Zapateria is the Philippines’ first creative hub for footwear design and development that aims to foster the industry’s new generation of independent shoemakers.
Zapateria envisions to make the country an international destination known for its globally competitive design craft and workmanship in footwear making. It serves as a center for creativity and ingenuity expressed through the practice of great craftsmanship.
Last November 2022, the Department of Trade and Industry National Capital Region Office (DTI-NCRO) and the Philippine Footwear Federation Inc. (PFFI), together with Zapateria, launched the 8th Filipino Footwear Design Competition to gather some of the most creative minds in showcasing the talents of the local footwear industry.
Zapateria is founded upon a 135-year legacy of craft, just as the Marikina’s shoe industry began in 1887. With five generations of shoemaking entrepreneurs scaling the tenure of the Philippine Shoe Capital, making a significant mark was inevitable. Although some may be amazed to learn that our love for shoes was actually sparked by a love story.
Filipino creativity makes waves in international metaverse NFT design competitionHypeX MetaSneaker Brawlas young designer-maker, Chad Tanutan, sparks interest with an ingenious footwear concept. Group 3’s “The Bay” landed a spot in the Top 16 semi-finalists round and is now up for the public vote to choose the grand winner. As of writing, the entry is leading second with 261 votes.
