Founder Beatriz de los Mozos on turning the humble espadrille into a global, all-season fashion brand.
When I think of a pair of espadrilles, I picture Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly on the Riviera, sun-kissed in effortless-chic outfits that feel just as modern today as they did in the 1950s. According to Beatriz de los Mozos, Founder of Flabelus, the espadrille has been around since the Roman Empire. It was first worn by peasants, fishermen, and soldiers in the Pyrenees. Historical records date it back to 1322 in Catalonia, where it was called espardenya, made from hand-braided rope and coarse cloth to withstand long days in the fields. By the mid-20th century, the espadrille had traveled from village markets to the fashion capitals of Europe. According to L’Officiel Ibiza, the simple jute shoe evolved from fishermen’s footwear into a chic seaside essential, ultimately reimagined by Yves Saint Laurent in the 1970s when he collaborated with the Spanish shoemaker Castañer to create the first wedge espadrilles. The result is a timeless icon that bridged craftsmanship and couture.
Today, de los Mozos is shaping the next chapter of that history. The sole of a traditional espadrille is made from braided jute or esparto rope, while the upper is typically made from canvas or cotton. Flabelus reinvents traditional Spanish espadrille techniques with a modern touch, using recycled bicycle-tire soles for comfort and durability. The signature Mary Jane style often features luxurious velvets and satins in bright, playful colors, adorned with sequins or beads. The modernized espadrille is just as fashionable in Soho, New York, and on the French Riviera.
Over just five years, Flabelus has turned a simple summer shoe into a stylish, comfortable, and versatile year-round footwear brand. Today, its collections are available in more than 700 stores across 54 countries, along with a growing network of company-owned boutiques in Spain, Italy, Paris, London, and New York. With continued expansion ahead, Flabelus is becoming a global brand that has carved out a distinctive niche — blending Spanish heritage craftsmanship with modern design and easy-to-wear style.
Chan-Danisi: Flabelus has grown tremendously in just five years, and you still own 100% of your company. What has been your strategy for funding growth, and do you see yourself opening up to investors?
de los Mozos: We’ve grown organically, reinvesting every gain. It’s been a challenge, but we made it thanks to efficiencies, creativity, and hard work. Independence gives me creative freedom — the ability to choose my team and protect our vision. That said, if a partner arrived who deeply aligns with our mission — someone who sees craftsmanship and purpose as core, not peripheral — I would consider opening that door. But the vision must remain ours.
Chan-Danisi: Flabelus has expanded from online roots to wholesale and company-owned stores in Spain, Paris, London, and now New York. How do you decide which cities are right for the brand, and what’s next after New York and Los Angeles?
de los Mozos: I always say, the cities choose us just as much as we choose them. We listen deeply — we talk with the women who walk into our boutiques, we ask where they come from, we observe their journeys, and we see how they interact with the pieces. Those insights shape our path. Paris and London felt natural because our community already brought us there through demand. New York was a dream — a city of reinvention. After New York and L.A., I’m drawn to Asia (Japan especially) and deepening in the Middle East. But always through listening — reading the map traced by our customers’ footsteps.
Chan-Danisi: You recently invested in building your own factory in Elche. What prompted that decision, and how does owning production affect your scaling while maintaining artisanal quality?
de los Mozos: Deciding to build in Elche was a crossroads moment. The factory owner informed me they were at capacity. I thought, Oh my God, what will I do? And then I instantly saw it: I needed to build that factory myself. I could have tried to offshore — take the path of speed. But I believed, and still believe, that growth should elevate your values, not erode them. Even if it’s been a huge challenge, owning the factory means we stay close to each stitch, each artisan, and safeguard the soul of every pair. It allows us to scale, but on our terms — to teach, to refine, to embed responsibility, to grow with integrity.
Chan-Danisi: Your soles are made from recycled bicycle tires, and you’ve spoken about experimenting with different materials. What innovations are you most excited about?
de los Mozos: I love bringing unexpected materials into play. Giving a second life to something like a bicycle tire — that would normally be waste — gives the shoe a story before it even touches fabric. We’re also working with organic velvets, bamboo liners, and exploring plant-based alternatives. Our biggest project right now is a QR certificate we’re developing to launch in early 2026. It will track the journey of each shoe from materials to travels, so our clients know exactly the DNA of their pair — even its carbon footprint. I envision an industry where transparency isn’t just a trend but a mindset.
Chan-Danisi: You shared a powerful vision of creating a business that serves as the foundation for a global NGO. How does Flabelus connect to that dream?
De los Mozos: Flabelus is more than shoes — it’s a vehicle for impact. The factory in Elche isn’t just a workshop; it’s a platform for training, cultural continuity, and empowering artisans. The next step is to replicate that model — local hubs where craftsmanship meets education, where creativity lives side by side with fair labor. I want each shoe to carry not just a story, but a purpose. Flabelus is the first milestone of a bigger picture.
Chan-Danisi: You’ve shifted from M&A law to AI sales and then to starting a global shoe brand; what’s something unexpected about you outside of work that people might not guess?
de los Mozos: People might not guess how deeply literary I am. I carry books everywhere, scribble ideas, imagine characters — that’s where my designs come from. Traveling with my friends and family is also a huge part of my inspiration; seeing new places, cultures, and ways of living always sparks ideas. Next, I hope to merge business with storytelling even more — maybe writing, curating experiences, building spaces worldwide that feel like walking into a novel. As an entrepreneur, I want to scale with heart, but scale big. As a person, I want to keep learning, dreaming, and remaining curious. Above all, I want to remain a close human being — someone you can easily speak to.
Chan-Danisi: Do you remember your first customer order?
de los Mozos: Yes, I remember it vividly. I personally delivered the first orders to our customers in Madrid — friends of friends. I invited them to try the shoes at my parents’ living room. They came! Seeing them try on the prototypes and watching their faces light up sparked something magical — it was the beginning of a real connection. I knew then I was onto something. That personal touch taught me early on how important it is to listen, observe, and engage with our community. Today, Flabelus has grown into a global brand, but we never lose that connection. Whether it’s in our stores, through our social media, or by hearing directly from our customers, we still make sure every woman feels seen, heard, and part of the Flabelus story.
Chan-Danisi: Any advice for startup founders?
de los Mozos: Let intuition guide you, but root it in action. Don’t wait for the perfect moment — start. Listen to your customers, stay humble, pivot when needed. Hold your values close because that’s your anchor. And above all, believe in your story — because people will buy into that before they buy the product.