“Shoe Love is True Love” is a mantra for women’s footwear designer Isa Tapia. A CFDA member since 2016, the San Juan, Puerto Rico native and Parsons alum has a charming aesthetic sensibility that lends itself perfectly to the current season. Tapia is now the second brand to take over, as part of a CFDA partnership, the pop-up space for emerging brands at Showfields at 11 Bond Street, and it’s filled with her delightful designs. We say: Run, don’t walk!

Describe your design philosophy for the Isa Tapia brand?

Always trying to keep the balance between feminine and sexy…always with wearable heel heights and as many flats as possible – no stilettos here. I’m busy and the women I know are all busy – having lives, running around, living. We want practical, but Fashionnn shoes.

How has the brand evolved since you launched it?

The brand has evolved tremendously. We were doing the wholesale model when we launched in 2013 and making four multi-category collections a year, from sneakers to boots to bridal. We did what we the business told us to do.  A few years ago, I decided to stop following trends and deliveries and instead following my gut. I moved my back office and logistics and switched to half-way of a tech company. We launched our e-commerce warehousing and changed the model from D to C. We were able to get our prices to a much better place without changing the quality while focusing on what we did best. Now it’s a completely different business model.

What was your first reaction when you found out about the Showfields opportunity?

So excited we could put something together in the initial stages of the brand growth because I think both Showfields and Isa Tapia are doing things differently and just launching these new ways of traditional fashion, retail, and technology.

What appealed to you about Showfields? 

I walked by it on my way home all the time from the office and on the first day they were open, I walked in because I was curious about the concept. A lot of people are trying to merge experiences with technology and fashion, but this is the first time I see work so well and look so good. It’s such a coincidence – or maybe even destiny – that this opportunity came along to work together. I was of course thrilled.

Describe the space and what you wanted to accomplish with it?

The space is the perfect space for a brand experience because it’s both intimate and also surrounded by other interesting experiences close-by. You can literally go down to the lobby from the slide on our floor and then buy a smart tooth brush and get an iced latte on your way out. It’s what I want as a brand and as a customer to be surrounded by . It’s entertainment, and it makes it fun to shop!

What are your favorite pieces on sale in the shop?

It’s hard to pick a favorite but the Te Amo heart flat in black kid suede is my current one on rotation. It’s an elevated version of a summer thong sandal. Instead of wearing a flip flop, it looks dressier and goes with everything from shorts to jeans to evening dresses.

What’s next for the brand?

We are launching the Bikini bags for resort. As a treat, we will have them for pre-order at the shop!