Your SSENSE story hit close to home (and Canada is not that far) — I run Clara Barcelo, a small-batch women’s shoe brand I brought over from Buenos Aires, and I live inside those same shipping/tariff headaches you described. Sometimes it feels like part of the design process is just figuring out whether air freight math is funny or tragic.
Clara Barcelo sits in the same space you mentioned with Martiniano, A.Emery, and Le Monde Beryl — artisanal, global, a little cult — but our lens is different. Where those brands lean into restraint and minimalism, CB’s DNA is Latin: sculptural shapes, richer textures, and color stories that nod to Buenos Aires and beyond (burgundy, camel, metallics alongside deep blacks). Inside the shoe, a tear-drop foot pad softens the architecture, which is probably why our earliest adopters have been salon and medspa owners who stand for ten hours a day.
I thought of your piece because we’re orbiting the same footwear conversation, and I just wanted to put CB on your radar.
Thanks for this brilliant round up!
Many cheers for the Trussardi jeans.. I am wearing a thin cotton flare pair today (khaki w a yellow pin stripe)
I love love love them 🧩🧩
Hi Laura,
Your SSENSE story hit close to home (and Canada is not that far) — I run Clara Barcelo, a small-batch women’s shoe brand I brought over from Buenos Aires, and I live inside those same shipping/tariff headaches you described. Sometimes it feels like part of the design process is just figuring out whether air freight math is funny or tragic.
Clara Barcelo sits in the same space you mentioned with Martiniano, A.Emery, and Le Monde Beryl — artisanal, global, a little cult — but our lens is different. Where those brands lean into restraint and minimalism, CB’s DNA is Latin: sculptural shapes, richer textures, and color stories that nod to Buenos Aires and beyond (burgundy, camel, metallics alongside deep blacks). Inside the shoe, a tear-drop foot pad softens the architecture, which is probably why our earliest adopters have been salon and medspa owners who stand for ten hours a day.
I thought of your piece because we’re orbiting the same footwear conversation, and I just wanted to put CB on your radar.
All the best,
Bill Brewster
Clara Barcelo | USA
www.clarabarcelo.us
@clarabarcelousa
Thank you for sharing your hard work. Bravo!
Hi! How do A.Emery shoes run, generally TTS? I'm ready for Spring and wondering if new sandals will make it happen.
i would say they run a bit large if anything! please will it into existence for all of us x
Thank you! I'll take this hit for the team!