A 40-year partnership merging Brazilian recyclable shoe technology with French avant-garde and punk design.
ORIGIN
Brazil, France
PRICE TIER
premium
The collaboration between Brazilian footwear brand Melissa and French couturier Jean Paul Gaultier is one of fashion’s most enduring partnerships, first launched in 1983. The collection merges Melissa’s innovative, 100% recyclable Melflex™ plastic with Gaultier’s rebellious and avant-garde design codes. Known for his punk and romantic-gothic influences, Gaultier brings a high-fashion edge to Melissa's signature jelly shoes, creating daring and sculptural footwear.\n\nOver four decades, the collaboration has produced several iconic styles, from early open-design sneakers to stiletto sandals. The 40th-anniversary collection, released in 2023, featured the 'Punk Love Pump' and 'Becky Punk Love' platform, which unite a chunky, commanding silhouette with delicate straps and metallic spike details. These pieces exemplify the partnership's core identity: transforming a utilitarian material into a medium for provocative, wearable art. The shoes are manufactured in Brazil at parent company Grendene's zero-waste factories, which are powered by renewable energy, reflecting a commitment to sustainable production.