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Shoe shopping gets a bit of flack for being, well, not necessarily the most highbrow way to spend your time. It may not as virtuous a pastime as reading or volunteering, but shoes are important (as is stimulating the economy). Head to a new shop in Soho, and you might as well be visiting a contemporary art gallery—how cultured of you.
Brazilian footwear brand Melissa Shoes' new Galeria Melissa space at Broadway between Spring and Broome Streets functions not only as a shop, but also as an art gallery. The spot is curated by creative sister-duo Rémy and Kelsey Bennett. The Bennett sisters—no relation to Elizabeth and Jane—brought their project The Future of Her into the space.
As you peruse styles, you'll experience the installation works of artists Signe Pirece and Sam Cannon. The concept is inspired by similar Melissa Shoe-stores-cum-galleries in Saõ Paulo and London, and it is architecturally designed by Brazilian artist Muti Randolph. The whole thing is visually stunning, but it's also a functional store for Melissa's eco-friendly PVC-based shoe designs. Try not to get too spend-happy while buying shoes around all that art—you might just end up with a much bigger bill than you bargained for.