Portuguese Shoes

Within Portugal, the footwear sector has long been a top leader in production, specializing in leather-made footwear. Known for high-quality and durable materials, the footwear industry provides 1,103 million euros  each year to the Portuguese trade balance. Earlier this year, the Portuguese footwear industry revealed its roadmap for the next ten years, with hopes to invest 600 million euros within the next decade. It aims to become “an international benchmark in the development of sustainable solutions in our industry,” Luis Onofre, President of the APICCAPS (The Portuguese Association of Footwear Components Articles Leather Goods Substitutes), told V.

As part of BioShoes4All, LIPOR has carried out an in-depth study of the footwear consumption behaviour of Portuguese consumers in order to better understand the life cycle of products and help promote sustainable practices in the sector. The study ‘Consumer Behaviour - Footwear’ provides a comprehensive overview of the Portuguese decisions regarding the purchase, use and disposal of footwear.

After the pandemic and the rise of the digital market, the business world changed. However, Milan remains the epicentre of international fashion. This year, 40 national companies were present. For many Portuguese businessmen, it was a return to MICAM.

The FAIST mobilisation project, with a consortium of 45 co-promoters aiming to develop 34 innovative products by the end of 2025, is already well underway. According to Florbela Silva, the project coordinator, 300 new jobs will be created in the next few months, 100 of which will be highly specialised (high level of education).

The Portuguese footwear industry is committed to doubling its exports of technical footwear to 100 million euros by the end of the decade. The FAIST mobilisation project, which brings together 45 partners and aims to develop a new generation of cutting-edge technology, will be instrumental in achieving this goal.

With a degree in Product Design, Eliana Barros is the founder of Ownever, a leather goods brand focused on high-quality, sustainable products with a timeless design. And what’s more: they are made in Portugal. 

All you need to know about the Portuguese footwear industry

In the international promotion strategy of Portuguese footwear, several approaches have been explored. One of them is the association with international designers. We started at London Fashion Week with Reve de Flo’s association with Patrick McDowell, continued in Paris with the partnership between Valuni and one of the most prominent designers of today, Bianca Saunders - the UK’s Designer of the Year - and this week, Presley Odham - who has just been nominated for Young Designer of the Year - took to the runway at New York Fashion Week wearing Mariano’s shoes. Vogue Business is keeping a close eye on this movement. The Shoes Must Go On

With a degree in Fashion Design, Inês is the second generation at the helm of Leal & Cª, which has just launched the MITIK brand. The goal is to reach new markets.

"Don’t walk, Fly” is the motto of Fly London, the brand launched by Fortunato Frederico exactly 30 years ago. And if a round number is a reason to celebrate, let’s not forget that this year marks also the 40th anniversary of Kyaia. But to tell the story of these decades, we must begin with the story of Fortunato Frederico: these are the lines that cross and make Kyaia a signature project of its founder.