In My Shoes: The Start In My New Journey

Did you know that the saying “Shoes can make or break an outfit” is very true? When one thinks about it you can’t go anywhere without a pair of footwear on. Unless you prefer to go barefoot, which sometimes is nice especially when one is at the beach but otherwise, it isn’t the most ideal way of getting around. Shoes take us to places. Literally and figuratively. For me shoes, are not just fashion accessories, more than being an integral part of any outfit, shoes are items that you need in your everyday life to take you from one place to another. Without them, you can’t leave your house.

Hi! If you’re new to this page, welcome! My name is Denise and I am a marketer. I come from the Philippines, a country with lots of sun, sea, and sand. As I entered my 30’s I felt this urge to seek discomfort, adventure, and life abroad. So, I’ve just recently moved to Toronto, Canada to restart my life and career and I brought along my favorite pairs of shoes with me to take me around this new city and on this new chapter of my life.

Before I talk about fashion and specifically shoes, let me share with you first how my love for shoes started and grew deeper. My mother always said, since I was young, I've always loved dressing up and made sure I had the perfect pair of shoes to go with any outfit I put on. This personality of mine definitely stayed as I grew older. After finishing my Master’s Degree in Marketing, I started my career as a product planner for Honda Cars Philippines. It was my first job and my first time dipping my toes into the corporate world. After my first year in the world of cars and motors, I realized I’m not really that kind of girl. I was challenged but I did not feel fulfilled because I was not staying true to myself and was not fuelling my passions. After a year and a half, I decided to go with my heart and pursued fashion. But before getting a job in fashion, I wanted to equip myself with formal training and education. I decided to take courses on Fashion Merchandising and Buying, as well as Fashion PR at London College of Fashion, London, United Kingdom.

After months of taking short courses, I applied for my dream job as a Marketing Officer for the Philippines' top specialty retailer, Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI). SSI houses and distributes the world’s finest and most well-known brands. When I was hired, the recruiter told me that I would be assigned to a footwear group. This fuelled my excitement for working in fashion even more since I loved shoes since I was young. My journey as a fashion marketer was exciting but full of challenges. I handled international footwear brands such as Dune London, Kurt Geiger, Clarks, Pazzion, and Superga. I was lucky to have been allowed to work with such a diverse group of brands with different specialties, unique products, and various target markets. Handling footwear brands not only increased my love for shoes even more but also increased my shoe collection! As I was learning about the product I was marketing, I was also learning what makes shoes so special; from the way they are crafted, the materials chosen, to the people who made them, and the companies that sold them. There was always a different and unique story. Learning these stories made me appreciate footwear even more than just a fashion accessory.

As I set foot on my newest journey in life, I brought along my favorite pairs with me! Allow me to share with you just a few for now and why I think these pairs are great for exploring the new city I’m in.

The Shoes I Wore During My First Few Weeks Exploring Toronto

1. Heeled and Flat Espadrilles

Arriving in Toronto at the start of the summer meant I’d be able to wear my trusted espadrilles which I thought I would only be able to wear in my tropical country or any tropical destination. These heeled espadrilles are casual yet dressy enough to wear with a dress or a pair of shorts. I’ve worn these for a walk by the harbor, to the beach, and brunch with friends in different Toronto neighborhoods. Heels even wedges can be tiring to wear sometimes, especially when you’re walking for long hours and exploring different neighborhoods. Which is why I’m glad I took these flat espadrilles with me. These espadrilles have been with me for a long time. I remember purchasing these from a local shop in Pamplona, Spain. I’m glad these are still with me as they’ve walked many different roads in my travels and now in my newest journey here in Toronto.

2. Clarks Block Heels

When I know I’ll be going on long walks yet still want to wear a casual outfit that can be worn from day to night, these Clarks heels are my go-to. Clarks has been known for their iconic styles as well as the technologies they use in their footwear to ensure comfort and durability. These heels are so comfortable that I don’t mind wearing them while running around the city for twelve hours straight!

3. Gucci Marmont Block Heels Leather Sandals

A fancy pair for a fancy night out in a fancy neighborhood. Too much? I don’t think so. These designer heels are perfect for a night out of partying without hurting your feet given the support of the block heels. They’re designer but simple enough and the best pair of classic basic black heels, in my opinion.

4. Kurt Geiger Ballet Flats

Ballet flats are a must-have. After running around the city in heels, there are days when I want to give my feet a rest and these soft leather ballets flats are the perfect pair to wear. They can be taken from day to night given the comfort and the simple yet classy design it has.

5. Nine West Pumps

It can’t always be fun, there are also days when I need to work. These Nine West pumps perfectly balance work and play. They mean business and I’ve worn these pumps to the most important meetings in my career. With that being said, it was a no-brainer for me to take these with me, especially when I started going to in-person job interviews.

You might be wondering where are the sneakers? Well, stay tuned as I share more of my journey and the pairs that have helped me get to different places.