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Portuguese footwear reaches the Oscars

Mar 23, 2026 Portugal

Portuguese footwear made an appearance on the Oscars red carpet when the actress and comedian Chloé Fineman wore shoes by Portuguese brand JJ Heitor to the Vanity Fair party

The model is the result of a collaboration between the label and American designer Daniella Kallmeyer. It was presented at New York Fashion Week last February as part of the BioShoes4All project. By wearing the model, Fineman, recognised for her work on Saturday Night Live, Search Party and High Fidelity, has further strengthened the presence of Portuguese footwear in high-profile international settings.

This spotlight comes alongside the growing presence of Portuguese footwear at major fashion weeks.

In New York, the sector presented a series of exclusive collaborations with Campillo, Daniella Kallmeyer, and Libertine, featuring shoes and bags developed in partnership with Mariano Shoes and Belcinto, JJ Heitor, and Helena Mar, respectively.

In Paris, Portuguese footwear once again walked the runway with Willy Chavarria, through the companies Luís Onofre and Mariano Shoes, thereby associating itself with international music stars such as Feid, Lil Mr. E, Latin Mafia Lunay, Mahmood, Mon Laferte, and Santos Bravos. Also in the French capital, it stood out with the duo Ernest W. Baker.

In Milan, Miguel Vieira showcased the best of Portuguese footwear as part of Portugal Fashion, while Davii appeared in partnership with the Portuguese brand Felmini.

These partnerships support the Portuguese footwear industry in strengthening its mission to integrate technical excellence, craftsmanship and national production capabilities directly into the creative process. At the same time, APICCAPS enables the development of new product categories, ensuring access to specialized know-how, technical resources, and production scale, always respecting each designer’s creative vision.

They go beyond traditional sponsorship, supporting projects from their runway debut to commercial viability and long-term potential. These collaborations “reflect our commitment to supporting designers with top-tier production capabilities, while also highlighting the depth and versatility of Portuguese footwear”, says Paulo Gonçalves, executive director of APICCAPS.

He added: “the materials used in the collections were developed as part of the BioShoes4All project, reinforcing APICCAPS’ focus on innovation, research, and the development of new materials. By working closely with designers throughout the entire creative and development process, we help transform bold ideas into high-quality products designed to last”.

The Portuguese footwear industry exports more than 90% of its production and is increasingly recognized internationally for its precision, innovation, and artisanal heritage.

Source and Image Credits: portugueseshoes.pt

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