Victoria Shoes' great adventure begins with a love story that has captivated millions of people in more than 50 countries over the past 109 years.
In 1915, in a small village in La Rioja, northern Spain, Gregorio conceived the idea of creating a sneaker, which he named after his first love, his wife Victoria.
In an effort to improve the traditional espadrilles, which were produced with a rubber sole at the time, the newly invented vulcanized technique was incorporated in the 1950s. It was then that the iconic Victoria canvas sneaker was born, becoming the symbol of an entire generation in the 1980s.
In 2004, the brand began a new chapter with the international expansion of its products. Today, 75% of its production is exported to over 50 countries, carrying its historical legacy across the globe. Thanks to its traditional manufacturing methods and a strong commitment to innovation, design, and sustainability, Victoria Shoes is experiencing substantial growth both in Spain and internationally, especially in France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Korea, and the USA.
In recent years, the fashion industry has become one of the most polluting sectors on the planet, and time is running out.
What has hardly changed is the traditional way of producing sneakers: by hand, one by one, and mostly in La Rioja, just as it was done in 1915. For Victoria, being environmentally friendly is not an option—it's the way business is done from the very beginning.
The milestones achieved with the Victoria project, "Dear World," are reviewed and updated annually to ensure minimal impact on the environment.
The Victoria "V" has adorned the sneakers almost since the brand’s inception, with the oldest example still in existence dating back to 1977. This industrial model, signed in Logroño on 8 September 1977, features a sneaker design from that era, certifying that Victoria was the first brand to use this distinctive decorative element on footwear nearly 50 years ago.
The distinctive smell that lingers in Victoria sneakers has an interesting history. If you open one of their boxes, you'll notice a strong strawberry aroma. This was not by pure coincidence; it traces back to the Spanish post-war period when resources were scarce, and people had to be resourceful.
At that time, the natural rubber used in the sneakers was in short supply. In response, Victoria began recycling tires to create soles. Due to the strong odor of the tires, the company used a strawberry-scented perfume to mask the smell, and that signature fragrance has remained a trademark ever since.
In 1985, Victoria registered its two-tone "V" signature, and almost 40 years later, the brand is paying homage to this with a collection of retro sneakers inspired by its 1980s models. Originally designed as a men’s line, the collection has since evolved into Victoria’s urban/sports brand, becoming especially popular with fans of genderless fashion.
