World Footwear

Interview

Edvin Prençe, President of ProEksport: towards a more value-added footwear industry in Albania

Premium ContentJan 20, 2026 / Albania
We spoke to Edvin Prençe, President of ProEksport, the official representative body for Albania’s clothing and footwear industry. Among other topics, we discussed ProEksport’s role in the country, the importance of multi-country partnerships and the current state and future of the sector in Albania

New Generation: Edgar Ferro from Fernando Ferro & Irmão

Jan 6, 2026 / Portugal
Edgar Ferro, who has a degree in Business Management, is the second generation to take the helm at the family-owned technology company founded by his father and uncle 25 years ago

Dr Luis Zugno: Leather Naturally plays a key role in raising awareness about leather

Premium ContentJan 5, 2026 / Netherlands
We spoke to Dr Luis Zugno, Chair of Leather Naturally, a non-profit organisation dedicated to leather education and the promotion of compliant, regulated leather manufacturing. Our conversation focused on the organisation’s role in the industry and current debates surrounding leather

New Generation: meet Mariana Monteiro from a.li.ás

Dec 22, 2025 / Portugal
Having initially studied Communication Design, Mariana Monteiro transferred to the School of Arts and Design to pursue a more digitally oriented education. She is now in charge of communication at the sustainable shoe brand a.li.ás

Marijn Verschure from CAST: rethinking the future of showrooms and fairs

Premium ContentDec 1, 2025 / Netherlands
We spoke to Marijn Verschure, the General Manager at CAST, a trading platform for footwear, sport and fashion. Among other topics, we discussed CAST’s role in the footwear ecosystem and the future of permanent showrooms and trade fairs

Gustavo Gonzalez-Quijano, from COTANCE: we are working on the regulatory areas that will shape future markets

Premium ContentNov 24, 2025 / Belgium
We spoke to Gustavo Gonzalez-Quijano, who has been the Secretary General at COTANCE for more than 30 years. We discussed some of the critical issues around the European leather industry, including traceability standards and material metrics

Consumer-to-Consumer and a big shift in work culture: how Nicoline Van Enter (Footwearology) sees AI

Nov 17, 2025 / World Footwear Voices
During the 22nd UITIC Congress in Shanghai in September, we had the opportunity to speak with Nicoline Van Enter, CEO and founder of Footwearology, who shared some valuable insights about AI with us. Watch the video with the converstation now

Christian Decker (DESMA): New technologies require a mindset shift

Nov 10, 2025 / World Footwear Voices
During the 22nd UITIC Congress in Shanghai back in September, we had the opportunity to talk with Christian Decker, CEO of DESMA, who shared with us some great insights about technology and innovation. Watch it now

New Generation: João Marques from Marqsol

Oct 21, 2025 / Portugal
João Marques, who has a technology specialisation in management, is the second generation to lead Marqsol, a footwear components company based in Portugal

Terry Boyle from Trove: regulation is shifting in favour of recommerce

Premium ContentOct 6, 2025 / United States
In the second part of his interview, Terry Boyle, CEO at Trove, discussed how regulatory changes in the United States and the European Union are influencing the recommerce business, particularly for fashion and footwear brands

Terry Boyle from Trove: resale as an integrated revenue channel for footwear

Premium ContentSep 29, 2025 / United States
As the resale economy continues to gain momentum, brands are increasingly exploring in-house recommerce channels. In this first part of his interview, Terry Boyle, CEO at Trove, shared his view on how footwear businesses can integrate and benefit from resale channels

Daphne Wattiez from AKVO: when people, materials and time are valued, the result is more meaningful

Premium ContentSep 18, 2025 / France
We spoke to Daphne Wattiez, the Founder of AKVO. This unisex footwear brand employs artisanal craftsmanship and bio-sourced materials, inspired by the Mediterranean beauty. Among other topics, we talked about the brand’s challenges and her perspective on the industry

New Generation: meet Carlos Teixeira from Joseli

Sep 8, 2025 / Portugal
He has a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, but the family business spoke louder when the moment came to choosing a career path. Carlos Teixeira is the second generation to lead the Portuguese footwear company Joseli

Cristiano Magnoni from Crimagno Earth: we design with purpose

Premium ContentAug 29, 2025 / Switzerland
We spoke with Cristiano Magnoni, founder of Crimagno Earth, to learn more about his footwear venture. As his goal is not simply to create footwear, but rather to rethink what shoes can be, we explored his industrial approach to design, use of sustainable materials, local sourcing and his perspective on the sector

Dr. Tatjana Spahiu: digital technologies are reshaping the footwear industry

Premium ContentJul 30, 2025 / Albania
We spoke to Dr. Tatjana Spahiu, an Associate Professor at the Polytechnic University of Tirana, to understand the current influence of digital technologies and how they will change the future of the footwear industry. Our conversation focused on key areas such as sustainability, skills development and young talent training
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