„We are committed to fair production!“

In conversation with Bobbies PARIS

Bobbies has been creating shoes and leather accessories for men and women since 2010. The Parisian brand focuses on contemporary visions that combine minimalist sophistication and vintage influences to create an effortless, free and confident style. The Bobbies design studio is based in Paris, while the pieces are manufactured in Portugal and Spain. The Production is carried out in a responsible, authentic and sustainable way, combined with an ecological and social commitment.

Style and the Gang asked Alexis Maugey, co-founder of Bobbies, about the brand’s motivations and understanding of fair fashion.

Alexis Maugey, what exactly characterises the Bobbies designs?

Our designs embody an effortless elegance, offering timeless yet contemporary footwear that seamlessly integrates into everyday wardrobes. Each piece stands out through subtle details, from refined stitching to carefully selected materials, ensuring a sophisticated finish. While staying true to its signature aesthetic, we also embrace trends, reinterpreting them with a unique Parisian twist for a modern yet timeless appeal.

Which shoe trends do you think will be popular in the upcoming seasons?

In the coming seasons, we anticipate a strong focus on timeless silhouettes with a modern twist. Loafers will continue to dominate, with elevated details like embossed leather, metal hardware, and chunky soles bringing a fresh edge. Minimalist sneakers in refined materials will also remain essential, offering versatility and understated elegance. Boat shoes for men and women will also be very trendy.

At Bobbies, we’re committed to crafting pieces that embrace these trends while maintaining our signature Parisian aesthetic and artisanal quality.

Your shoes are manufactured in Portugal and Spain under fair and sustainable conditions. What goals are you pursuing?

Sustainability is an integral part of our design process. We have our own workshop, which enables us to monitor and maintain good working conditions.

We are committed to creating timeless, high-quality pieces while minimizing our environmental footprint. That’s why we partner exclusively with family-owned workshops in Portugal and Spain, ensuring fair working conditions and high-quality craftsmanship. Our goal is to create durable, responsibly made footwear by prioritizing ethical production, we uphold traditional expertise while continuously improving our sustainability efforts.

Educating consumers on the importance of fair production is an ongoing challenge.

Alexis Maugey

You invest a part of your turnover in charitable projects and foundations. What do you want to give back to society?

We carefully select projects that align with our values, focusing on environmental protection, social inclusion, integrating children into schools around the world but also supporting sick children by making their dreams come true. Each initiative must demonstrate a tangible impact and a clear ethical approach. Through these efforts, we aim to give back by supporting communities, promoting sustainability, and ensuring a more responsible fashion industry.

What challenges do you face due to your fair production conditions?

At Bobbies, we are committed to fair production conditions, ensuring ethical manufacturing and high-quality craftsmanship. However, this commitment comes with its own set of challenges. It requires us to strike a balance between ethical sourcing and offering competitive prices to our customers.

We carefully select our partners to ensure they align with our values and quality standards, which can sometimes limit our production capacity and slow down our supply chain. Unlike fast-fashion brands, we prioritize quality over speed, meaning our production cycles are longer. Since 2023, having our own production workshop has been a valuable asset in this approach. We also need to regularly recruit and train the most skilled artisans in the region as our teams continue to grow.

Committing to fair production often requires using more sustainable and traceable raw materials, such as leather from certified tanneries or eco-friendly alternatives. These materials come at a higher cost, which can impact margins or retail prices.

Educating consumers on the importance of fair production is also an ongoing challenge. Many people are used to low-cost fashion, and it’s crucial to explain why ethical practices result in better, more sustainable products. Despite these challenges, we firmly believe that fair production is the only way forward for a responsible fashion industry.

How do you get feedback from your consumers and keep in touch?

We engage with our customers daily through our stores, social media, and dedicated customer service. Their feedback is crucial in refining our designs and improving our development.

Informing our customers is essential. We focus on the transparency of materials, showcase our expertise on our website and social networks and highlight the impact of conscious choices to encourage more informed purchasing decisions.

What expectations do you have for the future? Do you think that consumers will honour fair production even more?

We believe that consumers are increasingly valuing quality over quantity, moving towards more conscious consumption. Ethical production is no longer a niche demand, it’s becoming an expectation. While fast fashion still dominates, we see a growing shift toward brands that offer timeless designs with responsible sourcing and production. This change is encouraging.

Do you have new plans and projects?

Integrating all our production in our own factory, obtaining ethical certifications and continuing to support associations that are close to our hearts.

Thank you very much for the interview!