Everything started with a dream. Filipa Júlio, an architect by trade, wanted to create elegant casual footwear to pay a tribute to her past as a ballerina while honoring the future of modern Portuguese women. Filipa’s original idea quickly developed towards unique ballet flats aimed to give women the sense of elegance and confidence. Filipa Júlio went to São João da Madeira, a Portuguese region with a profound tradition and intense expertise within the footwear industry, where she met two shoemakers who partnered with her.

After a year researching materials, testing and trying out different options, the Josefinas ballet flats were created with high quality leather (including for the soles) and top quality grosgrain. All details were taken into consideration, even the cord that tightens the flats. In fact, a unique feature of the Josefinas it’s their adjustable tie, allowing a tighter or looser fit, depending on the needs of each foot. According to the brand: “The different types of leather used were selected taking into account the need for flexible materials that were capable of adapting to the foot’s elasticity while simultaneously allowing it to breathe”.

Now the brand launched the special edition Rose Couture, and although this is not a limited edition, each pair has to be custom-made. In fact, the brand works with four embroiderers from the north of Portugal, representatives of an almost extinct art and these craftswomen learned everything about their craft from their grandparents. Each pair of sneakers costs 495 euros, given the very thorough, refined and dedicated work involved in the making of the shoes.

Josefinas products are available online at the brand's website and the brand just recently opened its first physical store in New York.