‘Made in Portugal’ Mariano Shoes celebrates 80th anniversary

Mariano Shoes, which was founded at the end of World War II in 1945 as a small family business, celebrates its 80th anniversary this month.

The company based in Oliveira de Azeméis in Portugal produces luxury handcrafted shoes based on eight decades or quality, tradition and craftsmanship.

50% of the company’s online sales are exports. The main overseas market is the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Kuwait,) followed by North America (US and Canada). Within Europe Mariano’s biggest markets are Spain and Germany. The company also has a physical store on Rua Castilho in Lisbon with customers a mix of Lisboners and tourists.

The brand has recently undergone a revitalization of its identity combining a clean and contemporary aesthetic with a market position called ‘modern heritage’ which it used in both the national and international markets.

To celebrate it’s 80th anniversary, Mariano Shoes has launched a digital campaign project ‘8 Decades, 8 Stories’ – a narrational concept that will share the various facets of Mariano’s journey, offering behind the scenes access to the brand including:

Master Craftsmanship tells stories highlighting the mastery of the artisans with a focus on handicraft at the actual atelier in Olivera de Azemeís where each pair of shoes in meticulously created.

The Sustainable Commitment: An in-depth sharing of the brand’s responsible practices,
including the exclusive use of leather from food industry by-products, industry, the incorporation of Portuguese cork in the soles, and the atelier’s use of renewable energy.

The Modern Heritage Culture: An explanation of how the brand’s design evolved into
a fusion of subtle creativity and modern tradition, exemplified by its most recent collection, “Solares” — currently available in store and online.
An additional drop is planned for the end of the month, the “Gala Capsule,” with models
adapted to the festive season.

Fátima Oliveira, CEO of Mariano Shoes, underlines the brand’s focus: “Celebrating 80 years is not
just a feat of longevity, it’s proof of the unquestionable quality of our product and the loyalty of our community. This anniversary is a tribute to our history, our Portuguese origin and, above all, our local artisans and partners. Our commitment is to continue to inspire generations, creating shoes that are not a passing fad, but a lasting investment.”