Spanish espadrilles with Dior seal. Do you know the story?

In 2019, two women, together with an NGO, Sevilla Acoge, and with the idea of ​​launching a brand of ethical and sustainable responsibility, undertook a house footwear project that took the name of IMM Shoes ( with the 'surname' Made by Immigrants').Spanish espadrilles with Dior stamp. Do you know the story? Spanish espadrilles with Dior stamp. Do you know the story?

This summer, the Spanish firm is daring with a collection of espadrilles -Queen Letizia's favorite summer footwear- called 'Les Espadrilles', intended for outdoors this time, which has another added value: it is made with leftover leather from the tanneries of the luxury group LVMH.

"We wanted to make espadrilles because we think they perfectly represent our philosophy and what we work for. They have a humble history but they have made it to the runway and everyone loves them. They represent the ability to succeed: they have organic origins but today they are 'elevated fashion'", explains Belén H. Sánchez, one of the two founders of IMM Shoes.

Who is behind the luxury espadrilles made in Spain

Let's take a step back, with espadrilles on, and discover who is behind the 'Les Espadrilles' collection.

The alma maters of IMM Shoes are a Spaniard, Belén H. Sánchez, and Joanne Tsai, a Taiwanese woman raised in the United Kingdom.

Two very different worlds converge in the brand. "The first 12 years of my career were focused on contributing to the reduction of inequalities in health: I managed European projects and advised governments until 2011; after studying the TRIUM EMBA, I moved to China, where I co-founded a wine concept importing wine and the culture around wine. When I returned to Europe, I knew that my next challenge was going to be at the confluence of both worlds: a social enterprise", sums up his CV Sánchez.

Spanish espadrilles with Dior seal. Do you know the story?

For her part, Tsai has always developed her career in the world of luxury: "I grew up with Dior as Head of Merchandise and Marketing in London, and then continued building the brand in China. In 2018 I joined a new venture in Paris at Rihanna's Fenty label".

China brought these restless souls and expatriates together at a dinner in Shanghai, where "mutual admiration and firm conviction for the need to create businesses that aim to contribute to the improvement of society brought us closer", explains Sánchez .

This improvement of society and their common commitment to slow, ethical and responsible fashion materializes at IMM Shoes through the collaboration with Sevilla Acoge, a pioneer association in helping the migrant population to integrate into Spanish society since 1985 There they discovered great artisans, experts in leather goods and the manufacture of handmade footwear.

Specifically, for the creation of the 2021 summer espadrilles collection, Rafael Castellón is their senior craftsman. "He is a veteran Honduran shoemaker with experience in pattern making and an expert in espadrilles. He trained in Italy and worked in the espadrille industry for more than a decade," summarizes Belén H. Sánchez.

The best materials, leftovers from luxury brands

For the first IMM Shoes collection, intended for the domestic sphere but made with the highest quality leather, Belén toured France and Spain looking for leftover materials -"I found the leather in Ubrique (Cádiz), the epicenter of leather where I found suppliers who sold me leftovers from luxury brand collections", he says-, for the espadrilles of the 'Les Espadrilles' collection they have been used around 70% of materials come from tanneries owned by LVMH (where brands such as Dior, Louis Vuitton or Loewe make their bags, shoes and other objects of desire).

Specifically, the leathers with which the espadrilles are made come from the fashion giant's Metier d'Art factories, the most exquisite and exclusive, where the most famous pieces are made.

But there's more. "We have had the privilege of being able to source certain materials thanks to the recently launched LVMH Nona-Source supply platform, an online platform that the group has just launched with the aim of selling surplus material from the brands that are part of it. ", details Sanchez.

Three models of luxury espadrilles

Thus, all this history materializes in the aforementioned summer collection 'Les Espadrilles', made from sustainable materials ranging from leather to denim, which could well be also be in a Dior or a Louis Vuitton.

There are three different models of espadrilles: some in two-tone fabric, some sandals, and some with square toes in leather and denim. All are available in 13 colors and have prices ranging from 95 to 145 euros, depending on the model.


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