Values_Crafts
Design & Prototyping Studio | Brussels.
The KINAMANIA design studio is based in Brussels and is the creative nucleus where Kristina passionately conceptualizes, develops, and brings to life her iconic shoe styles, workshop leather bags and accessories and bespoke projects.
In this dynamic space, innovation converges with craftsmanship as Kristina channels her artistic vision into each meticulously crafted design.
The Shoe Makers We Trust.
The [SOFT LINE] crafted by Naji & his team | Lebanon.
"I believe in people, and it is only when I met a talented and soulful artisan named Naji that I decided to launch a line of shoes - handmade in Lebanon, my homeland. This project was launched after the August 4, 2020 Beirut explosion, as a gesture of support for artisans." Kristina
Naji began working in shoe factories in Lebanon at the age of 14 during the Lebanese Civil War. In a poignant choice, his mother opted for him to work to keep him from joining the conflict. Today he is a 360 artisan, a true shoe magician. Soulful. Meticulous. Passionate. Dedicated.
The production of the Kinamania Soft* line of shoes now helps him and his family sustain themselves economically. The Soft line styles are made from Lebanese raw materials : leathers & outsoles.
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*The Soft Line are signature shoes that are made to fit like a second skin : shoe styles that are lightweight, flexible and colorful.
The [ATELIER LINE] crafted by Alexander, Luciano & their teams | Portugal.
When it comes to footwear, the Portuguese have a heritage that traces back to the 12th century.
For the ATELIER lines of shoes, Kristina chose to partner with a family-owned sole factory led by Alexander (left) and a family-owned shoe factory led by Luciano (right). A dream team both together :)
Both factories have been employing generations of skilled craftsmen since the 1980s.
The production of the Kinamania Atelier* line of shoes is made in Portugal with European leathers.
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*The Atelier Line are elegant shoes with a twist of boldness and a particular emphasis on crafting iconic derbies, oxford shoes and booties.
Empowering Craft-Communities.
Palestinian Refugee Women with Inaash.
We collaborate with craft-based NGOs whenever possible. The aim being to put crafts in the spotlight and simultaneously contribute to the empowerment and well-being of communities.
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For sandal style THE ORIENT we partnered with NGO INAASH, an association who's mission is to maximize employment opportunities for female Palestian artisans living in refugee camps in Lebanon.
Syrian Refugee Women with The Ana Collection.
For sandal style THE ALEPPO we partnered with THE ANA COLLECTION, an organization that launched a doll collection to aid Syrian war refugees since the beginning of the country’s conflict in 2011.
Collaborating with Contemporary Artists.
The collaborations are limited-edition shoes that tell the story of contemporary crafts and artists.
Materials & Carbon Impact.
“There is no established hierarchy of sustainability for materials in the fashion industry, and very limited comparable data (eg Life Cycle Analysis). What is clear is that every single material on the market today has some sort of trade off and impact on the planet and a mixture of preferred materials is needed going forward.” READ MORE
For now, we chose to work with farm animal leather hides treated in tanneries that are certified for their environmentally friendly working methods and outsoles made-to-order for our productions to minimize waste.
We source our materials directly from the country of production and employ intelligent shipping practices, optimizing packaging to minimize both carbon emissions and costs for our customers.
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We are on a continuous journey towards a more sustainable tomorrow, making efforts within our jurisdiction to seek innovative processes and materials that would actively reduce our carbon impact.
Because, just like our designs, our commitment to a sustainable future is ever-evolving.
