2012: My path to barefoot
Our whole story began unexpectedly in 2012, when I became a mother and naturally wanted only the best for my child. Many experienced mothers will agree that choosing the right first shoes is a challenging task.
While looking for the best option, I discovered barefoot. The concept immediately appealed to me, so I researched it further and bought my daughter her very first pair of barefoot shoes. I was excited to see how quickly and naturally she started walking, which made me want to try barefoot shoes myself. My curiosity about the experience, along with my own health concerns, drove me to explore barefoot footwear. Since childhood, I have had grade III scoliosis, hypermobility, and flat feet. They used orthotic heel inserts to “balance” these issues, but it was simply a complex mix of imperfections in my musculoskeletal system.
Visible results with barefoot
I managed these diagnoses in my childhood through regular exercise and swimming, including several years of competitive swimming. While my spine never hurt, I began to experience foot pain as I got older. The pain was so severe that each morning, I had to sit on the bed for a while to warm up my legs before I could stand on them. A few years ago, if someone had told me, that adult flat feet weren’t a lost cause and that the arch could be raised, I wouldn’t have believed it.I started wearing barefoot shoes when I was 32, and the results were almost immediate:
- The foot pain disappeared after a month of wearing barefoot shoes.
- My arch began to rise
2017: First prototypes
That’s when I realized how much I wanted stylish barefoot shoes. However, there was one, quite fundamental catch – decent, elegant and well-made barefoot shoes simply did not exist. My desire was so intense that,sometime in 2017, I decided to create them myself and start my own barefoot shoe brand!
In the summer of 2017, I began exploring barefoot shoe production more deeply, studying shoe design theory, and researching the market. I dedicated a lot of time to the initial phase, conducting extensive research in Slovakia and the Czech Republic (perhaps you were part of it, for which I’m grateful :-). I knew exactly what I wanted, so I began searching for reliable partners. This was a particularly challenging task because no one took me seriously - shoemakers and designers lacked experience with barefoot shoes and their production.
The first designs and prototypes revealed the reality of the industry, showing me that things wouldn't be as easy as I had imagined. Nonetheless, we invested a great deal of energy and money into the project, and I remained very determined. I then began searching for a manufacturer who could meet my quality standards for our new barefoot shoes. We were committed to local production, and for a time, we successfully achieved that goal.
2019: Launch of the e-shop
In 2019, we launched our first e-shop, and we’re quite proud of it. It might sound unbelievable now, but back then, I personally handled all customer communications and oversaw every detail myself. We were finally able to move the boxes from the living room to a warehouse and streamline the ordering process. This was a major step that greatly simplified our work, and we were thrilled to see the number of orders continue to grow.
2021: The first SHAPEN store
In 2021, we opened our first store in Karlova Ves, Bratislava. This was a major milestone for us, marking the beginning of our growth and increase in our team size. For the first time, we had a space where customers could visit, see our models, and try them on. Today, we have a new facility in the heart of Bratislava, located in the Eurovea shopping center
2022: Transfer of production from Slovakia to Portugal
Slovak shoemaking did not meet the level of quality I had envisioned. Unable to meet our expectations, we decided to move our production abroad. With the transfer of production, we planned a new collection and initiated a crowdfunding campaign to support the development of new models of stylish sneakers and boots. With your support, we raised the necessary funds in record time to create some of the most stylish sneakers on the market. Our campaign became the most successful in Slovakia, with collected orders totaling 96 thousand euros. This achievement provided us with the courage and motivation to keep moving forward.
Following a thorough market analysis, I decided to relocate production to Portugal. Portugal proved to be a hub for high-quality shoemaking in Europe and met all our requirements. Additionally, we produce some of our models in Poland, which has demonstrated excellent quality and reliability.
2024: New e-shop and brand refresh
After years of hard work and countless shoes that have perfectly complemented many outfits, I’m confident that barefoot footwear can be both stylish and modern.
At SHAPEN, we demonstrate this every day with orders from both women and men who want to stay trendy while prioritizing their health. Our SHAPEN team has grown, and we continuously introduce new models and designs. We now have customers in over 75 countries across all continents. We have recently launched a new e-shop and redesigned our brand to bring SHAPEN’s barefoot shoes even closer to global fashion trends.
However, our journey doesn’t stop here. We have exciting plans and challenges ahead, and I’m looking forward to them with great anticipation. SHAPEN brings elegance, style, and health not only to Slovakia but to the entire world, which fills me with immense pride. I want to thank each and every one of you for being a part of SHAPEN; your support enables us to grow and build this incredible community.
With gratitude, Mia ❤️
