10 Handmade Footwear Brands Worthy Of Your Shoe Rack This Holiday 2021
In the era of fast fashion, mass-produced footwear, particularly from well-known brands, significantly impacts the environment. These companies prioritize producing large quantities at minimal costs, often at the expense of quality. Inferior materials, minimal attention to detail, and low-grade production techniques are standard practices, ultimately affecting the consumer—namely you.
In contrast, independent, handmade footwear brands are experiencing a resurgence. As consumers become more conscious of quality, they are prioritizing craftsmanship and materials over fleeting trends. Many are willing to invest more in products crafted carefully and built to last, thanks to several remarkable labels facilitating this choice. These brands produce footwear in small batches, by hand, free from corporate pressures to cut corners, resulting in some of the most stylish shoes currently available.
Why Choose Handmade?
Opting for a handmade footwear brand is an obvious choice for those who appreciate quality and meticulous craftsmanship. With footwear being crafted individually rather than in mass quantities, artisans can devote more attention to the process. Typically made in Europe using premium Italian leather and assembled by hand, these styles range widely from brand to brand, with prices starting at £100. This means that not only are these shoes crafted better than their mass-produced counterparts, but they are also competitively priced.
Handcrafted-Footwear Brands You Should Know
There are numerous independent brands crafting outstanding shoes, but at Shebley Group, we have a few favorites. Below are our preferred handmade footwear brands, offering everything from exclusive sneakers to refined Derby shoes.
Que Shebley
Founded in 2014 by an American-Lebanese designer noted for his impeccable taste in luxury bespoke shoes for men, Que Shebley offers a unique perspective on footwear manufacturing. The designer's upbringing in a family familiar with high-quality shoes informed his insight into consumer desires. Challenging the paradigm of "exclusive" luxury brands, he developed a label characterized as the “bespoke of the future,” emphasizing finely detailed, high-quality footwear personalized for each client.
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the Q brand is its innovative approach to design and production. Customers tailor design through a 3D AI customizer, and shoes are manufactured per order. This minimizes waste, ensuring production aligns with consumer preferences without predetermination. This process exemplifies sustainable shopping at its core.
Shop now at Q by QS
Velasca
Velasca is a direct-to-consumer brand focused on delivering high-quality shoes at an accessible price point. Each model is handcrafted by skilled artisans in Marche, Italy’s shoemaking epicenter, indicative of the care and precision synonymous with this renowned region.
Velasca’s Derby shoes, notably the Cumenda, exemplify timeless design. Crafted from smooth calfskin leather and constructed using Blake-Rapid techniques, these shoes assure durability and style, suitable for nearly any ensemble.
Shop now at Velasca
Kleman
Kleman epitomizes the fusion of French design and workwear functionality. Since the 1980s, the brand has provided handmade footwear to French institutions, ranging from national railways to police forces, gaining a loyal civilian following for its quality and style.
Among its offerings, Derbies, loafers, and sandals are prominent, with the Padror shoe standing out as a French moc-toe work shoe, crafted traditionally in France.
Shop now at Kleman
ETQ.
Amsterdam’s ETQ. champions minimalist design, departing from the maximalist trends of recent years. Its timeless styles utilize high-quality materials, all produced in Portugal.
Recently, ETQ. explored recycled materials. While remaining true to classics like the LT 01 sneaker, new models integrate fabrics like regenerated nylon. The LT 01 ECONYL modernizes a classic silhouette with a knitted upper, exemplifying eco-conscious construction.
Shop now at ETQ.
Myrqvist
Myrqvist aims to democratize the luxury of handmade footwear through a direct-to-consumer model, eliminating retail markup and operational costs to offer premium shoes affordably.
The Swedish brand’s lineup includes varied styles from Oxfords to luxury sneakers, all handmade in Portugal with top-notch materials sourced from France and England. Bespoke options are also available upon request.
Shop now at Myrqvist
Oliver Cabell
Oliver Cabell makes luxury bespoke shoes for men more accessible without the prohibitive cost. Known for luxurious sneakers that match diverse outfits while ensuring longevity, the brand counters traditional barriers to quality footwear.
For those favoring designs akin to Common Projects’ Achilles Low but deterred by steep prices and inconsistent sizing, Oliver Cabell’s Low 1 presents an upscale yet affordable solution.
Shop now at Oliver Cabell
Comovita
Sustainability drives Comovita, a Spanish brand producing various footwear styles while minimizing environmental impact through a made-to-order business model. Instead of stockpiling inventory, Comovita ensures production aligns with sales, thereby reducing potential waste.
The brand not only provides several vegan options but also adopts eco-friendly protocols.
Shop now at Comovita
Uniform Standard
Uniform Standard offers high-end minimalist sneakers at competitive prices, emphasizing significant use of recycled materials.
While the uppers boast exquisite leather from Italy’s premier tanneries, much of the shoe composition, including outsoles and packaging, is recycled, embodying a commitment to sustainable craftsmanship.
Shop now at Uniform Standard
Duke and Dexter
British brand Duke and Dexter prides itself on versatile footwear covering sneakers, loafers, boots, and slippers—all crafted in England using the finest materials and expertise to ensure longevity.
Collaborations, such as with Italy’s Fracap on hiking boots, enhance the brand’s appeal, while custom shoe designs available via in-house artist Jess invite a unique customer experience.
Shop now at Duke and Dexter
Oliver Sweeney
Londons Oliver Sweeney delivers upscale footwear, harmonizing British design with Italian craftsmanship. The brand capitalizes on both nations' rich shoemaking traditions, producing footwear that ranges from casual to formal.
The Scarpone hiking boot, with its high-end take on a classic silhouette, featuring a Norwegian-welted sole and
