Now there is a Havaianas Store in Barcelona: let´s flip flop...

A few years ago I used to travel to Brazil for work and I discovered Havaianas, a leading brand in rubber flip flops made in Brazil known for their quality and colorful designs. In 2008 they landed in Europe and after being sold in multibrand stores, the first European Havaianas Store opened in Barcelona in March.

Centro Comecial Triangle at the Plaza Catalunya
Entrace Calle Pelayo
Metro Catalunya (Green Line)

ART: Metropolitan soul

Art is a Spanish brand launched in 1995. Its shoes reflect a young and carefree spirit, innovation and humour. They are perfect for a relaxed look for youngsters and young at heart.

http://www.the-art-company.com/ 
On sale at Tascón, a multi brand shoe shop with several points of sale in Barcelona, one of them at the Terminal 1 of the Airport
http://www.tascon.es/

Pretty Ballerinas: over 150 models to choose from

Pretty Ballerinas started as an online shop selling exclusively these pretty flat shoes which have become popular among celebrities and fashionistas worldwide. They are made in the island of Menorca by a company in business since 1918 and they reflect their expertise and craftsmanship, combined with moderrn design. Pretty Ballerinas produces over 150 models per season, colorful and fun, and there is always a model to match any look. The company has two other brands, Jaime Mascaró and Ursula Mascaró.

http://www.prettyballerinas.com/

Mascaró shop: Bori i Fontestà, 9 (not far from the Diagonal and L´Illa shopping center, no metro in the proximity).
They have recently opened a corner at el Corte Inglés Diagonal (department store). Metro Maria Cristina (Green Line).

Mayol: good quality classical shoes

Mayol sells classical shoes for men of the best brands made in Spain (Yanko,     ). The line for ladies is rather classical too and, in the sumertime, includes some braided leather models which are very comfortable.

Rambla Catalunya, 29 
Metro: Passeig de Gràcia (Green Line)

Avarcas: the traditional shoe from Menorca which has become a summer favorite

The Avarcas sold in our days are an improved version of the traditional footwear used by peasants and fishermen of the island of Menorca. Made of thick leather with rubber soles they are sturdy as well as comfortable and fresh, and have become a summer favorite. You will find them in all sizes –men, ladies and children- and in different colors, sometimes decorated with small designs inspired in nature.

Expect to pay between 30 and 40 Euros for a pair of good quality avarcas. I prefer the Avarcas Pons, shown in the picture, produced by a family owned company from Ciutadella (Menorca) which are sold in many shoe shops. I also like the models sold in a small shop specializing in avarcas across the Cathedral at c/ Capellans, 2.

Before buying other brands check whether the instep and the inner sole are made of real leather, it should be thick without any lining, and be sure the soles are stitched and made of rubber (in the old times they were made of recycled tires and should look like a tire).

http://www.avarcapons.com/

Jofre: luxury multibrand boutiques

Jofre is a family owned company with several multibrand boutiques. They sell some of the best known international fashion brands: Prada, Miu Miu, Christian Dior, Chloe, Fendi, Gucci, Vera Wang, Aspesi and many more. Next to the Turó Park, an elegant residential area, at Bori i Fontestà with F. Pérez Cabrero, there is a cluster of shops: men, top brands for ladies, casual fashion for ladies, shoes & bags and children  

The web is very poor but you will find the list of shops in Barcelona and other locations http://www.jofre.es/

Several shops by the Turo Park, near the Diagonal with Francesc Macià
Bori i Fontestà 2, 4 and 6
F. Pérez Cabrero 7, 9 and 13
No metro nearby

The newest shop is at
Passeig de Gràcia 104
Metro: Passeig de Gràcia (Green line)

Espadrilles: an informal footwear for summertime with a long tradition

“La Manual Alpargatera” is a shop specializing in espadrilles (alpargatas in Spanish or espardenyes in Catalan) since the 1940s. There you will find the authentic traditional espadrilles as well as new designs at reasonable prices.
The traditional Catalan “espardenyes” are flat and have long ribbons that are to be tied around the ankles. In the past, they were used in the countryside and they are still worn by the Catalan police, the so-called “Mossos d´Esquadra”, as part of their gala uniform. You may see them on special occasions at the “Palau de La Generalitat”, the siege of the Catalan Government situated at the “Plaça Sant Jaume”, in the old city district.

The espadrille is a light shoe made with natural materials, vegetable fibers for the sole and cotton and linen for the instep. Some models are still hand sewn. They fit very nicely and, in summer, they feel extremely fresh and comfortable. A summer favorite is the basic espadrille, without ribbons, worn as flip-flops. They are cheap and come in many colors. Espadrilles for kids are cute and comfortable.

www.lamanualalpargatera.com
Calle Avinyó, 7
It is almost at the corner with C/ Ferràn, near the Plaça Sant Jaume, not far from the Ramblas. Nearby metro stations: Liceu (green line at the Ramblas) and Jaume I (yellow line).
The original title of a master work by Pablo Picasso known as Les demoiselles d’Avignon was Les Demoiselles d´Avinyó after this street of Barcelona.

Camper: shoes for an informal lifestyle

Camper shoes are produced by a Spanish company based in the island of Mallorca, whose origins go back to the end of the XIX century. The Camper brand was launched in the 70s and in 1981 they opened their first brand shop in Barcelona. The shoes are very unique, informal and comfortable, and the collection is organized under “concepts”. Some of them have been around for years and there is also a line for kids. Camper was the first to produce shoes inspired in sports shoes. Nowadays there are 200 Camper shops worldwide and points of sale in 70 countries.

Camper has worked with some of the best designers and publicists from Barcelona as well as well-known international designers. If you are interested in design check their website, it is very good and it shows images of their top shops. You may also be interested in their boutique hotel, Casa Camper, situated near the Ramblas.
 

http://www.camper.com/
Camper has several shops in Barcelona:
Muntaner, 248 (near the Diagonal)
Pau Casals, 5
Valencia 249, Metro: Passeig de Gràcia (Green line)
Passeig de Gràcia 100, Metro: Diagonal (Green line)

Rambla Catalunya, 122,Metro: Diagonal (Green line)
Plaça dels Angels, 4, Metro: Catalunya (Green line)
Pelai 13, shopping center El Triangle, Metro: Catalunya (Green line)
Shopping Center L´Illa at the Diagonal Avenue, Metro: Maria Cristina (Green Line)

Casa Camper Boutique Hotel
Elisabets, 11, it is close to the MACBA, the museum of contemporary arts of Barcelona, and not far from the Ramblas. http://www.casacamper.com/default-en.html

Flamenco shoes for girls

Red shoes with white dots and heels, which are typical of flamenco dancing, are available in small sizes and girls love them. Flamenco music and dance are typical from Andalucia, in Southern Spain, and although you can buy the shoes in Barcelona, they are not part of our everyday culture. That is why my 2,5 year old niece thinks of Minnie Mouse when she wears her shoes. When years ago I bought a pair for one of my Italian nieces, my sister told me that she could have sold a container full of shoes at her school.

The most ancient flamenco shop in Barcelona is owned by the daughter of a great former flamenco dancer whose name is Flora Albaicín. She still has a well known dance academy in Barcelona.

http://www.tiendaflamenco.com/
Canuda, 3 (not far from the Ramblas)
Metro: Catalunya (Green Line)

Bow Tie: British style for men

A new boutique in Barcelona of this high-end British brand. Selection of shoes, ties and other accessories for men in a decor recreating a British club. They sell slippers, the shoes that British nobility used to wear at home which have become fashionable in the streets.

C/ Rosselló 230 between the Passeig de Gràcia and Rambla Catalunya.

Nearest Metro: Diagonal, Green line.

Munich: cool footwear from Barcelona

In spite of its German name, Munich is a company based in Barcelona. It used to be known for its football shoes, but since they launched their fashion collection a few years ago, the brand has become an icon. Even Italians love them.

Munich footwear mix colors, materials and textures to produce unique fashion pieces which keep traits of the original sports models. Check for the large “X” on the shoe sides, which is the brand symbol.

Design has a price, and you will have to pay around 150€ for a pair of Munich shoes. I like the Acropol model in washed denim from the 2010 Fashion summer collection.

Check the whole colection at: http://www.munichsports.com/
Munich brand shops in Barcelona at:
L´Illa, the shopping center at Avenida Diagonal with Calle Numancia.

Metro: Maria Cristina (Green Line).
Casa Munich. C/ Antic de Sant Joan, 4, at El Born neighbourhood.

Metro: Jaume I or Barceloneta (Yellow line).