Chilean designer Rodrigo Alonso creates fair trade shoes that can be disassembled and flattened!

Shoes say a lot about a person. Some people like to share their glamorous sense of style by wearing $100 shoes, while others, like myself, keep it simple with flip flops or slip-ons. Chilean designer Rodrigo Alonso apparently has the same relaxed attitude about shoes as me because his new series of urban shoes, called ARMO, are comfortable, fun and easy to wear. Oh, and they also come inside an envelope!

If you’re wondering how these shoes could possibly fit inside an envelope, let me explain. Rodrigo designed the ARMO shoes as an alliance between his studio and Un techo para Chile, a Chilean non-profit organization that helps communities rise from poverty. He wanted to design a series of shoes that would be simple and affordable for communities to produce, but also take up minimum space. That way anyone could wear them, and they could literally fit into any purse, bag or envelope for easy transportation. Thus, the idea for the flattened, easy-to-assemble ARMO shoes was born!

Here’s my short, yet informative tutorial on how to wear the shoes:

1. Buy the shoes in an envelope.

2. Take the shoes out of the envelope.

3. Open them up, assemble, then wear!

Men get to choose between comfy slip-ons.

Women can choose between stylish sandals.

I don’t know about you, but I’m in awe of these designs. Stylish shoes that can literally fit inside an envelope? Mail me a whole box!

If you still need proof that these shoes are truly one-of-a-kind and amazing, just look at these pictures of designer Rodrigo Alonso:

All photos from Rodrigo Alonso website

Wouldn’t you buy shoes from a designer that looks this happy? I would.

Check out our other article about Rodrigo's 100% Recycled Plastic Furniture