One to Watch: Pedro Garcia

I first met the shoes that would later become something of an obsession a year ago at Century 21. Forest green with frayed satin and an elastic band of Swarovski crystals (seeing is loving, trust H&B on this!), they were like my version of Cinderella's glass slippers. These were shoes that took you places. They personified haute. And they HAD to be mine. Running to the register giddy with treasure-found, I soon had my own clock striking midnight moment—when the security tag was removed a very perceptible hole remained in the beautiful satin, leaving me alas slipperless and bothered. Very bothered! And so, with that sad sad tale, I began my love affair with Spanish designer Pedro García.

While the brand has been around for quite some time it has only been in the US market for two years. But in that span, it has fast become a favorite of celebs like The Olsens, Victoria Beckham and Kirsten Dunst with fashion critics calling García the next Manolo Blahnik (talk about tough shoes to fill!). Sold at Saks, Nordstrom, Fred Segal, Bergdorf and several online outlets, the shoes—which are 100% made in Spain—are sold at a limited number of high end retailers. "We didn't go to America to sell thousands of pairs. We went there to be in the right places," said Pedro García Sr., the label's managing director.

With its first stand-alone store now open in Madrid, and an increasingly high profile following here, Pedro García is definitely one to watch.