Making a Givia
Nestled in the charming town of São João da Madeira in Portugal, Anonymous Copenhagen work with artisans who are internationally renowned and dedicated to shoemaking craftsmanship.
Crafting a pair of our iconic Givia’s is carried out scrupulously by hand. Learn all about each of the steps in the comprehensive manufacturing proces.
Cutting materials
All anonymous Copenhagen’s shoes have they own unique shoe pattern and so does Givia. As with all our styles, we also carefully select what upper leather to use for Givia. After the upper leather is selected and organized for a pair of Givia’s, it is cut by hand using the shoe pattern. The same process is repeated with the leather lining.
Preparing cuts
Each shoe pattern includes multiple unique pieces. With Givia the front pieces are being reduced in thickness, then folded and hammered manually by hand, strap by strap. The heel piece edges are getting scarved to enhance shaping. Finally, all pieces are being organized in groups.
Stitching
Quality is at the core in Anonymous Copenhagen shoes. We strive to deliver high quality products that, with the right maintenance, last. Overproduction significantly contributes to climate change and, unlike many fast fashion brands, we produce only what’s requested by our clients and own stores. The few products, that are not sold via own channels, are sold through partners. This timely and thorough process secure an absolute minimum of waste.
Want to learn more about our materials, quality & how to care for your products? Check out Materials, Quality & Care
Heels & insoles covering
The already prepared patterns for the insole and heel parts are glued with a water-based glue and shaped on the heels and insoles. The heels are uniquely developed for Givia. Once the insoles is prepared, they are then applied to the lasts.
Heels & insoles covering
The already prepared patterns for the insole and heel parts are glued with a water-based glue and shaped on the heels and insoles. The heels are uniquely developed for Givia. Once the insoles is prepared, they are then applied to the lasts.
Attaching heels & soles
The shape of the model is determined by the last that has been uniquely developed for the model. It’s in this process, the Givia’s really begin to take shape.
The upper pieces, that now contains all the turned and stitched straps, are now being shaped separately, and then the pieces are applied on the lasts together with the buckle straps. The buckle straps are glued and stamped to the bottom side of the insole and then being shaped a second time by a nozzle closing machine.
Attaching heel & sole
The bottom of the upper pieces are being prepared for sole mounting by removing redundant leather to ensure straight and even soles. Then a water-based glue is applied to the entire bottom of the insoles. The heels are positioned. Heel caps are applied before the heels are nailed to ensure they stay in place - also when walking. The soles are then manually applied and shaped into its perfect position before they are finally put under pressure by a machine to ensure that the shaped edges of the soles remain even and in place.
Heating & cooling
In order to reduce our carbon footprint, we produce all of our styles in Europe, and use road transportation only. To avoid the common back and forth shipping problem, we have local distribution warehouses in main selling territories.
So as to cut down on shipment volumes, we have developed packaging made to fit each product perfectly. As another way to reduce our environmental impact, we have completely eliminated single-use plastic from our shoe box packaging, and only use boxes made from FSC-certified materials.
If you want to know more about our sustainability initiatives, check out Our Values.
Finishing & packing
Once the lasts are removed, Givia is brought to the finishing process where a comfort sponge is added together with the upper leather insoles.
The Givia’s are then going trough a final quality control check before they are finally applied with a natural wax, gets polished and are left to dry.
Thus, a pair of Givia is ready to be packed into our recycled FSC Certified shoe boxes.
Read more about our environmentally friendly packaging and transportation.
