SZA wearing CRUDA, one of my favorite Latin brands

Allow me to introduce you to the shoe brand from Costa Rica based in Mexico City.

I met CRUDA, the Costa Rican brand of upcycled shoes based in Mexico City several years ago.

Probably some time after she started with her first collections in 2016.

I specifically remember that a colleague from Vogue Mexico had a pair of her shoes and I wanted to have similar ones.

So, when I learned that the brand (which was then based in Costa Rica) was coming to Mexico City for a Caravana Americana event, I went directly to buy them and I was not disappointed.

There I spoke for the first time with Pamela Hernández, the Costa Rican artist and designer behind the brand.

Although the pair I wanted was not in my size - because they are all unique pieces - I ended up buying some more beautiful and unexpected ones: open-backed, with hand-painted wooden soles of clouds, and black upcycled leather.

CECILIA Black, Upcycled Denim, Recycled Plastic Heel. Photo IG @cruda_cruda

At the time, I had saved up the money for it, around $150 USD approx. back then. For me, it was the most beautiful pair of s…