DeutschWhat are espadrilles?
Espadrilles are casual summer slip-on shoes. They traditionally had a canvas or cotton fabric upper and a flexible sole made of esparto rope or jute. They were the original peasant footwear from Spain, where they have been around since at least the 14th century. Today they are still being produced the same way.
Why espadrilles?
Espadrilles are worn without socks, so your feet feel incredibly free. They bring memories of the beach, summer and sun, and are the perfect shoes for the warmer months. The classic espadrille style with a durable rubber outsole and a comfortable footbed has also become popular as a walking shoe that looks casual, feels comfortable, and is highly durable.
Shoqt espadrilles
Times change, and although the production process remains as it was six centuries ago, the fabric and design possibilities have evolved incredibly.
We at Shoqt decided to combine the best of then and now, keeping the original handmade jute soles and introducing trendy leathers and fabrics of recycled polyester lined with recycled cotton. All of this plus the craziest prints specially designed by us!
• Our espadrilles are 100% made in Spain by craft artisans.
• Our certified recycled polyester, also known as PET, is obtained by melting down existing plastic and re-spinning it into new polyester fiber.
This fabric is very strong and allows really bright colors when printed, which is perfect for our quirky designs. The polyester upper is lined on the inside with certified recycled cotton, giving the shoes a much gentler feel in the shoe and allowing better breathing for your feet during the hot summer days.
• Our leathers are chromium-free and come only from certified tanneries.
• Our soles are made of 100% premium quality jute. The jute twines are first braided, then manually formed into the shape of the sole and hydraulically pressed with heat. The base of the sole is reinforced with a vulcanized rubber layer for a longer duration. The upper part is totally hand sewn to the sole.
The production of espadrilles remains mostly traditional, with little changes introduced over the years. It is precisely the “imperfection” of this artisan work which remains the main essence of the espadrilles.
We at Shoqt did not want to lose this spirit. Each one of our pairs is unique in its own way. Tradition, sustainability and style come together in each pair of our beautiful shoes.
All about us
Irene
Germany. January 2021. The Covid-19 pandemic just keeps getting worse. Here in Germany, we’re now well into our second lockdown. And if that wasn’t bad enough, it’s freezing outdoors, with temperatures as low as -6º Celsius.
And me? I’m sat here planning the summer collection for my online shop for children’s shoes. After being born and raised in Valencia, Spain, it comes as no surprise that espadrilles have always been a part of my life. After all, no other type of shoe is more representative of our traditions. That said, most of these shoes have a plain and simple design … why has nobody thought to produce them with different, more vibrant prints?
I decided to research the matter further, and a quick online search revealed just a handful of results. Nobody makes them; there are almost none on the market. Could I possibly…?
After sharing my idea with a friend, I asked her: what should I do? Should I give it a go? Or do you think I’m crazy? “You’re crazy if you don’t try it,” she said. The initial spark had already come to life as an idea in my mind, but it wasn’t till I made another call a couple of hours later that what was only an idea became something tangible: after calling Gonzalo in Valencia, a graphic designer and friend of many years, Shoqt had become a reality.
Twenty minutes later, we already had a precise idea of our new company.
The best things in life are usually unplanned.
Gonzalo
Spain. January 2021. The Covid-19 pandemic is currently worse than ever. Here in Spain, we are now in the third wave, riding the tide like surfers in a storm. It’s a lovely day though: cold but with beautiful sunshine.
And here I was, wasting my time while my thoughts embarked on an endless battle between boredom and depression. Born and raised in Valencia, I’d already slipped off my espadrilles to go barefoot at home. The phone rang, I picked up, and Irene shook me out of my pandemic lethargy like an earthquake invading my mind. She was talking about espadrilles, about prints, telling me that nobody makes them! Could I? Should I give it a go? Or do you think I’m crazy?
We decided to go for it, and from that moment on, Shoqt had become a reality. Twenty minutes later, we already had a precise idea of our new company.
The best things in life are usually unplanned – especially once they’re shared.
Stefan
Germany. January 2021. Just another winter day at work. When I got home that evening, my wife greeted me with the words: “Honey, we need to talk”. Now honestly: is there anything more terrifying for a man to hear?
This is not looking good, I thought to myself.
But then it got worse.
Because then she said: “Honey, I have an idea”.
Pure panic shot through my veins.
But then she started talking about these Spanish shoes, about prints, about the gap in the market. About making a website, about Gonzalo designing the prints … and right then, I knew it, as only a husband can know: this is going to mean a whole lot of work for me. But I also knew that it would definitely be worth the ride.
The best things in life are usually unplanned – especially once they’re shared (with your wife, of course!).