Behind the scenes look at our factory

Last week, we had the amazing opportunity to visit the factory where our shoes are being individually handcrafted by artisanal shoemakers. We were blown away by the experience and are excited to share more about our visit! 

Thanks to our relationship with our local business partner, Hermínio Silva, we were fortunate to connect with one of the best factories in Northern Portugal for the production of our sneakers. Our factory is located in the beautiful countryside in a small village called Regilde (about 40 minutes outside Porto). The region is known for its long history of shoemaking, and some of the world’s best shoe factories can be found here. 

Our founder, Christina Bullock, with our local partner, Hermínio Silva

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the 3 factory owners and learned a bit about the history of the factory. We learned that it had been in operation for over 12 years and has produced high-quality footwear for some of the world’s most well-known brands. The factory prides itself on its attention to detail and the use of traditional craftsmanship techniques. 

We were then given a tour of the facilities and showroom. The tour started in the receiving area, where the shoe components and boxes are received, inspected, and organized before going into production. 

Next, we entered the factory floor where we saw over 20 different stations set up for the various stages of the shoemaking process. The workers all seemed to be focused and efficient in their tasks. Watching the shoes take shape right in front of us was fascinating, from the cutting of the leather to the final stitching (Stay tuned for a video showing the shoemaking process!).

We then moved on to the quality control area. Workers meticulously inspected each shoe to ensure it met the factory’s high standards. Any shoes that didn’t pass the inspection were set aside for further review or repair. It was easy to see why this factory had such a great reputation in the industry! 

We were impressed by the large windows that offered lots of natural light and gorgeous views of the rolling hills. The air smelled fresh and well-ventilated. The noise level was minimal and the floor was clean and organized. Scraps were collected and set aside to be donated to other local factories making small leather goods. 

We learned that workers were given a 1 1/2 lunch break and a subsidy for their meals. In addition, they received 2 breaks (1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon). They were free to use the restroom whenever they wanted and seemed happy to be there, taking pride in their work. 

We left feeling even more confident and content that we chose Portugal to make our shoes. Not only because they are ethically made, meeting the highest regulations and standards (more on that here), but also because of the attention to detail and craftsmanship that went into each shoe. We have a renewed appreciation for the art of shoemaking and cannot wait to return someday!