3 MUST-KNOW SHOE BRANDS THAT DESERVE YOUR ATTENTION
When you love footwear, it can feel like a constant treasure hunt. Always searching for silhouettes that balance artistry, heritage and contemporary design. Beyond the big labels, there are smaller houses whose craft and philosophy deserve attention.
Hereu - A Mediterranean Tribute
Hereu was founded in 2014 by José Luis Bartolomé and Albert Escribano, friends from Valencia and Mallorca. After years spent in London and Paris, the duo returned to their Mediterranean roots to create a slow‑fashion label that would celebrate traditional Spanish craftsmanship. The name Hereu comes from the Catalan word for “heir,” signalling their intention to carry forward a distinctive heritage. Made in Spain. All of Hereu’s shoes, bags and small leather goods are handcrafted in Spain by family‑run manufacturers.
The brand’s design philosophy marries heritage with modernism, resulting in effortlessly modern silhouettes characterised by a laid‑back, understated Mediterranean sensibility. A balanced palette of natural tones, supple leathers and interwoven details conveys warmth and nostalgia while remaining wearable for daily life. Hereu’s aesthetic fuses inherited folk techniques with references to modernist art and organic forms. It is rooted in functional footwear from Spain and other Mediterranean regions: Moccasins, espadrilles and fisherman’s sandals, which the team refines into contemporary pieces. Woven cross‑body bags reinterpret wicker baskets and the best‑selling Soller Sport shoe combines a T‑bar upper with hand‑sewn moccasin construction.
Jacques Solovière - Parisian Minimalism With a Twist
Jacques Solovière is a Parisian footwear label launched in June 2014 by French designer Alexia Aubert. Aubert began her career at Christian Louboutin in 2004, later leading the studio at Pierre Hardy and directing footwear design at Oscar de la Renta. She named the brand after her grandfather Jacques Solovière in tribute to his elegant style. While the design studio is in Paris, production takes place in Portugal using components sourced from Italy’s finest suppliers. The brand focuses on longevity, timeless taste and cross‑generational appeal, crafting shoes that blend gorgeous detailing with practical silhouettes.
Minimalist, unisex silhouettes. Jacques Solovière’s shoes occupy the space between minimalist sneakers and classic dress shoes. The brand’s manifesto emphasises effortless chic and unisex design. Masculine styles serve as the starting point and are then adapted to women’s sizing. Key styles include slippers, brogues and derbies made from ultra‑light materials, often featuring a single‑piece upper for simplicity. The designs reinterpret wardrobe essentials with refined details like gathered tongues and crepe rubber soles. These elements give the shoes a relaxed sophistication—casual enough for everyday wear yet polished enough to elevate jeans or a suit. The use of Tuscan suede and a family‑run factory near Tuscany ensures supple uppers and comfortable construction.
Doucal’s - Italian Craftsmanship Meets British Elegance
The roots of Doucal’s trace back to 1968, when Mario Giannini founded the artisanal workshop Ducale in Montegranaro, Italy, producing luxurious shoes for noble families. A few years later he travelled to Northampton, England - the heart of British shoe‑making to study Goodyear construction and English style. In 1973 he anglicised the name of his company to Doucal’s, blending British influence with Italian elegance. Today the brand is run by Gianni and Jerry Giannini, Mario’s sons, who have grown the workshop into a leading luxury shoemaker while preserving their father’s vision. Doucal’s has even opened an archival museum with more than 3,000 artefacts to honour its history.
Doucal’s design ethos marries English elegance with Italian craftsmanship. The shoes are conceived to resemble English footwear yet incorporate the softness and flexibility of Italian shoes. Features like shape‑memory foam footbeds and liners with activated carbon provide comfort and freshness, setting Doucal’s apart from stiffer British styles. Traditional techniques and innovation. Doucal’s artisans continue to craft shoes in the Marche region, passing the vision from father to son since 1973. Each product blends tradition with innovation; designers work closely with artisans to update classic silhouettes while prioritising comfort and functionality. Leather is sourced from certified Italian tanneries for its aesthetic and structural qualities, then cut, stitched, assembled and hand‑patinated to achieve depth and character. The result is footwear that combines Anglo‑Saxon style with Italian softness. Think penny loafers, double‑buckled shoes and wing tips with elegant proportions and rich patinas.