I met the native Frenchman recently at his boutique on Manhattan’s Upper East Side where he was revealing his fall collection. I was lucky enough to get a tour of the shop and a personal shoe fitting.
Initially, I was impressed with the variety of flats. Mayer offered a classic soft-quilted beige nappa pair in black patent that goes with virtually everything in your closet; a multi-brown python-embossed leather style with a slightly asymmetric toe that will punch up your favorite khaki skirt; and a black-lace mesh ballet flat to dress up your casual-Friday jeans.
But Mayer knows what women really want: cute, comfortable shoes. That’s why his styles sport a fully padded insole for extra comfort and flexible rubber bottoms or supple leather soles. But not all women’s shoe issues are created equal. I told Mayer that I have difficulty finding flats that fit because I have a narrow heel. He had a simple answer. All of Mayer’s flats have a decorative bow that doubles as a cord to tighten or loosen the fit. I could’ve hugged him.
I left the boutique in a pair of Mayer’s bright blue and black-tipped Bravo flats. The nappa leather style with patent details is his best-selling shoe this spring. It comes in three other color combinations and is perfect for a woman who’s not afraid of bold hues.
Mayer’s shoes are sold at five New Jersey locations: Best Foot Forward, Cherry Hill (856-424-5722); Shoe Inn, Englewood (201-568-2900), Livingston (609-448-7895) and Ridgewood; and the Shoe Buckle, Hightstown (609-448-7895).