rest of its retro-inspired design! Buckle it up for 20% off when you click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page, which will whisk you to the Allie with the magic discount code to enter at checkout.)

For Ped to carry a line, it has to persuade me of four things: 1) it’s made with an eye to social and environmental ethics; 2) the company prioritizes outstanding craftsmanship using the very best materials; 3) the designs are comfortable and easy to wear; and 4) the goods must have style for miles!!!

I work hard on these trips! But I also have a lot of fun! I love soaking up European culture and observing new trends. Come along for a vicarious ride!

When I landed in Milan, spring was in full swing, even though it was early March. The colors were so beautiful!

A Milanese flower vendor's stall on the way to the Fiorentini + Baker showroom! Gorgeous!

Flowers weren’t the only colorful spectacle—check out this dazzling display for Louis Vuitton:

What a creative use of arrows!

Fabulous shoes were everywhere! Even in the gourmet food section of La Rinascente!

Have your shoes and eat them, too! Chocolate shoes for 40 Euros.

Granted, not everyone in Milan was there for shoes. I saw these McDonald’s chefs on a photo shoot at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele (a must-visit indoor shopping arcade).

Pretty sure their meals weren't as happy as the ones I ate in Milan!

Speaking of food, on my day off I walked for five hours straight, visiting the famous Corso Como, and rewarded myself with gelato!

Pear and guava gelato! YUM!

Whenever I’m in Milan I make sure to light a candle for my much-missed father at Il Duomo.

Candles in Il Duomo.

Then it was off to Paris, where my morning “commute” is about as stress-free as it gets.

The beautiful Seine was glass-like on my walk to work.

At the show, Cydwoq had so many beautiful styles I had a difficult time choosing. I think you’ll be pleased, though!

A booth of swoon-worthy Cydwoq shoes and boots!

Wondering what looks are popular for next fall and winter? Well, the love affair with oxfords and menswear-influenced styles continues. Plus, booties are still big (the kind you wear on your feet!), worn unlaced and unbuckled in a casual European way. Vintage looks, as well as polka dots and stripes, are also on trend.

The big story, though, is a renewed emphasis on COLOR! Ruby red, mustard yellow, leaf green, royal blue—every saturated hue imaginable! I don’t want to give too much away, but here’s a little taste of what you have to look forward to!

After a long day, I had a delicious Lebanese dinner with Cydwoq’s Rafi and Trippen’s Michael. This was our view as we walked home:

Oooooh, sparkly!

Ped fans, I love my job!

But don’t take our word for it. Have a look for yourself!

One way to brighten any spring day is to buckle up Trippen’s Bora:

We can’t get enough of the magnolia plum color! The Bora is just the thing for tiptoeing through the tulips! (You’ll fit right in!)

Trippen also gives their leathers some extra oomph this season by coloring the edges, as demonstrated by the Army:

How cool are those blue edges? And how urban-edgy is the design? (That second strap from the bottom actually goes all the way around the instep!) This Army makes us want to join right up!

Want a sandal boot that’s even more rock ‘n’ roll? Give it up for the Trippen Agave:

Talk about grrl power! This spectacular boot is simultaneously badass and drop-dead sexy! Nothing’s hotter than a zipper up the back!

One of Trippen’s hallmarks is using the leather structure of their shoes to create visual artistry. Case in point: their new seamed flower toe, seen here on the Poppy:

Ped fans know how I am helpless to resist a green shoe! But if you’re not on team green, then perhaps you’d prefer the Peony in red or the Magnolia in blue-edged mocha—each varies in its heel and sole design, but fun flowers bloom on all their toes!

Speaking of toes with interesting details, check out Trippen’s Tetra:

Crafted in our fave black-ice leather, this flat is such a head turner! The laser-cut lines of dashes on the toe are like negative-space stitching and have the added benefit of giving your toes a breath of fresh air!

One of the juiciest new leather colors is red berry, which looks fresh and luscious on a favorite style from last summer, the Good:

YUM! The sliced leather and seaming are so innovative! The icing on this berry cake? Trippen’s t-shaped rubber wedge sole, which wins raves for comfort!

If you’re looking for a shoe to go with everything, you can still have Trippen’s wedge sweetness—just lace up the Sinus in versatile stone grey:

Wear this snub-nosed beauty to an art opening, and we guarantee the art won’t be the only thing being admired!

Even a simple sandal becomes something to write home about when given the Trippen treatment! Say hello the the stellar Careless:

Perhaps the best traveling shoe ever, this easy flat will keep your feet comfortable through a day of sightseeing and then be ready to dress up for dinner and dancing! The soft steel leather is a wonder to behold—and wear!

These beauties are only a few of the Trippen treats that await you at Ped’s main site! You don’t need a car to experience German ingenuity and engineering—simply slip on a pair of Trippen shoes and traipse out the door!

This season some of the best new shoes have their roots in the righteous ’70s, when women’s fashion took a turn for the bold! The precarious stilettos and tight-waisted “Suzy homemaker” dresses of the 1950s and early ’60s stepped aside for chunky heels worn out and about with minis, midis, and pantsuits! Refreshing then! Refreshing now!

Behold a few of the new designs that celebrate the sexy confidence of 1970s’ style!

One of the sunniest interpretations of the spirit of the ’70s is Argila’s Allie!

We are wild about the combination of the buckled and tasseled front (so vintage!) with the hand-cut and sanded wooden heel! And the color? You just have to smile!

Of course, Chie Mihara is the reigning queen of retro-licious beauty! Check out the  ’70s sensibility  of this season’s Xeroco:

The buckles add just the right punctuation to the broad straps! The sexiness is no-nonsense and take-no-prisoners! Devastating in the best kind of way!

Another great Chie ode to the 1970s is the Rumi (a perennial Ped favorite):

Ped’s Laura swears her fashion-forward mother had a pair of identical shoes back in the 1970s! Beautiful as they may have been, Laura’s mom’s couldn’t hold a candle to the Rumi because the modern version features Chie Mihara’s signature padded footbed, the ultimate in comfort! (Ask anyone)!

Coclico also riffs on the leather patchwork so popular in the ’70s in its Valencia:

What a looker! Absolutely distinctive yet ultra-versatile. Note the subtle curve of the chunky wooden heel—Coclico is always attentive to the details!

Coclico’se retro-sassy Vidal also features this gorgeous heel:

Talk about a statement shoe! The way the back strap and hardware twins the strap and hardware over the instep is ingenious!

Coclico also takes a tip from the 70s in its cork platform designs, like the Melania:

Light and comfortable, this beauty updates the vintage look of a platform wedge by creating it in the most modern of colors: flint grey!

Another stunning cork-soled number is Fiorentini + Baker’s swinging Ding Clog:

So fun, this fringed clog is crafted with the same meticulous attention to detail as F+B’s famous boots! The Ding was love at first sight for Ped’s Laura—she immediately bought it and has been wearing it nonstop! (She loves the terra cotta color of the Indian Red, but we also have the Ding in black, if that’s more your thing.)

Speaking of clogs, Trippen’s Strahl exemplifies what can happen when a designer takes retro inspiration and runs with it:

The Strahl‘s spark lies in the 1970s, but this work of art’s fireworks are thoroughly modern! We adore how the teal edges of the black leather are echoed in the patina of the rivets and the rubber on the outsole.

So, get in the mood by listening to James Brown’s 1972 hit, and then literally “Get on the Good Foot!” Your style will be far out! Dig it!

(Psst, another groovy design, though not ’70s inspired, is Fiorentini + Baker’s Pia boot, which is this week’s Sweet Treat. Make its gorgeousness yours for 20% off by clicking “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page, which will whisk you to the Pia, with the magic discount code to enter at checkout! What a great way to step into spring!)

Proof positive that Cydwoq’s aren’t just for the sidewalk! My Sanders were right at home in Tanzania, but they had to settle for gazing longingly at the highest spot on the continent—Mt. Kilimanjaro.

After a week of living in hiking boots while climbing the mountain, though, I settled back into my Sanders like long-lost friends for our safari to Serengeti National Park.

Posing beside one of the live elephants seemed a bit risky (they become jealous rather easily), so I settled for this boulder-sized pachyderm noggin at the park entrance.

The lions had no comment. Hakuna matata!

We suspect that lion was roaring her approval of Judith’s Sanders in lion-ese! What a fun and exciting adventure for a pair of Ped Shoes! To thank Judith for giving us a vicarious thrill, we’re giving her $100 in Ped credit! (We can’t wait to see where she takes us next.)

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.

(Psst, the Sweet Treat this week is Trippen’s a-maz-ing Fence ankle boot! Get 20% sliced off—see what we did there?—when you click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page, which will take you to the Fence with the magic discount code to enter at checkout.)

Which is what trips us up every year! We always think (wish, hope) the last of winter’s chill is behind us before it really is. The temptation is to bust out our barest sandals, which leads to literally cold feet, especially after the sun goes down. It’s best to ease into the season, giving our sun-craving soles a taste of fresh air without fully exposing them to the elements. Happily, Ped has just the shoes for making the transition from nippy weather to days of ice-tea and lemonade.

Good news: you don’t have to give up your oxfords to let your tootsies taste the breeze. Just lace up Argila’s Natalie:

An oxford with air-conditioning! The sandy color is a cinch to wear with almost everything in your wardrobe, and the pinked edges are so fun!

Another terrific aerated lace-up is Trippen’s perennially popular Golf:

An ideal walking shoe, the Golf’s Euro-edgy looks and comfortable perforated leather will make you the envy of everyone you pass. (“Pardon me, where did you get those great shoes?)

Cydwoq also knows a thing or two about comfortably walking from early spring right through summer and on into fall, as evidenced by the new Malba:

Bare your heels, while keeping your toes enclosed! We’re crazy about the thong detail, which adds just the right touch to the innovative design. (Not a fan of turmeric? The Malba also comes in fresh sage.)

Another great way to cool your heels is with Cydwoq’s wonderful Orient:

The leather is KNIT! How cool is that? This easy slide immediately became a Ped favorite last year. This year we also have it in black, for those of you who favor all things noir.

“Those are all great weekend shoes,” you may be saying, “but what about something transitional for work?” The answer: Cydwoq’s Poa:

We don’t know how Cydwoq keeps coming up with artistic variations on the classic mary jane, but we’re just glad they do! Dressy, yes, but not too, the Poa stands apart with its luscious lavender leather!

Looking for a transitional heel to boost your height? Cydwoq’s Prairie is just the thing:

The perfect compromise between a sandal and a shoe, this slingback peep-toe is incredibly versatile in addition to being a sophisticated stunner!

If you like the Prairie, but you’re still wishing for something taller and juicier, say good day to Fiorentini + Baker’s Floss:

Good day, indeed! WOW! And just wait until you slide your foot inside the super supple leather of this green dream! De-lish!

Over at Ped’s main site, there are even more ways to walk from winter into warm weather. So, ease your feet back into the outside world! They’ll say, “Aaaah!” while all your fans say, “Ooooh!”