World Footwear

Interview

Laura O’Brien: the Atlanta Shoe Market facilitates real business

Premium ContentApr 14, 2026 / United States
In today’s interview, we spoke to Laura O’Brien, who has been the Executive Director of the Atlanta Shoe Market trade fair for over forty years. We talked about the event’s history, role in the US footwear industry and its relevance to international players looking to enter the US market

New Generation: Pedro Pereira, Vapesol

Apr 13, 2026 / Portugal
Pedro Pereira is the second generation of his family to lead Vapesol. As the Portuguese footwear components company celebrates its 28th year of business, he continues his father’s legacy

Ramon Bourscheidt from Usaflex: consumers no longer accept trade-offs

Premium ContentMar 25, 2026 / Brazil
In today’s interview, we spoke to Ramon Bourscheidt, Export Manager at Usaflex, a Brazilian premium comfort footwear company. Among other topics, we discussed how consumers' expectations of footwear have evolved, and how these expectations vary across different regions of the world

Sandro Ferraro from Kenda Farben: chemical components, strategic footwear partners

Premium ContentMar 3, 2026 / Italy
We spoke to Sandro Ferraro, Global Commercial Director at Kenda Farben, an Italian manufacturer of chemical auxiliaries for the footwear industry. Our conversation focused on key areas related to chemical inputs in footwear, including regulation.

New Generation: Catarina Marques from Via Essenza

Feb 9, 2026 / Portugal
Catarina Marques, who has a degree in Arts and Design, created the Portuguese slow luxury brand Via Essenza following a 15-year period in LA after becoming a mother

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
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