Earlier this month, the best shoemakers and brands from all over the world gathered at the London Super Trunk Show to celebrate the art of bespoke shoemaking through a competition. Dubbed World Championships of Shoemaking, the contest is led by Jesper Ingevaldsson of Shoegazing, Justin FitzPatrick of The Shoe Snob blog, and Kirby Allison. For its fifth edition, a Filipino brand entered the global contest.
Sapatero took the ninth spot in the competition with its unique shoe design. Its saddle loafers feature a case back watch-inspired design with Solihiya weave band. While its soles had a “windowed bottom showcasing the hand welting and brass shank of the pair.” The shoes were literally a product of hard work, taking over 100 hours to produce.
“It was a surreal experience, to say the least, with us being recognized by the people we have looked up to ever since we started as a company,” the brand posted on social media. “We were there alongside elite shoemakers, patrons of our craft from all around the world, and figureheads that have inspired us throughout our entire journey… We are incredibly proud to say that we made it to the 9th overall spot in the global competition.”
Founded in 2013, Sapatero is one of the local footwear brands aiming to revitalize the tradition of Philippine handmade shoemaking. As per the brand, its pride lies in being “the only known shoemaking house in the Philippines to still practice the traditional method of hand welting.”
“As we celebrate our 10th year in the industry with this milestone, we wish to thank everyone who has become a part of our journey—our team, our clients, friends, followers, and supporters,” Sapatero posted. “We will only continue to improve our skill and craftsmanship, and we look forward to next year’s competition.”
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