APICCAPS has announced partnerships with the brands Theophilio, Campillo, Kallmeyer and Libertine for the New York Fashion Week
Portuguese footwear is once again in the spotlight at New York Fashion Week. The Portuguese Footwear Association (APICCAPS) has announced four partnerships with the renowned designers Theophilio, Campillo, Kallmeyer and Libertine, who will create bespoke capsule collections to be presented on the Spring/Summer 2026 catwalks. These collaborations aim to showcase Portuguese excellence in craftsmanship and, at the same time, support designers in expanding their range of offerings.
The announced partnerships involve Gladz with Theophilio, Mariano Shoes with CAMPILLO, JJ Heitor with Kallmeyer and Helena Mar with Libertine. APICCAPS aims to showcase Portugal’s reputation for luxury craftsmanship, precision, and innovation by bringing together visionary designers and master Portuguese manufacturers.
The mission of the Portuguese association is to promote the excellence of artisanal footwear and to establish Portugal as a benchmark for the sustainable production of high-quality footwear. These key elements will be integral to these limited-edition collections. The idea is to bring the unique aesthetic of each designer to life through partnerships with trustworthy Portuguese producers whose experience of production aligns with APICCAPS’ values of quality, sustainability and artistic talent.
"Our mission at APICCAPS, in collaboration with these renowned Portuguese brands, is to promote both emerging and established designers while showcasing the unparalleled craftsmanship of Portuguese footwear”, says Paulo Gonçalves, the communications director of the association. He adds that the creative partnerships with Theophilio, CAMPILLO, Kallmeyer and Libertine arose from a "shared dedication to heritage, innovation, and sustainability”, and that "participating in these projects is a source of pride”, as "it enables the craftsmanship and rich cultural heritage of Portuguese design to be highlighted”.
Theophilio and Gladz
Founded in 1994 by Fernando Oliveira II, Gladz is a Portuguese footwear brand that produces everything in-house, from sketching and prototyping to sewing and final finishing. Focusing on integrity and environmental responsibility, the company produces high-quality footwear.
Established in 2020, Theophilio is the brainchild of Jamaican-American designer Edvin Thompson, who fuses the soul of Jamaica with the energy of New York. Based in Brooklyn, the brand captures the raw beat of dancehall, the pulse of city streets, and the cosiness of home.
CAMPILLO and Mariano Shoes
This is the second collaboration between CAMPILLO and Mariana Shoes, a Portuguese footwear brand with 80 years of experience. The first capsule collection featured a classic boot in four colours and was unveiled at the Autumn/Winter 2025 show in New York. This new collection also includes boots.
Mariano Shoes has become a symbol of the fusion of traditional Portuguese craftsmanship and modern design. Now in its fourth generation, the brand continues to create exquisite, handcrafted shoes that combine timeless elegance with contemporary style. Every Mariano shoe is meticulously handcrafted, from the initial cutting of the leather to the final polish.
Kallmeyer and JJ Heitor.
JJ Heitor is a company that specialises in manufacturing high-quality women’s footwear with meticulous attention to material selection, elegance, and durability. It has cultivated a strong presence, with a focus on exports, and has gained an international reputation for design. Thus, Kallmeyer’s elegant, modernist sensibility blends perfectly with JJ Heitor’s legacy of refined craftsmanship.
Libertine and Helena Mar
Helena Mar is dedicated to showing that a pair of shoes is much more than just an accessory; they are a celebration of individuality and style. This collaboration with Libertine, a brand renowned for its bold colours, playful patterns, and subversive creativity, will result in a vibrant capsule collection where Portuguese footwear craftsmanship enhances Libertine’s eclectic and expressive identity. The Libertine x Helena Mar collection includes sandals and heels.
Founded in 1994 by Fernando Oliveira II, Gladz is a Portuguese footwear brand that produces everything in-house, from sketching and prototyping to sewing and final finishing. Focusing on integrity and environmental responsibility, the company produces high-quality footwear.
Established in 2020, Theophilio is the brainchild of Jamaican-American designer Edvin Thompson, who fuses the soul of Jamaica with the energy of New York. Based in Brooklyn, the brand captures the raw beat of dancehall, the pulse of city streets, and the cosiness of home.
Theophilio’s vibrant aesthetic is thus infused with the heritage of Fernanda Oliveira II, resulting in a collection of refined, expressive footwear based on a creative vision. The collection includes sandals, loafers, mules, ankle boots, and high-top boots.
This is the second collaboration between CAMPILLO and Mariana Shoes, a Portuguese footwear brand with 80 years of experience. The first capsule collection featured a classic boot in four colours and was unveiled at the Autumn/Winter 2025 show in New York. This new collection also includes boots.
Mariano Shoes has become a symbol of the fusion of traditional Portuguese craftsmanship and modern design. Now in its fourth generation, the brand continues to create exquisite, handcrafted shoes that combine timeless elegance with contemporary style. Every Mariano shoe is meticulously handcrafted, from the initial cutting of the leather to the final polish.
At CAMPILLO, the preservation of tradition is also evident, with Mexican heritage combined with a contemporary personal perspective and sustainable principles. Since its foundation in 2017, CAMPILLO has been inspired by charro culture, Mexican modernist architecture, and "pre-Hispanic minimalism”.
JJ Heitor is a company that specialises in manufacturing high-quality women’s footwear with meticulous attention to material selection, elegance, and durability. It has cultivated a strong presence, with a focus on exports, and has gained an international reputation for design. Thus, Kallmeyer’s elegant, modernist sensibility blends perfectly with JJ Heitor’s legacy of refined craftsmanship.
The New York-based clothing brand reimagines everyday essentials as a sophisticated, modular wardrobe for modern, empowered women. Each piece offers unique versatility and a refined yet unpretentious aesthetic through an impeccable fit, high-quality fabrics, clever details and careful balance. The Kallmeyer x JJ Heitor collection includes loafers, sandals and heels.
Helena Mar is dedicated to showing that a pair of shoes is much more than just an accessory; they are a celebration of individuality and style. This collaboration with Libertine, a brand renowned for its bold colours, playful patterns, and subversive creativity, will result in a vibrant capsule collection where Portuguese footwear craftsmanship enhances Libertine’s eclectic and expressive identity. The Libertine x Helena Mar collection includes sandals and heels.