Selena Gomez has been an inspiration to me since her Disney days. I loved watching The Wizards of Waverly Place, and when she kickstarted her music career with The Scene, their songs were my anthem. Little 11-year-old me loved jamming to "A Year Without Rain," which, in hindsight, was a bit dramatic since my biggest heartbreak then was failing exams (LOL). As I grew up, her philanthropy made her an even bigger role model, inspiring me to move more intentionally.
Beyond that, many love her for her fashion sense, with eagle-eyed fans always spotting what she wears—including her VIVAIA pairs. Naturally (another Selena song, lol), I had to try the brand, too. Luckily, VIVAIA opened its first Manila pop-up in January 2025, where I snagged my first pair of Margot Mary-Jane flats in nude beige and black.
READ MORE: Vivaia Shoes Are Now In The Philippines
What are VIVAIA shoes?
VIVAIA is a brand founded in the U.S.A. in 2020. They are focused on sustainability and providing high-quality and durable pieces using environmentally friendly materials like plastic bottles. In fact, my pair of Margot Mary Jane flats made use of six recycled water bottles! They currently are expanding their global market, only recently adding the Philippines to the list of countries where they're available. Other countries include Australia, Japan, and Singapore.
Thoughts on the VIVAIA Margot Mary-Jane flats
Even those who do not closely follow Selena know that she suffers from the autoimmune disease Lupus, though she is now in remmission. Of course, as this is a completely serious health matter, this has affected her lifestyle, which, in turn, affects how she dresses. And so she combines a lot of comfort into her elegant and feminine pieces, which is probably why she's so into VIVAIA. She owns not just one, but two pairs from the brand, as far as we know.
After trying the brand for myself, I could vouch for just how soft and cushiony the shoes are. After wearing my first pair out for a whole day, I didn't get even one blister! And trust me on this, we girls know we need to go through the depths of suffering first (a.k.a. wearing your shoes enough times and going through the pain of blisters) before finally being able to wear 'em in peace. But with my Margot pair, I experienced none of this. I just felt pretty all day long—not to mention, feathery light.
Are VIVAIA shoes comfortable?
The VIVAIA Margot Mary-Jane flats I had on was so incredibly light—it almost felt like I was only wearing a pair of socks. I was able to run around and chase my five-year-old nephew like it was nothing. And the best part, it is so flexible! To the point that I could literally curl my feet and it would follow. Ah-ma-zing!
Aside from their comfy materials, they also help in making sure you get the perfect size for your feet. After all, not all feet and comfort levels are the same. Their size guide takes into consideration those with wide and narrow feet or a high arch.
How much are VIVAIA shoes and where can you buy them?
You can get a pair of VIVAIA shoes at their first-ever pop-up store in the Philippines at Level R2 Bridgeway, Power Plant Mall. A pair of the Margot Mary Jane flats retails for P5,980.
For under P6,000, you can get a stylish and comfortable pair and also help the environment at the same time. I think that's a pretty good deal, especially if you have the extra budget to splurge on something special.
If you can't make it to their pop-up—or if they've run out stock—you can also place your order on VIVAIA's official website. They offer free shipping (!) and they also have 30-day free returns in case you want to send back your pair.
