This story has been told a thousand times: a group of friends returned from Argentina in 2006 with a box of canvas espadrilles that they sold to friends and colleagues at Universidade Nova. These laid-back shoes, which screamed in summer, were adopted by the Portuguese in a way that today Paes is more Portuguese than ever. From this initial group, only one person remained, the company fell into the hands of a Guatemalan and a Portuguese, and now the operation is completely carried out from Lisbon. Francisco Lacerda and Mafalda Amaral joined the team in 2019, shortly before the covid-19 wave. They paint the present and future of the brand.
Mafalda Amaral, in charge of product design and marketing, gets right down to business: “We made winter products, but we are admittedly summer shoes.” “We are always looking for the sun,” concludes Francisco Lacerda.
We are located in the brand’s showroom on the ground floor above the brand’s store, overlooking Rua do Alecrim, a few meters from the hustle and bustle of Largo do Chiado. Paez hangs on every wall, from prototypes due next year to releases in 2021.
Nearby are traditional espadrilles in regular colors or trendy tones (€ 39.90), prints and vibrant (€ 49.90) that anticipate a free summer from COVID-19, as well as innovations such as Paez moccasins (49.90) that are relaxed. but in the spirit of a resort, for dinner at the end of the day, says Francisco Lacerda, is itself a showcase of a product with a pair of striped stripes, a classic pattern from the brand’s early days, on its feet. Another novelty this year is sandals. “We have our classics and then we play with other models,” say Mafalda and Francisco. New models are added to the bestsellers that attract attention and figure prominently in the portfolio. In all of them, they explain, they want to see the spirit of Paez.
There are 80 links in total for children and adults, including Portugal, as well as Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Germany and South Africa.
In the first decade of life, changes began to be made, such as the Velcro on the children’s espadrilles (€ 29.90), but they were at cruising speed when the new team entered. Today there are seven of them. “We think we can go further,” they say, aiming to “enjoy all the virtues of the iconic summer shoe, lightweight and comfortable.”
They don’t use the word sustainable, far from trying to look good in environmental photography. “We are responsible,” says Francisco. “Let’s make the best choice at any time, be honest,” concludes Mafalda Amaral. This year, they used recycled plastic bottle materials produced in Vietnam in a certified Spanish factory since 2019, after three years in China.
Mafalda Amaral says there is a big prejudice about Asia that is no longer true. We are with this partner who accompanies us in search of materials, one of the changes that they have made. “Paez have the same spirit, but everything has changed: outsole, insole, fabric …” It’s about comfort and lightness, breathable materials, “he says. Motto: “Comfortable but modern”.
Where to find
Paes Rua do Alecrim, no. 62 Freeport alcochete online Email Mail: onlineshop@paez.com
