You May Also Like
Discover more brands you might be interested in
Souliers Martinez
France · Est. 2017 · Luxury
Julien Martinez launched Souliers Martinez in Paris in 2017, drawing heavily on his Spanish heritage. A visit to an Alicante workshop introduced him to hand-braided leather, which became a defining feature of the label. The shoes combine that visible craft with shaped heels, pointed or softly squared toes and colours that give classic silhouettes a distinctive finish.
The women’s range includes woven sandals, pumps, flats and boots, alongside mesh, raffia and occasion styles. According to the brand’s history, its original leather designs were assembled and finished in Spain. Current material guides also identify production in Portugal and Italy for particular categories, so the manufacturing country is specific to the shoe rather than the label as a whole.
Souliers Martinez sells through its own online shop and stockists. Its general European size chart covers EU 35–41. Fit advice varies by construction: some styles recommend sizing up between sizes, while others recommend sizing down.
Mariano Shoes
Portugal · Est. 1945 · Mid-range
Mariano Shoes began in 1945 when shoemaker Mariano de Jesus Gomes started producing footwear under the Mariano name in São João da Madeira, Portugal. The company now operates in nearby Oliveira de Azeméis and continues to describe its shoes as handmade, from the first leather cut through the final polish.
Its current shop covers men’s and women’s footwear, including loafers, sneakers, boots and more formal shoes. Some men’s designs have special-size options, which are worth checking if a standard size range has been limiting. The brand sells directly online and provides product-specific size and availability information for its different collections.
Mariano says its footwear can be restored, extending the useful life of a pair. It also reports using recycled-material packaging. Those are more specific points to consider than a general sustainability label, while the materials and construction of a particular shoe should be checked on its listing.
Diverge Sneakers
Portugal · Est. 2018 · Mid-range
DiVERGE is a Portuguese footwear brand founded in 2018. Customization is central to its sneakers: customers can use the website to start with a base design or adapt one of the brand’s suggested combinations, choosing a look before the pair is made.
DiVERGE says its sneakers are handcrafted to order in Portugal. Its current site highlights leather from LWG Gold-rated suppliers and OEKO-TEX-certified materials, though the composition should still be checked for each design. Making pairs after they are ordered is part of its approach to limiting overproduction. The company is also listed by B Lab as a Certified B Corporation.
The official shop is the place to design and order a pair, with product pages explaining the customization choices, sizing and expected production period. DiVERGE also runs iMAGINE, a programme intended to help young people facing social exclusion build employment and entrepreneurship skills. These are specific parts of the brand’s work for shoppers assessing its environmental and social claims.
