Portugal’s Elite High Heel Heritage
Portugal has quietly revolutionized the luxury footwear industry, transforming from a manufacturing hub into a creative powerhouse that produces some of the world’s finest high heels. The country exports 95% of its 85 million annual shoe production, generating €2 billion in revenue while maintaining generations-old artisanal traditions combined with cutting-edge innovation. Portuguese high heels now grace the feet of royalty, celebrities, and fashion icons worldwide, representing an exceptional blend of traditional craftsmanship, premium materials, and accessible luxury pricing.
The Portuguese footwear industry has achieved remarkable growth, increasing production by 34.3% over the past decade while other European manufacturers declined. This success stems from the country’s strategic pivot toward quality over quantity, with master craftsmen in regions like Felgueiras, São João da Madeira, and Guimarães creating handcrafted heels that rival Italian luxury at more accessible price points. The industry’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and ethical production has established “Made in Portugal” as a mark of excellence in international luxury markets.
1. Luís Onofre
Luís Onofre represents the pinnacle of Portuguese high heel artistry, worn by Michelle Obama, Queen Letizia of Spain, and Princess Victoria of Sweden. Founded in 1999 by Luís Onofre, this third-generation family business traces its heritage to 1938 when his grandparents established their footwear workshop in Oliveira de Azeméis.
The brand’s handcrafted stilettos, kitten heels, and luxury pumps range from €342 to €687, featuring exquisite leathers, cork integration, and traditional Portuguese construction techniques. Popular collections include the Aurora Silver Kitten Heel (€503) and Gleam Gold Heeled (€676), each representing approximately 300 pairs per collection to maintain exclusivity.
Luís Onofre’s manufacturing process combines the finest Portuguese leather with skilled artisanal techniques, creating shoes that have earned international recognition including contracts with luxury brands like Jimmy Choo and Marni. The brand exports 97% of its production to over 30 countries, with flagship stores on Lisbon’s prestigious Avenida da Liberdade.
2. Alameda Turquesa
Alameda Turquesa has revolutionized luxury footwear with its signature pom pom and tassel designs, earning celebrity endorsements from Kylie Jenner, Olivia Palermo, and Sofia Vergara. Founded in 2012 by mother-daughter duo Ana Correia and Carolina Santos, the brand evolved from viral pom pom bracelets into internationally acclaimed footwear.
Their high heel collection features the Prudence Heels with flower adornments and Clarissa Sandals, typically priced between $350-$600. Each pair is handcrafted in northern Portugal using premium leathers with signature trims hand-applied by skilled artisans. The brand’s made-to-order approach ensures limited quantities and exceptional quality.
FootwearNews named Alameda Turquesa “rising stars” and their designs have appeared at luxury retailers including Harrods, Selfridges, and Saks Fifth Avenue. The brand’s sustainable approach, bold colors, and innovative textures have established them as leaders in contemporary luxury footwear.
3. Carlos Santos
Carlos Santos represents 82 years of Portuguese shoemaking excellence, recently expanding into women’s luxury footwear after decades of men’s shoe dominance. Founded in 1942 in São João da Madeira, this prestigious brand employs rare Goodyear Welted construction with 80% handcrafted production.
The women’s collection features luxury high heels priced from €700 to €3,750, with baby crocodile skin representing the premium tier. Each pair requires over 200 skilled artisanal operations, with machines playing only secondary roles to master craftsmen who maintain traditional techniques passed down through generations.
Carlos Santos shoes are available internationally across Germany, France, Netherlands, Japan, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, and the USA. The brand’s expansion into women’s footwear represents a major strategic evolution, bringing their legendary craftsmanship to feminine designs that maintain the same luxury standards that have defined their reputation for over eight decades.
4. Fly London
Fly London pioneered the alternative footwear aesthetic while maintaining Portuguese manufacturing excellence. Created in 1994 and produced by Kyaia company near Guimarães, this brand specializes in cork platform technology that provides superior comfort and sustainability.
Their high heel collection features distinctive wedge heels and platform sandals ranging from $152-$260, with popular models including the Yaz, Bezo, and Bilu series. The signature cork midsole construction offers natural shock absorption, temperature insulation, and lightweight comfort that sets Portuguese footwear apart from conventional designs.
Fly London’s “Don’t Walk, Fly” philosophy emphasizes disruptive design with chunky, bold aesthetics that incorporate Y2K influences and retro styling. Present in 57 countries, the brand combines Portuguese craftsmanship with innovative materials like premium leathers finished with expensive oils and waxes.
5. NAE Vegan Shoes
NAE (No Animal Exploitation) revolutionizes Portuguese footwear through sustainable vegan high heels, founded in 2008 with a commitment to environmental sustainability and ethical production. This pioneering Portuguese brand manufactures all footwear in certified factories across Portugal using innovative materials like Piñatex pineapple leather, cork, organic cotton, and recycled PET bottles.
NAE’s high heel collection ranges from $55 to $106, featuring pumps, block heels, kitten heels, and platforms made without any animal products. Their signature materials include OEKO-TEX certified microfiber, ecological microsuede, and Portuguese cork – positioning them as leaders in sustainable luxury footwear.
The brand’s 15-year commitment to vegan philosophy has earned international recognition, with distribution across Europe and North America. NAE demonstrates how Portuguese craftsmanship can adapt to modern environmental consciousness while maintaining traditional quality standards. Their innovative approach to materials like pineapple waste and recycled plastics showcases Portugal’s leadership in sustainable footwear manufacturing.
6. Josefinas
Josefinas revolutionized women’s footwear by prioritizing comfort without compromising style, earning endorsements from Meghan Markle, Chiara Ferragni, and Gloria Steinem. Founded in 2013 by former ballerina Filipa Júlio and Sofia Oliveira, the brand was named after Filipa’s grandmother.
While primarily known for ballet flats, Josefinas offers selected low-heeled options and kitten heel variations priced from $179 to $3,300 for their world-famous topaz-adorned “Blue Persian Salt” collection. Each pair is entirely handcrafted by master shoemakers in São João da Madeira, requiring up to 16 hours of skilled labor.
The brand’s collaboration with Gloria Steinem for Women for Women International demonstrates their commitment to women’s empowerment. Their flagship store on NYC’s Elizabeth Street and global presence in over 150 countries showcase Portuguese craftsmanship’s international appeal.
7. Foreva
Foreva represents accessible luxury within Portuguese footwear, founded in 1984 and acquired by Kyaia Group in 2005. Based in Guimarães with additional facilities in Paredes de Coura, Foreva specializes in timeless, sophisticated high heels that reinvent classic styles with modern comfort.
Their collections emphasize stable pricing and quality upgrades, positioning between mass market and luxury segments. With over 60 stores across Portugal including Azores and Madeira, Foreva demonstrates the breadth of Portuguese footwear excellence available to diverse consumer markets.
The brand’s integration within Portugal’s largest footwear group provides access to advanced manufacturing techniques and sustainable practices while maintaining traditional craftsmanship values that define Portuguese shoemaking heritage.
8. Azine Footwear
Azine Footwear embodies Portuguese family shoemaking traditions, founded in the 1960s by Alice and Manuel in Oliveira de Azeméis and revitalized in 2020 by granddaughter Catarina. This 60+ year family workshop maintains traditional handcrafted methods while incorporating contemporary design elements.
Their high heel collections utilize premium Italian leather combined with Portuguese craftsmanship, creating artisanal pieces that reflect “soul and heritage know-how.” The brand’s positioning emphasizes heritage-focused production with premium pricing that reflects the intensive hand-labor involved.
Azine’s revival demonstrates how Portuguese footwear traditions continue evolving, with younger generations bringing fresh perspectives while respecting time-honored techniques that have defined Portuguese shoemaking excellence for decades.
Portuguese footwear excellence transcends geography
Portugal’s footwear industry has achieved remarkable transformation, evolving from a manufacturing base into a creative powerhouse that produces some of the world’s finest high heels. The combination of skilled artisanal traditions, innovative materials, and strategic pricing has established Portuguese high heels as formidable competitors to Italian and Spanish luxury footwear.
The industry’s focus on sustainability, ethical production, and skilled craftsmanship ensures that Portuguese high heels will continue gaining international recognition. From royal endorsements to celebrity red carpets, Portuguese footwear demonstrates that exceptional quality and accessible luxury can coexist, creating a compelling value proposition for discerning consumers worldwide.
These ten Portuguese high heel options represent the breadth and depth of the country’s footwear excellence, each offering unique approaches to luxury, comfort, and style while maintaining the traditional craftsmanship values that have made “Made in Portugal” a mark of distinction in international luxury markets.
Create your shoe collection at www.portugalshoes.com/create-your-collection now!
