Are those Louboutins? Maglis? Magnannis? Nope, Monticellos

There are shoes.

And then there are shoes that should be classified as works of art.

Shoes so exquisite in design and construction that you aren't sure whether you should walk in them or just admire them.

Shoes so sweet you wouldn't dare use them to kick somebody's butt. So tantalizing you'd miss meals to squeeze their cost into your budget.

I'm starving now for a pair of these killers.

The collections at Monticello Shoes in Norfolk are the middle-class answer to couture designer Christian Louboutin's world-renowned, red-soled numbers relished by the likes of Oprah Winfrey and other A-list stars.

Matter of fact, Monticello Shoes boasts a red-carpet sandal drenched in Swarovsky crystals that is dubbed "The Oprah."

Monticello Shoes is the brainchild of two young Norfolk men who've parlayed their innate design sense into an emerging world-class boutique.

"We wanted to give it the name of home," said Michael Brown, co-owner and manager. "This is our own brand."

The shop opened in March at City Hall and Monticello avenues downtown.

Every shoe, every handbag, every belt is designed in-house and bears the distinctive "MS" logo. The design is then handcrafted in Brazil, a country known for its superior shoe craftsmanship. Monticello Shoes carries only one size of each pair of shoes it creates.

Do you hear me?

That means you would be the only person IN THE WORLD with that shoe in your size. And if you see a style you like but want it in another color or with other details, no sweat. Making your own shoe will increase the price about 75 percent, Brown said, but the option is ideal for occasions like a wedding. You can go so far as to have your name engraved on the sole.

Brown is 33 and taught himself this trade. His partner is Thomas Smith, 26, a Tidewater Community College grad. They and four other local designers work together and compete for their collections to go on display in the boutique. The display freshens every six to eight weeks, Brown said.

Other designers are: LaShawna Alford, 27 (Brown's sister), Karen Ramirez, 29 (Brown's girlfriend), Shannon Charity, 28, and Jasmine Oyola, 19.

The use of budding talent keeps costs competitive, Brown said.

Men's stock as of the weekend included everything from a sandal to a sport shoe to a business style, with prices from $79.95 to $219.95. The business-casual designs are several steps above the comparably priced ECCO brand that can be found at better department stores the world over. The business-dress shoes follow a metropolitan classic line, but with more oomph, that compare to the higher-priced Bruno Magli or Magnanni brands.

Women's shoes begin at $135.95 and max at $595.95 for "The Oprah," although most styles are around $200 or less. You can find everything from a classic black pump to a crystal-dripping stiletto. An understated embellishment of Swarovsky crystals can be found on several of the women's styles, particularly on the buckle of strappy designs.

The crystal "MS" logo is bolder on the handbags, which range from $130 to $359. Monticello bags have a patented illumination system that helps you go straight to what you were digging for.

To make sure their shoes are competitive, Brown and Thomas bought high-end shoes and cut them up to study their construction. Once they cemented product quality, they focused on the presentation and the packaging.

The boutique, in the Monticello Arcade, indeed feels rich. And the displays are intimate, unlike the generic department store setups.

"If you care about your feet, care about how you look, and the exclusivity factor, that's really what it's all about," Brown said.

Yet the shoes won't suit everyone.

If you wear a half size, you might have to keep steppin' - sizes come only in whole numbers. If your foot is wide or narrow, same deal. The shoes come in average width only.

Brown and Smith got into the business by designing men's shoes, but now the demand from women has outpaced men's purchases, and one section of men's stock soon will be replaced with more selections for women, Brown said.

But trust me: There are styles aplenty to suit nearly every man's taste. My husband is craving a pair, and normally a sock with a sole would suit him.

"Everybody gets a chance to have a nice, distinctive (pair of) shoes at a reasonable price," Brown said.

Reasonable is relative, you know.

So I say, if the shoe fits, foot the bill.

Jamesetta M. Walker, (757) 446-2211, jamesetta.walker@pilotonline.com