Pashion Footwear on 'Shark Tank': What is the cost, who is the founder and where to buy the convertible high heels
A pair of sky-high heels can transform even the drabbest look into a glitzy and glamorous one. While there's no denying that high heels certainly score high when it comes to aesthetics and looks, unfortunately, the same can't be said about their functionality and comfort. Just a few hours in heels can leave you with excruciating foot pain, and even back pain, if heels are worn regularly.
Although we women are more than familiar with the age-old adage "beauty is pain", doesn't mean that we have to continue to suffer in silence while wearing an exceptionally beautiful pair of heels. A California-based entrepreneur, Haley Pavone, came up with the perfect solution, that promises to keep our feet trendy while also ensuring we don't have to sacrifice our comfort with her company Pashion Footwear.
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What is Pashion Footwear?
Women and their footwear is a never-ending love affair. How often have you looked at a pair of heels and wished that they were as comfortable as wearing flats? Well, if you ever wished that, then you'll be thrilled to know that Pashion Footwear might be the answer to all your prayers. Touted as convertible heels, which can be transformed into flats, Pashion Footwear seems to be certainly making waves in the footwear industry.
"Pashion Footwear dreams of a day where women can fully customize their convertible high heels to assure that their shoes can adapt to their day as epically as they do," describes the brand's website.
In case you're wondering how the Pashion shoes can be converted from heels into flats then we got you covered. Pashion Footwear's shoe's soles are made from thermoplastic and nylon, which allows flexibility between heel and flat with only the assistance of the users' body weight. The secret behind this magical conversion is from the shoe's removable heel and removable arch support — "The Pashion Stelo", a technology that allows the show to completed flatten out. A customer can simply turn the heel and remove the stelo from the shoe with ease and then click on a flat heel cap. Reattaching the Stelo is as easy as locking it in place and turning the heel back to its original placement.
The shoe's sole is made from thermoplastic and nylon, which allows flexibility between heel and flat with only the assistance of the consumer’s body weight. The key innovation enabling the shoe’s conversion comes from the shoe’s removable heel and removable arch support, “The Pashion Stelo.” This technology allows the shoe to completely flatten out. Customers can simply turn the heel and detach the Stelo from the shoe with ease and then click on a flat heel cap. Reattaching the Stelo is as easy as locking it in place and turning the heel back to its original placement.
Who is the founder?
Haley Pavone is the genius behind Pashion Footwear. Hayley came up with the brilliant idea for convertible heels after a night out with her friends. While she was out partying with her friends, she did what any other girl would do, removed her high heels, and hit the dance floor barefoot to have a good time. Unfortunately, Haley's foot was "impaled" by one of her friend's stiletto. This led Haley to start researching and working on high heels. She discovered that high heels were the no. 1 cause of foot pain in the US. She says, "Women are all too familiar with the backache that comes with heels, but what they often don't realize is by the time you feel it in your back, your feet, ankles, knees, and hips are all compromised."
Haley was still in college at that time, so she roped in two of her fellow students — Tyler Unbehand, who specializes in industrial technology, and Seiji van Bronkhorst, a mechanical engineer specializing in shoe design, to help her bring Pashion Footwear to life. Haley's mission was to create a comfortable heel that can transition through the course of the day to meet a woman's needs.
“I founded Pashion Footwear because women should not have to sacrifice comfort for style. The women of today are hustling...we’ve got careers, social lives, families, travel - you name it, we’re doing it all. The last thing we should be worrying about is if we will regret our footwear choice a few hours into the day. Traditional heels are outdated, un-innovative and completely disregard the daily life of real women. Convertible heels, however, can and WILL keep up with you, wherever you’re headed. Practical + Fashion = Pashion... that is the core of what we stand for," explains Haley on the brand's website.
What is the cost and where to buy?
A pair of Pashions retails between the range of $170- $190, and includes a full Convertible Tech Package (two shoe soles and two heels, two removable Stelo arch supports, rubber heel caps to protect the shoes while worn as flats, and a drawstring bag to stow parts). Additional heel kits (replacement heels or heels of different heights) costs $35.- $45. You can purchase a pair of Pashions from their website here.
Where are they now?
In an interview with Forbes, Haley explained her plans of expansion. She said, "Boots, booties, pumps, sandals, block heels, all heights, suede, leather ... if our customers want it, we can (and will) make it. The sky truly is the limit for Pashion Footwear. After all, women do it all, and so should their shoes.”
Who will steal the deal?
Guest shark Kendra Scott might definitely be intrigued by the product, and try negotiating a deal. We will just have to watch the upcoming episode of 'Shark Tank' to see which shark will close the deal, or if Pashion Footwear even manages to reel in a shark.
'Shark Tank' Season 12 airs every Friday at 8/7c only on ABC.
