This year in footwear, I spy a maximalist style, as Los Gatos’ very own Flor de Maria continues to stun on red carpets and award show afterparties. And now she’s preparing for a popup event on Main Street, in partnership with upstart retailer Mélodie Luxe.
This high-fashion designer, Flor de Maria Rivera, has been leading the way through the high-profile fashion landscape alongside industry titans. That included a turn at the 2026 Met Gala, as Miranda Kerr was spotted wearing the Flor’s Taylor Swift-inspired, crystal-embellished heels—then kicking back in them at the after party too.
For Rivera, the way heels make a woman feel is what gives shoes their soul.
“For me, the most exciting part of designing is creating shoes that are not only beautiful, but that make a woman feel glamorous, confident and unforgettable,” Rivera said in an email interview.
Since launching in 2019, Flor de Maria shoes have appeared on musicians, models and actresses—becoming a staple in the closets of figures like Mindy Kaling, who wore a pair of snakeskin heels on Jimmy Kimmel Live recently.
These luxury heels have adorned the feet of Eva Longoria, Alex Consani, Winnie Harlow, Zara Larsson and Kesha, just to name a few more.
Her statement pieces emphasize a stylist’s vision while allowing celebrities to shine during hours of photographs and interviews.
Sure, few dare to wear four-inch heels on a day-to-day basis, outside the worlds of Carrie Bradshaw or Betty Boop.
But when Australian model Miranda Kerr walked the red carpet in Flor de Maria’s superstar-singer-inspired selection, Rivera’s designing dreams came full circle.
Crystal-embellished mules with faux mirrored leather inspired by Taylor Swift? That’s a Met Gala shoe, no doubt.
Designed with Swift in mind as muse, Rivera crafted an emblem of the musician’s femininity and confidence. “It wasn’t just about creating a beautiful sandal,” she said. “It was about capturing the energy, confidence and essence that makes Taylor Swift who she is.”
As she first sketched the footwear item, she envisioned them having a moment on some of the biggest red carpets in the world.
“I always believed they were meant for a moment like this,” Rivera said of Kerr’s Met Gala foray this year.
But it wasn’t just a series of freeze-frames. Kerr reportedly kept the shoes on for the after-party.
“Knowing that she felt confident and loved wearing them beyond the red carpet made the moment even more meaningful,” Rivera said. “For me, that represents exactly what I want Flor de Maria to be: shoes that make a statement, but are also comfortable enough for women to truly enjoy wearing.”
The emphasis on comfort is a common topic of conversation, as elegant footwear like high-heels often carry a hard-to-wear reputation. Stylists who work with industry professionals rather than celebrities must seek durability and have to make walkability a priority.
Although Bay Area fashion lifestylist and personal brander Victoria Hitchcock hasn’t partnered with Flor de Maria herself, she knows a little something about wardrobes that can hold up to long hours, given her own work with high-performing executives.
“Footwear is often the detail that decides whether an outfit reads as put-together or just ‘dressed.’ It sets the tone and grounds everything else,” said Hitchcock.
Hitchcock sees Flor de Maria shoes as “bold, editorial and built to make a singular statement rather than integrate into a daily rotation.”
This perspective highlights a common thread in fashion conversations: How do stylists and designers balance vision and comfort?
Rivera’s has a unique take on this. As her momentum in the industry continues to pick up steam and new shoes drop on her website, Rivera says she’s excited to see her shoes reaching new audiences around the globe.
“My vision has always been to build a luxury footwear brand where craftsmanship and comfort are at the forefront, while also creating the shoes women have always dreamed of—shoes that make them feel confident, powerful and unstoppable.”
And now, after numerous turns in the spotlight, Flor de Maria is readying her sartorial magic for her hometown.
Flor de Maria will hold a popup at Mélodie Luxe along Main Street in Los Gatos on Sept. 2.
“Since I spend a lot of time in LA and travel quite a bit, I’m really excited to be bringing Flor de Maria to Los Gatos and connecting with the local community,” she said. “It will be an opportunity for people to come by, shop the collection and experience the brand in person.”
The Flor de Maria popup will happen Sept. 2 at Mélodie Luxe, at 45 W. Main St., in Los Gatos, from 2-7pm.
