September 2025, APICCAPS / CTCP

The Portuguese footwear industry has long been recognized for its craftsmanship, innovation, and resilience. Today, a new generation is stepping in, bringing with them fresh perspectives, creativity, and a determination to carry tradition into the future. This article features three young professionals who are taking their first steps in the sector, each with a unique background and vision.

Tiago Almeida, born in São João da Madeira, holds a master’s degree in economics and is the mind behind BAREBOUND, a new footwear brand that inspires people to "go further" while staying grounded.

Carlos Teixeira, with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, eventually chose to follow his roots, becoming the second generation to lead his family’s footwear company, Joseli.

Tom Daniel, originally from the Netherlands but raised in Portugal, studied management at ISEG in Lisbon. With a strong creative streak, he is now channeling his passion into shaping his path in the industry.

Together, their stories highlight not only the diversity of backgrounds that feed into Portugal’s footwear sector but also the shared ambition to build a future that balances heritage and innovation.

New Generation: Tiago Almeida from BAREBOUND

Was working in the footwear industry a natural choice?
No. Although both my parents are connected to the footwear industry, I never considered entering it myself. Joining the footwear industry was simply a consequence of setting up BAREBOUND.

How would you define your brand/project, and what makes it stand out in the market?
I would say that BAREBOUND is not just a barefoot footwear brand, but a movement for wellbeing and con-fidence. Our main goal is to ensure that people wear shoes that fit the shape of their feet and that they are proud of what they wear.We greatly value the sense of community and boldness of those who trust their instincts.

What have been the biggest challenges so far?
Changing the mindset and habits of a traditional industry to make it adapt to a more demanding and envi-ronmentally conscious public.

What advice would you give to a young person just starting out in the industry?
I’m not sure if I am the right person to offer advice, as I am still relatively new to this universe. But if there is one thing I have learnt over this time that I can recommend to young people, it’s to never stop studying and learning – new things are happening every day. On the other hand, they should think for themselves and never believe in limits. Just because something has never been done before doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

New Generation: Carlos Teixeira, Joseli

Was working in the footwear industry a natural choice?
Yes, it was something instilled in me from an early age. My parents own a footwear company, so I grew up surrounded by it. Although I’m interested in other areas, such as graphic design – I took my bachelor’s de-gree in this subject – I’ve always known that I would end up joining the family business. It was a natural pro-gression.

I have an academic background in Graphic Design, an area in which I have been interested since a young age. Over time, I felt the need to complement my creative foundation with more technical and specific knowledge, which is why I took a course in footwear modelling. I also studied languages, which I consider essential for effective communication in the international context of the footwear sector.

How would you define your brand or project, and what makes it stand out in the market?
Currently, our focus is on the international market. Although we have our own brands, I believe that, to grow them consistently, we need a dedicated structure with teams focused on areas such as development, mar-keting and communication. This is not currently our goal or representative of our operational model. We believe that the greatest potential lies in collaborating with international brands that already have strong, well-established projects on the market, where our company can make a difference. We add value through our ability to offer high-quality production solutions, flexibility, and close customer follow-up, ensuring that we can meet the creative, technical, and precision demands of each project.

What have been the biggest challenges so far?
The commercial side has been the biggest challenge. It’s an area in which I received no academic training or preparation, so a few years ago I had to teach myself.My parents had always worked with agents, and sud-denly I was put in charge of this area with no preparation. The pressure was high.At the time, the digital tools that make the process much easier today didn’t exist. Learning how to approach customers, make ini-tial contacts and present projects effectively was challenging. It involved a lot of effort, trial, and error.

The commercial side has been the biggest challenge. It’s an area in which I received no academic training or preparation, so a few years ago I had to teach myself.My parents had always worked with agents, and sud-denly I was put in charge of this area with no preparation. The pressure was high.At the time, the digital tools that make the process much easier today didn’t exist. Learning how to approach customers, make ini-tial contacts and present projects effectively was challenging. It involved a lot of effort, trial, and error.

Fortunately, nowadays, with access to specialised platforms and tools such as LinkedIn or segmented data-bases, it’s possible to obtain more detailed information about companies and contacts much more quickly – for example, you can find out who is responsible for the footwear development department, which makes this part of the job much more accessible and strategic.

What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out in this industry?
My main advice would be to surround themselves with people who have more experience in the industry. Much of the knowledge I acquired over time came not just from books or training, but also from conversati-ons with professionals who had many years of experience working in the sector. These conversations were vital in helping me to see issues from different perspectives and, above all, evolve. The footwear industry is demanding, but it’s also very rich in terms of shared knowledge, so it’s important to pay attention and learn from those who have come before us.

New Generation: Tom Daniel from Rivonti

How did your interest in leather goods come about?
I have always been a creative person. From design to carpentry, I have always had a project in mind. I wan-ted to create something that could be worn every day, and I got the idea for a travel bag from a YouTube video. After buying the leather and all the necessary tools, I produced a hand-sewn bag approximately a month later. This project turned into a hobby and, over time, a career. Since then, I’ve made many different bags, and I don't think I’ll ever stop.

What makes a good bag?
I’m a firm believer in timelessness, in terms of both the durability of the product and its design. A good bag should make you want to use it year after year. The first bag I designed is now five years old, and I still use it almost every day. The recipe for successful models such as Loewe’s Puzzle, Alaïa’s Teckle and the Birkin is clear: timelessness, originality, recognisability, and coherence with the brand’s identity.

How would you define your brand/project, and what makes it stand out in the market?
Portugal has a great deal of talent, history, and expertise in the production of leather goods. We produce for major international brands, so now is the time for us to make our mark. I want to create a product that stands out for its design and ‘architecture’. Many say that ‘everything has already been done’, but I comple-tely disagree. There’s a whole world of ideas to explore, that’s what inspires me.

What have been the biggest challenges so far?
At first, I decided to enter a sector where I had practically no knowledge. The initial challenges were all pro-duction-related: what are the right reinforcements? Which tools should be used? I had many other technical questions. Today, the challenges are different and are much more closely related to brand positioning, mar-keting and branding. As an extreme perfectionist, I want to push my abilities to the limit, which naturally brings many challenges. But none that can’t be overcome.

What advice would you give to a young person just starting out in the industry?
I see two types of people: those who create new brands and those who join existing ones. For the latter group, the best approach is to explore different roles until they find the one that suits them best. For those who create a brand, focus and planning are paramount. A brand only works when it reflects the founder’s personal vision. I invite all future founders to ask themselves two questions: ‘Do I really have the right profile for this?’ and ‘Can I offer something of value to the market?’ Creating a brand is possible, but it requires criti-cal thinking, persistence, and a clear vision.