Footwear
Top U.S. outlet reveals the Spanish souvenir turned luxury item—find out why everyone wants it
Washington Post journalist Andrea Sachs showcases the traditional footwear following a recent visit to Spain.

Spain is a country rich in traditions and customs and was one of the most visited countries in 2024 attracting more than 71 million travelers, trailing only France in global popularity.
Leaving any destination with a souvenir is a classic tradition but beyond the tacky fridge magnets and keychains available in city centre stalls, one momento caught the attention of Washington Post reporter as outlined by Andrea Sachs in her recent article.
During her visit to Mediterranean city of Valencia, she was particularly struck by a boutique shoe store where, with the assistance of a supervised class, one could create personalised espadrilles using favourite colours and decorative elements. This unique hand-made ‘DIY’ souvenir evoked a world of memories and the workshop offers guests the chance to sample local wines and snacks during the creation process of the espadrilles (also known as alpargatas on the east coast of Spain).
A modern day luxury item
Sachs explains that this particular type of footwear originated in the fields of Catalonia and was later popular with republican soldiers who fought in the Civil War and were also a favourite of iconic surrealist artist Salvador Dalí. In recent years, this particular style of footwear has become a global fashion accessory and can be commonly seen on prominent fashion catwalks. “In Spain, espadrilles are seen as iconic, authentic and almost folkloric item,” says Luis Moreno, founder of the company Handmade.
The article also highlights that a basic pair of espadrilles (alpargatas) for around 15 euros ($15.6) which is a relatively low price for the experience, and also satisfaction, of being able to make a unique souvenir yourself.
The shoes feature a sole made from esparto grass (or, failing that, jute), a type of grass that grows in dry climates. Local farmers saw the grass when mixed with water become a flexible substance that could also be used as raw material.
The major boom for the footwear came when artist Salvador Dalí began to travel around the country wearing this type of footwear. “It started originally as a trend in a small region of Catalonia but then grew in popularity thanks to Dalí,” explains Sofía del Valle, one of the Handmade employees. But the definitive impact came when the French designer Yves Saint Laurent added a wedge to the shoe in the 1970s. “The espadrille was further consolidated in the world of fashion. Between Dalí, Saint Laurent and Coco Chanel, who befriended the Catalan artist, “they turned the espadrile into a luxury item”.
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