Boot brand celebrates Mexican artisans
Fleece & Hide footwear designed in Vancouver, handcrafted in Chiapas, Leon
Have you ever looked down at your shoes and wondered where exactly they come from? And who exactly made them? If so, the new Vancouver-based brand Fleece & Hide may be for you.
Offering made-in-Mexico boots, the company aims to fill in the blanks between production and purchase. Relying on traditional craftsmanship techniques that merge with modern design, the company's footwear approach embraces small batch and slow fashion.
We caught up with founder Ciaran Acford to learn more.
Q What is Fleece & Hide?
A Fleece & Hide is a local
Vancouver brand specializing in small-batch, handcrafted leather boots. We're on a mission to connect our customers with the hands and the faces of the people that made their boots, while showcasing and honouring traditional craftsmanship. Fleece & Hide is as much the person who wove the textile, cut the leather or stitched the sole as it is the person who chooses to add a touch of colour to their shoe rack with a pair of our boots.
Q What makes it unique from other footwear brands?
A What makes us different is the blending of traditional techniques with a modern platform and design. The textiles that we use have been woven by hand for centuries and have traditionally been used for linens, blouses and cushion covers. The area of Mexico where our boots are made has long been known for its high-quality cowboy boots. We saw an opportunity to take these classic products and showcase them in a way that would reach a new audience. Along the way, we connect our customers with the people that are making their boots. We're up front and honest: it takes time to create these boots; over 100 hours goes into crafting each pair. We think if you value handcrafted products and are willing to wait, you deserve to see the steps involved in bringing them to life
Q
Who is the target customer?
A These boots are for anyone who wishes they knew a bit more about the shoes they have on right now. We believe that handmade is worth the wait and these boots are for people who believe the same. A pair of Fleece & Hide boots are designed to last you this season and the next and the next.
Q Where are the styles designed and made?
A
Everything is designed right here in Vancouver and we love to partner with local models, photographers and small businesses to bring all of our products to life.
The boots themselves are made in Mexico. We work with two groups of independent artisans to make our handcrafted boots. The first is a small group of weavers from the state of Chiapas. For the boots themselves, we work with a small family-run workshop in Leon, Mexico's shoemaking capital. This city's reputation is built around high-quality leather cowboy boots that they've been making since the 17th century. We work with the artisans here to sustain these traditions passed down from previous generations and channel them into our modern designs.
Q
Why is handcrafted product important to you?
A
We believe it's important to support the communities where our products are made. That's why for every sale we donate $5 to a non-profit based in Chiapas that supports the education of Indigenous children. This donation goes right back to the community where our textiles are made and empowers these children to be leaders in their communities.
Q
What is the price range for Fleece & Hide designs?
A Our men's and women's handcrafted boots are available for $250, which includes free delivery or the option of local drop-off for anyone in the Vancouver area.
Q Lastly, where can people check them out?
A You can head to our website at Fleeceandhide.com