The Story of Our Brand

In 2008, in the town of Mauléon-Licharre, Soule, Southwest France - the global epicentre of traditional espadrilles - two Frenchmen, Labat and Maisonnave, launched their espadrille brand, Art of Soule. Embracing Basque artisanal craftsmanship, the Art of Soule espadrilles are designed by the company, and manufactured by hand by the company’s team of French artisans. No design goes ahead without the artisans’ stamp of approval.

Remaining true to their roots, the Art of Soule team manufactures espadrilles in much the same way as they have been made for centuries. This demonstrates their commitment to authenticity and quality; a true heritage brand.

Art of Soule South Africa is the authorised re-seller of Art of Soule France for Southern and East Africa.

Whether coastal living, urban coffee runs, safari escapes or the winelands resonates with you, we have your perfect pair of espadrilles.

In the 1960s, Hollywood stars like Grace Kelly, Rita Hayworth, Lauren Bacall, and artists like Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali boldly embraced traditional espadrilles.

Recently, Kate Middleton and Anna Wintour unabashedly wore these timeless flat espadrilles, continuing to transform the espadrille shoe into a chic classic, where it has remained since.

The endorsement by icons, global exposure, and hard-working efforts of the Art of Soule team, have ensured that the traditional espadrille survives today notwithstanding competition from large-scale production lines across the globe.

In South Africa, we are proud to be able to promote the legacy & cultural significance of the Art of Soule espadrille and bring this French leisure product to South Africans.

Conscious

Art of Soule is not just about fashion but also about the future of our planet. With a zero-carbon emissions goal, and a 100% biodegradable model initiative, we position Art of Soule as an honest and resourceful brand.

Here at home, we are working towards partnering with Food & Trees for Africa to offset our carbon emissions from the import of espadrilles, through the planting of indigenous and fruit bearing trees as part of its Food Forests Initiative. Food & Trees for Africa is a leading NPO that addresses food security, environmental sustainability and greening.