overview
Why We Make Shoes in Europe
Craftsmanship from Portugal
For over ten years, we have been making our shoes in São João da Madeira, a Portuguese city where everything revolves around footwear. In this region, we collaborate with three factories: true family businesses where shoes have been made for generations. Grandfathers, fathers, and sons often work together on the same last. You can feel that in the craftsmanship. Shoemaking here is not an industry, but a craft passed down from generation to generation.
For Mascolori, this is important. Our shoes are colorful and quirky, but they also have to fit perfectly. In Portugal, we find exactly that combination: creativity and traditional shoemaking knowledge.
Collaboration
Our Portuguese partners actively contribute to ideas about fit, comfort, and new materials. That's what makes our collaboration so interesting. When we come up with a new idea – for example, a special print, a different sole, or a new type of leather – they immediately look at how it can be technically best produced. Sometimes they even suggest improvements we hadn't thought of. This creates a true dialogue between design and craftsmanship. Thanks to their experience, they know exactly how a shoe molds to the foot, how leather reacts, and how a model can become even more comfortable. This makes our designs not only more beautiful but also more wearable.
A region full of shoes
A few times a year, we travel to Portugal ourselves. Sometimes we even bring customers to show them where their shoes are made. In São João da Madeira, everything is close by. You'll find the shoe museum, leather suppliers, sole makers, and of course, the workshops where the shoes are produced. The entire region breathes shoes. It's inspiring to see how much knowledge and specialization comes together there. During such a visit, we look at new materials, discuss prototypes, and discover new techniques. Because everything is so close, ideas can be quickly tested and improved.
Small batches, high quality
The quality of Portuguese shoes is unparalleled. What's particularly important to us is that the factories are happy to work with smaller quantities. This fits perfectly with Mascolori. Many of our designs are produced in limited editions. This allows us to experiment with prints, colors, and materials without immediately producing thousands of pairs. The craftsmanship of Portuguese shoemakers makes this possible. Every shoe receives attention, and it is precisely this that allows us to continue innovating. For us, producing in Europe is not only a choice for quality but also for creativity, flexibility, and true collaboration. Below you can see some shoes we had specially made for our Mascoloristas who traveled with us. Truly one-of-a-kind!
