Mediterranean Authenticity Meets SA Flair with Espadril

No summer is complete without a quintessential pair of espadrilles, whether single or double sole, lace-up or slip-on, patterned or solid coloured, these easy-going shoes are the perfect addition to any summer look.

Be it poolside, beach strolls, or city walks, you can find your everyday effortless summer stride with local Cape Town based brand Espadril.

Espadril owners Patricia Terre and Rizqah Isaacs have created their own brand of luxury by marrying together their international and local sensibilities that represents tradition, femininity and of course summer.

The duo began selling their original Espadrils at markets in and around Cape Town, gradually building up the business from operating out of Patricia’s bedroom to having a tiny workshop in Woodstock to now selling and making out of the Bree street Espadril studio and shop.

It’s here at their Bree Street home where Mediterranean authenticity meets South African flair in each pair of espadrilles that are made by hand. Here customers can come and watch the team of four empowered South African women hand-making each pair of Espadrils, sewing together the traditional, hand-made soles imported from Spain and adding locally sourced cotton uppers to create a superb effortless, resort-ready everyday shoe.

Alongside the main-line and seasonal collections, Espadril also offers wearers the opportunity to custom-make their own unique pair of espadrilles that can be given as a gift or for a self-treat. Currently Espadril is the only espadrille brand in the world to offer a bespoke service creating freedom and luxury on another level.

For SS18 the team have also collaborated with the jeweller Matter of Fakt creating a range of Espadrils in the season’s hottest colours – pale pink and tonal green with brass fastening and cowrie shell highlights.

“This collection was inspired by a girl on the beach, where it’s shimmering hot and forever summer,” explains Patricia.

With this collection, called Amanzi, Espadril pays homage to the long summer and the refraction of past and present as water and heat melt into each other, creating a release that is full of possibility.

Complementing the Espadril bespoke and main range offerings, Amanzi is available as made-to-order and launched on 15 December.