Magrit – behind this enigmatic name hides one of the best (if not the best) shoe making houses of Spain. I have been an admirer for a while, but only recently more information became available (through the company’s website and online shop) to get a good overview of the shoes it offers.
Magrit is based in Elda and has been around since 1929. Along with Castañer, it has one of the longest track records and is one of the most respected names in the Spanish shoe industry. How to describe Magrit signature style? Proud, confident, glamorous, and timelessly sexy.
No matter who you are – the Queen of Spain (Doña Letizia is a loyal customer), an office worker, model, house wife, mother, doctor, intellectual, actress, blogger, socialite, civil servant, police officer, or kindergarten nanny, provided you can afford it (prices range from 200 to 600 Euros), Magrit will bring out your inner Grace Kelly.
Queen Letizia wearing Magrit. Image source: www.semana.es.
Magrit shoes are supposed to be an absolute dream to wear. The firm lays a huge emphasis on good construction and is extremely choosy with materials. I particularly like their use of of natural raffia in classically shaped shoes – a very refreshing simplicity. I love textures in shoes. They also use what the Spanish call “rejilla” ( a fine cotton and linen mesh that can be made sturdy without being too hard). Their leathers are said to be very high quality and they love mixing them up and combining them with other materials. They are also very fond of reptile prints and textures: personally I’m not a big fan, but they make them so well that even people like me are able to appreciate them.
All in all, Magrit‘s main asset is the good all-fashioned all-encompassing shoe making expertise. It’s not about a certain technique or a certain design philosophy: it’s about knowing women and knowing your craft inside and out.
The collection echoes features from many other great Spanish brands: the “braided” leather weave of Pons Quintana, the lace, stiletto and the double platforms of Menbur, the transparencies of Brenda Zaro, the jeweled detailing and other embellishments of Lola Cruz, RAS, and Paloma Barceló, the slender vertiginous heels of Pura López and Rebeca Sanver, the reptile prints of Ursula Mascaró. In short, Magrit has it all and then some.
If you have a specific need or an idea, you can go to Magrit Couture (the showroom is in Madrid at Principe de Vergara 56, 1º8) and order a personalized pair of shoes, choosing between a number of time-tested shoe molds and premium quality leathers.
Needless to say, I’m itching to find out how Magrit shoes feel. I hope they are really special! I can already appreciate how they look: here is a sampling of models that I liked best from what is currently being sold through their website:
Magrit Jane and Jenny models: lace over cotton and linen mesh, cork, and black satin. Heels: 12 cm (with 3 cm platform) and 4 cm.
Magrit Claudia: patent leather asymmetric pump, heel: 10 cm.
Magrit Dalia and Iris: a peep-toe double platform pump and pointy-toe sling back. Black raffia and leather. Hand-embroidery in fuchsia and turquoise. Heels: 12 cm (3 cm platform) and 4 cm.
Magrit Eleonor: rounded peep-toe satin pump in nude, “old reptile” print detailing, heel: 11 cm (1 cm platform).
Magrit Julia and Kely: light copper braided (trenzado) and natural raffia kitten-heel sling-backs. The Kely model has Swarovski crystals on a methacrylate disc at the front. Heels: 4 cm.
Magrit Marilyn: T-strap high-heel sandal with double ankle and instep fine leather straps. Vinyl sides and patent leather toecap. Back and heel covered in silver & black jacquard print. Heel height: 10 cm.
Magrit Patrice: metallic python print and vinyl peep-toe pump adorned with one large round Swarovsky crystal. Heel: 9 cm.
Magrit Lolita: reptile print ballet flats, slips on like a glove. Heel: 1 cm.
Magrit Rebeca: flat sandals with fine gold and reptile print straps and Swarovksi opal crystals embellishment.
All these shoes and many more (including bridal collections) can be purchased in Magrit‘s online shop, which ships worldwide (add the applicable customs charges and delivery). Magrit exports to 40 countries, so their shoes can also be found in high-end shoe retail locations around the world. Yoox carries them too, but the selection is very limited.
Stay tuned for updates on Magrit!
