Zespà

Zespà was established in Aix-en-Provence in 2009 by Jonathan Agrifoglio and Jérémy Amar with the initial goal of reimagining the espadrille—updating the traditional summer shoe for contemporary wear. In 2014, the brand shifted focus to premium men's sneakers, applying its signature Mediterranean-inspired aesthetic and construction philosophy to casual footwear. The result is sleek, casual sneakers constructed from full-grain calf leather sourced from European tanneries, with clean lines and a Provençal color palette reflecting the region's visual character. Production occurs in family-owned Portuguese workshops, with approximately 100 hand-executed steps per shoe. The brand maintains relationships with major fashion collaborators (Tsumori Chisato, Carven) and has developed recognition among style-conscious consumers seeking shoes balancing heritage craftsmanship with contemporary design. The French brand emphasizes "made to last" principles—durability through material quality and construction rather than seasonal replacement. Zespà represents an alternative positioning within casual footwear: premium pricing justified by European production, hand-finishing, and material choices rather than brand markup alone.