It’s only a week into fall, and already the cold rain is flooding our subways and frizzing our hair – while you peeps in sunnier, warmer locales still get to kick it in flip-flop weather.  Bitter?  Not me, nooo, I’m not even thinking of my next beach vacation, where I can wear flip-flops 24/7…if only there were cute, affordable options other than neon-colored Havaianas or sea-horse adorned thongs.

Thank the tanned beach gods for Fiel Shoes. Fiel – a Spanish term meaning “faithful, loyal, and trusted” – was born in 2008 when founder Alice Gu discovered herself shoe-less at a handful of tropical destination weddings. “At the time, there were no leather flip flop options other than designer,” she says. “I ended up wearing my very beat up Havaianas to all the weddings, with dresses by Mayle and Phillip Lim!”

Fiel’s styles range from classic thongs to metallic gladiators decorated with a environmentally friendly lab-grown sapphire, and have comfy memory-foam soles.  All are handmade with vegetable-tanned leather.  “Being chrome-free, it doesn’t pollute the tanning process and will break down naturally,” says Gu.  “I always love working with leather.  I do believe that leather is a green and sustainable product – it is a by-product of the meat industry.”

Venice Beach-based Gu is also committed to supporting area artisans, both north and south of the border.  Fiel’s spring/summer ’11 line was inspired by and produced in Mexico “using local textiles and specializing in the amazing woven leather workings of Mexico.  (It’s) artisanal classicism, with a twist.”

Lest you think Fiel is only for the ladies who keep their pedicures maintained year ‘round, this fall Gu introduces booties, spectators (our fave is the two-toned Coquet), and heels that resemble woven Mexican blankets, starting at $150.00.  All of them feature Fiel’s signature memory-foam insoles, so even as we’re mourning the end of summer in NYC, we can be stylish AND comfortable kicking around in the fall leaves.

For more info or to purchase, visit www.fielshoes.com or endless.com.

Words by Carrie Tucker