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Portuguese footwear takes centre stage at Milan Fashion Week

Jul 7, 2026 Portugal

The London-based designer Saul Nash has joined TOWORKFOR to reinterpret the boat shoe, combining technical and luxury elements. This was presented at Milan Fashion Week

During Milan Fashion Week, London-based designer Saul Nash presented a style developed in partnership with the Portuguese brand TOWORKFOR as part of his Spring/Summer 2027 STANCE collection. The presentation took place at the Forza e Coraggio venue, one of the city’s oldest sports clubs, and marked Saul Nash’s second foray into footwear design.

Renowned for his creative approach centred on movement and his ability to blend sportswear with tailoring, Saul Nash has brought this same aesthetic to the world of footwear by reinterpreting the classic boat shoe. Produced entirely in Portugal, the model combines a knitted and suede upper with a drawstring-inspired lacing system, reflecting the fusion of the designer’s creative vision and Portuguese craftsmanship.

For Saul Nash, the desire to work with Portugal was immediate. “I am drawn to the quality and craftsmanship of Portuguese footwear. I was genuinely surprised to realise that even work and safety shoes have hand-stitched seams along the vamp”, says the designer.

Developed in partnership with TOWORKFOR, a Portuguese brand renowned for its expertise in professional and safety footwear, the model showcases the national industry’s versatility and ability to overcome demanding creative challenges by combining technical expertise, innovation, and high-quality craftsmanship.

“Working with TOWORKFOR was particularly interesting. The brand is best known for its safety and protective footwear, designed for demanding work environments. It was very stimulating to take one of its classic silhouettes and reinterpret it using lightweight materials and a design language that embodies our brand’s DNA”, Saul Nash emphasises.

This collaboration aligns with APICCAPS’ mission to bring leading international designers together with the Portuguese footwear industry, fostering dialogue between design, industrial capacity, and innovation. “These collaborations reflect our commitment to supporting designers by showcasing the excellence of our manufacturing capabilities, while highlighting the quality, versatility and innovative capacity of the Portuguese footwear industry”, says Cláudia Pinto, APICCAPS’ communications director.

“The materials used in the collections were developed as part of the BioShoes4All project, which reinforces the association’s commitment to research, innovation, and developing more sustainable solutions for the sector. Our close relationship with the designers throughout the creative and development process enables us to transform distinctive designs into high-quality products that meet market demands and stand the test of time”, she adds.

The Portuguese footwear industry exports over 90% of its production and is increasingly recognised internationally for its precision, innovation, and heritage of craftsmanship.

Image Credits: apiccaps.pt

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