Best Of CLE: Mule

After moving from Nigeria to attend Notre Dame College in 2001, Odi Emembolu started Kiri Chic in 2017 with the goal of bringing the vibrant color and culture of Africa to Cleveland. He did just that with his wide range of sandals and shoes such as the Adaeze Mule ($65), which is just as casual as it is chic.

The easy slip-on shoe comes in seven versatile options such as Floral Gold, a bright yellow pattern with green leaves that is perfect for a summer day, or the Lily Red design that has a deep burgundy hue that can match any autumnal outfit. Handcrafted with vegan leather and a cushioned insole, with bold patterns inspired by West African clothing, the toe-covered design of the mule was also specifically created with Ohio weather in mind.

“We loved the color and playful nature of it, but how do we extend the experience so that folks can actually wear their shoes a lot more than maybe say June and July?” says Emembolu. “But we’re not trying to have it be a very serious pair of shoes, I think it’s still very versatile.” Thus, the half-slip-on design was born that keeps the front of your foot warm, while still styling a bright pattern with a cultural flair. “It kind of even opens up another conversation like, Where are these from? What are the stories behind the shoes?” says Emembolu. kirichic.com

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