I needed tall gladiators for Rio Carnaval and Brazil Carnival shop was able to get them too me immediately before I left to Brazil. I paid a hefty price of around $250 when you can get from Brazil for just $50-$100 and that's where this company also gets their shoes. But I had no choice and I really appreciated them helping me to get them in time for my trip. I had planned to use them as back up shoes and luckily I had them because the shoes my atelier had for me were too small so these worked perfectly. I only wore two times to practice and then on the Avenida once. They were perfect until I stepped out on the Avenida in front of my school. Right away the left flap st the ball of my foot started to detach. I didn't want to pull the whole thing off because I'm literally on stage at this point. So I had to samba for two hours straight praying I wouldn't trip over the broken shoe while dancing. So it sucks to pay so much for shoes that break when you really need them. But At least I got the shoes In time and made it through without falling.