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Portuguese brand TUAS reinvents ballet flats

Mar 17, 2026 Portugal

The recently launched Portuguese brand TUAS has released two styles of ballet flats, designed to transcend seasonal trends and embody the emotion and individuality of every woman who wears them

Launched on November 2025, TUAS made its debut in the ballet flat segment with two models: characterised by their square toe, the Julia and Louise ballet flats are crafted with time, care, and intention because true luxury lies in what endures and creation with purpose. They are made to order and embody the emotion and individuality of every woman who wears them.

Ana Sofia Silva, 35, and Inês Melo e Castro, 28, founded the new Portuguese brand while they were studying for a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in France. Their interactions with people from different cultures inspired them “to want to create a brand”.

Given Portugal’s tradition and reputation in the footwear sector, it seemed like a natural choice to them, even though they had no background in fashion – Sofia is an engineer and Inês is an economist. Despite the comeback of ballet flats at the start of the decade, the pair felt there was a gap in the market for “styles with a design capable of transforming a woman’s look”. They wanted their designs to be “comfortable, colourful and eye-catching”.

“Flat shoes are among the most comfortable around, but there’s still this perception that bold designs have to have high heels”, so the founders wanted “to break away from that idea and show that flat shoes can be different and less boring”.

Once their course finished in 2022, they returned to Portugal and immediately began looking for production partners to help them turn their idea, which they had sketched out on paper while studying in France, into reality.

The right partners to bring the project to fruition were found by them in Oliveira de Azeméis, “at the heart of a region where the art of craftsmanship is steeped in history, heritage and the skilled hands of those who understand the value of detail”.

The first two designs, named Julia and Louise, feature a square toe, curved interior and red leather sole. Every detail has been carefully considered to provide greater comfort for women while exploring new ideas. There is more to come, but the founders refuse to follow a purposeless, time-based calendar.

Both models have the same design; the difference lies in the materials used. Some are made entirely of leather, while others have a leather interior and a different fabric exterior. Both models combine fabrics and colours to showcase the potential of a flat design.

The brand operates on a made-to-order basis, so there is no stock. Everything is made to order with time and care. “We design with care, produce with conscience and create with time. We believe that true luxury lies in what endures, and that each pair should carry the meaning, emotion and individuality of the person wearing them”.

The first models are available to pre-order on the TUAS website.

Image Credits: apiccaps.pt

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