Let’s face it. Comfortable shoes don’t always look stylish. But not when it comes to Flabelus. Founded in 2020 by Beatriz de los Mozos, Flabelus has revolutionized the traditional concept of the Spanish alpargata, or espadrille, and fused it with the Italian furlane – you know, the shoes that the gondolieri wear in Venice. It all started because Beatriz herself suffered from serious back problems, and was looking for an elegant shoe that she could wear on the daily. Thus, after numerous conversations with factories, first in Italy and subsequently, in Spain, Beatriz finally found one that could make her dream shoes, and Flabelus was born.
Turns out they weren’t only her personal dreams shoes. The word of mouth flew, —in Spain and abroad,— and the fans of Flabelus to date are many. From Kelly Rutherford to Pippa Middleton, these espadrilles are being sported by it girls and royals worldwide. Fast forward only five years later, and lots of hard work to be sure, Flabelus now has stores in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Paris, London, Lisbon, Milan, and Mexico.
It is not only the sustainable aspect that makes Flabelus so fabulous,— the rubber on the soles, for example, is recycled,— but Beatriz’s own story is fascinating. Just this year, Flabelus opened up its own factory in Elche, Spain’s shoe factory hub in Alicante. That’s not enough, though; the brand inaugurated a new store on Madrid’s fifth avenue, Calle Serrano de 82, on July 22. Oh, another one in New York City on August 4!
But did you know that Beatriz herself started out as a lawyer? In an exclusive interview, she shared her trajectory with RGNN, and offers hands-on advice for young fashion industry professionals who want to follow in her footsteps – no pun intended. And as if tips from a viral shoe brand founder didn’t suffice, she also got candid about who she would really like to have dinner with, which celebrity she really wants to see wearing Flabelus, and more. Keep reading below!
You started out as a lawyer – and now run Flabelus. Could you briefly take us through your professional trajectory; why did you decide to leave law behind and start a shoe brand?
Absolutely. I studied law and then worked as sales director at an artificial intelligence company in London. Creating a shoe brand was never part of the plan—it began almost by accident. I don’t think there was a clear before-and-after moment in my decision-making process. Suddenly, I was building something, and somehow, it kept growing.
It all started with a personal curiosity—a design idea, a search for a supplier who could improve it—and one thing led to another.
I’ve always loved the look of Venetian slippers, but I have serious back problems and completely flat shoes don’t work for me.
I wanted something just as elegant but with a bit more internal structure and comfort.
So I created my dream shoe, like something I would’ve written in a letter to the Three Kings [the equivalent of Santa Claus here in Spain]. I placed a small order during COVID, sold it among friends, and sent pairs to a few multi-brand stores. Then I launched a website, and thanks to word of mouth—mainly friends of friends—the orders started coming in.
I remember that in the first month [of founding Flabelus], I made what I used to earn in a year as a lawyer in London.
That was the moment I realized there was real potential here. What started as a side project quickly evolved into a full-time business—and that’s how Flabelus was born.
What advice do you have for others who would also like to pivot professionally and pursue a career in fashion?
My advice would be: don’t be afraid to dream—but know that dreams only come true with a lot of hard work. Since I was very young, I was taught that nothing happens by chance.
If you want to pivot professionally and enter the fashion world, be ready to roll up your sleeves. It’s a beautiful industry, but also incredibly demanding.
Why Flabelus (and by that we mean the name)? And why espadrilles?
Flabelus comes from the dreams of three close friends—Flaminia, Lucrecia, and me, Beatriz. We combined the first syllables of our names (Fla-Be-Lus) to create a name that felt personal and full of meaning. Although my friends ultimately didn’t join the project, the name remains as a tribute to the friendship and inspiration that sparked it all.
I originally wanted to import Italian furlane slippers to Spain and worked with several Italian suppliers, but they couldn’t accommodate the design changes I had in mind. My goal was to create something elegant, timeless, and comfortable—shoes you could wear all day. That led me to explore Spanish craftsmanship, especially espadrilles, which are part of my own cultural heritage. I found a workshop in Spain undergoing a generational shift, and the new generation was eager to experiment. Together, we combined the structure and comfort of espadrilles with the refined look of Venetian furlane slippers. The result was something completely new—and the first Flabelus was born.
I love my Felicias. Why is the name of each shoe inspired by a literary figure? I understand that mine comes from “Felicia’s Journey” by William Trevor, correct?
I’m so glad you love your Felicias! And yes, you’re absolutely right—“Felicia” is inspired by “Felicia’s Journey” by William Trevor.
@isabelevabohrer It’s giving ballerina vibes 🩰 @Flabelus #flabelus #espadrilles #ballerinas #ballerinaflat #alpargatas #unboxing #flats #shoes ♬ sonido original – Isabel Eva Bohrer
At Flabelus, we’ve created more than just a shoe brand—we see it as a universe, a magical world full of imagination, color, and stories. In this universe, each shoe is like a character, which is why we name them after literary figures. These names aren’t random; they help bring each design to life and give it its own identity, mood, and narrative.
What advice do you have for other aspiring designers looking to launch a brand, and specifically, a shoe brand, in today’s competitive fashion landscape?
If you want to start your own brand, you just have to learn along the way and take the leap. It’s normal to feel some fear and doubts at the beginning, but don’t worry — those feelings will fade with time. Emotionally, it can be tough, so my advice is to take it calmly.
Life has a way of guiding you, and suddenly, everything becomes clear. Patience and persistence are key in this competitive industry.
From Kelly Rutherford to Pippa Middleton… celebs and royals love Flabelus. People always ask “if you could have dinner with one person, who would it be?” I ask, “if you could have one person wear Flabelus, who would it be?”
That’s such a hard question, because my biggest dream would be for all modern women and men to incorporate Flabelus into their lives—making them a wardrobe essential, just like a pair of Converse.
But if I had to choose someone, the day I see Rosalía wearing a pair… I might actually faint.
And since we’re talking about dreams, if I could have dinner with anyone, it would be with someone like Lady Di—for her elegance, sensitivity, and strength.
A new factory in Elche, a new store on Calle de Serrano in Madrid and another one in New York… what’s next for Flabelus?
The future has no limits! Our goal is to grow significantly and take Flabelus to a global level—becoming one of the major players in the industry. I want to elevate the position of Spanish fashion and turn Flabelus into a true symbol of it. There’s still a lot of work ahead, but the ambition is clear.
The new Flabelus store in Madrid is located on Calle Serrano 82, 28006 Madrid. You can also shop the collection online at flabelus.com. A full list of stores worldwide is similarly available on the official website.
