In Marin / CURRENTS
MADE BY MARIN
Freda Salvador
MEGAN PAPAY AND Cristina Palomo Nelson met while working for a Bay Area footwear company, where they collaborated on three collections. Together, the two created concepts they were confident of, but that weren’t suited for that particular designer. Thus, Freda Salvador was born. The duo, who credit a shared aesthetic, unique (and di;ering)
personal styles and natural design synergy for their successful partnership, launched
their first collection in fall of 2012 and design all their products in Sausalito. The name
comes from their mutual admiration of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo with a nod to their
El Salvador ties. PHILOSOPHY Megan and Cristina create designer-quality shoes at a
contemporary price point, but they also aim to craft shoes women can live their lives
in. “We know how to make shoes fit so they are infinitely walkable,” says Papay. “They
are made with the urban woman in mind — fashion is of utmost importance, but she will
not sacrifice function for style.” THE SCOOP Freda’s shoes and boots start at $350, with
leathers manufactured and produced in Italy and Spain (each shoe is handmade in a
small family factory in Elda, Spain). The o;erings are simple, understated and wearable,
but feature interesting and edgy details like printed snake and lizard haircalf. BEYOND
MARIN While the shoes are designed in Sausalito, the company’s flagship store is located
in San Francisco’s stylish Cow Hollow neighborhood. You can also find the shoes at
Saks Fifth Avenue New York and Atlanta, as well as in various boutiques, and online at
shopbop.com. WHAT THEY SAY “ We get inspiration throughout the year as we travel to
Italy, Spain and New York for business. We love seeing what women are wearing, especially
in urban environments,” says Papay. “So in that way, we’re constantly observing ‘street
style,’ literally — which shoe each woman chooses to pound the pavement.” CALIN VAN PARIS
CONQUER IN
BLACK, $550
PEACE IN LODEN
CALF + BLACK
HAIRCALF, $750
CHANGE IN
GOLD + BLACK, $375
DREAM IN
BLACK + DO T TED, $550
WONDER IN BLACK +
ANTHRACI TE, $395
