Letty prides the aesthetic of its shoes on a sophisticated, international flair. "Our customer travels, knows fashion, trends and quality, and wants the best for their child," she explains. The current trends in adult footwear - including the use of metallics, quilting and floral appliques - have trickled down into pazitos Fall 06 collection. "We launched Fall with ballet flats and it's a tremendous hit," de Paz offers. "The styles and colors are on target with what stores are looking for."

Pebbled and patent leather, velvet trim and gold, silver and copper metallics are all prominent features on the season's ballerina flats, a new styles for Pazitos. "The selection of materials was key", de Paz explains. tall boots are also a new silhouette, and de Paz says that's a result of their immense popularity in adult fashion. "What is good for them, is good for their children," she says. Boys footwear runs the gamut from plain but sophisticated loafers to funkier bowling-styles shoes in colors like red, brown, olive and navy. Ankle boots are also popular. The girls T-strap, Mary Janes have had a steady following as well: Bronze and Pink, Silver and Gold and Pink and Red have all been popular color combinations

"We are continuously improving and evolving," de Paz says. "In so many instances, you can see our shoes complementing beautiful domestic and European apparel collections," she describes. For that reason, she contiues, "Many specialty stores find it very easy to sell our shoes."

Stores that are selling Pazitos well include cutting edge boutiques like Kitson in LA, Miami's Genious Jones, Takashimaya in NYC and Born Yesterday in Philadelphia, according to Paz. "We are constantly on the road and meeting with our customers; we are on a one-to-one base with them about what's selling and what
they need." she says. "We take their input to heart."

Footwear news - June, 2006