ZIYP: Anita, can you tell us something about the brand a shoo? How did it come about?
Anita: We have been operating since 1991. Soon, we will celebrate 25 years of our work in the trade. We are pleased to note that this is a family business, a kind of family tradition, we have created a shoo from scratch. Soon, we will celebrate 25 years of our work in the trade. We are pleased to note that this is a family business, a kind of family tradition. We create fashion footwear according to traditional methods, using only natural materials. Our clients are mainly women, but that was not our decision. Just as men have one or two pairs of so called ‘finer’ shoes, women love to have a pair of shoes for each outfit. They feel best when everything is fully harmonised and therefore they come more often (it is different abroad because men there like to have several pairs of handmade shoes made to measure).

ZIYP: When we happen to buy shoes that are our ‘perfect’ fit, we often say ‘as if they were made for us? ‘So what does it feel like to have shoes that are made according to your foot?
Anita: Many of our clients are surprised when they put on our shoes that we have designed just for them; that feeling to have a shoe made by their feet and designed to suit their own requirements is completely unknown to them. The shoes are comfortable, fit perfectly and unique.

ZIYP: How is a quality designed shoe in your trade created in the first place?
Anita: It all starts by taking measurements and a foot analysis whilst selecting the best model shoe. This is followed by the modelling and production of cutting parts (similar to sewing clothes), followed by the merger of cutting parts in a common unit. The shoe is put on a mould and must remain there for some time in order for all inbuilt reinforcements to dry well. After removing the shoe from the mould, finishing touches are added and a final check is carried out. To create one pair of shoes, it takes from 3-7 days (depending on the model and feet).

ZIYP: What is the secret of survival with manual labour?
Anita: The secret is always the same: Quality of make, an individual approach to each client and design.

ZIYP: Is there a future for Zagreb shoe making trades?
Anita: Innovation... is a necessity! For example, take a look at our new product Shootacchi (Šutaki). This is a traditional peasant shoe with high heels.... Since I have been modelling shoes for many years, that experience in addition to knowledge of material processing was applied so that the use of original techniques in making peasant shoes was used with high-heeled shoes. The product is very modern and beautiful and has sparked great interest. The inspiration for a new kind of product was found in the cultural heritage of Croatian women wearing festive peasant sandals known as žutaki, typical of Zagreb and villages under the Sljeme area.

ZIYP: How much do handmade shoes cost in Europe, and how much in Croatia?
Anita: Prices abroad are appropriate for the amount of work that goes into the creation of a single pair of shoes. Prices range from 1,000-2,000 euros. Of course, there are individuals in Croatia for whom money is no object, but generally it is impossible to achieve that here because the budget of our clients is much smaller. 980 through to 2700kn is the price range; depending on the material, model and trim (crystals that are hand-stitched on the shoe).