Dame Westwood in Melissa Shoes

During São Paulo Fashion Week, Vivienne Westwood launched Anglomania—an exclusive line of shoes designed by her in partnership with Melissa. For the occasion, Dame Westwood presented two models: a plastic version of the classic Mary Jane model inspired by the leather sandals worn in her winter '00 collection "Summertime"; plus, two versions of Melissa Ultragirl slippers, one with a velvety, flaked covering and insole covered with the traditional tartan-print fabric, and the other featuring a shiny texture and a floral insole. In both, a metal orb—the symbol of the Anglomania brand—is applied to one of the laterals of the shoe, conferring a "touch of royalty" on the model. "The most amazing thing about this partnership was to be able to create modern products with very high quality for affordable prices," says Vivienne Westwood.

This year, Melissa will launch three more models in partnership with Westwood, and the Anglomania line is intended to be sold at over 1,000 sales points and trendy boutiques in Brazil, England, France, Italy, USA, Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, and Russia. Although the Anglomania line boasts a broad distribution strategy, Westwood claimed people should "buy less and choose well" and said during the press conference in São Paulo that she wanted to "produce less and well." But controversial statements and clothes have always looked good on Dame Westwood, non? While in Brazil, Westwood also reserved some time to read her Active Resistance to Propaganda manifesto, and to spend a few days enjoying eco-tourism in the Amazon.

—Flavia Mendonça