Mardi Gras shoes are the new beads
Beads around your neck: predictable. Beads on your feet: fierce.
California-based artist Freda Maletsky crafted 225 bedazzled shoes ahead of Mardi Gras. They'll be tossed from floats to partygoers, as New Orleans celebrates the holiday this week.
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Every other year for about a decade Maletsky has hand-crafted heels to be given out during Mardi Gras' Muses Parade.
Between holidays, she creates sets, props, and decor for high-end children's parties.
Each heel is sourced from a local thrift shop and takes an average of three hours to complete. With the help of family and friends, Maletsky sets to work on the major DIY project.
"[We] work drilling and poking holes in the backs of every shoe in order to attach a lanyard to them so they can be safely lowered over the float," Maletsky told Mashable.
Next the team covers every shoe in a cocktail of Mod Podge and Elmer's glue to add the glitter, relying on a hot glue gun to attach the heavier embellishments.
"I go to town sparkling them up further with flat-backed jewels, feathers, anything I can get my hands on," said Maletsky. "I like to give them themes. Honestly, I just sort of get in a zone and go to town."
Maletsky only produces shoes for her client's float so if you want to get your hands on one of these custom treasures you'll have to try to catch one at the parade.
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Noelle Sciacca is a Fashion Reporter at Mashable. Noelle writes on the intersection of fashion and the media. A graduate of Liberty University with a degree in Business Marketing, Noelle previously worked for SELF Magazine and Lucky Magazine. At Mashable, her aim is to make the most innovative, entertaining, and empowering fashion content on the web.
