There’s nothing more elegant than a handmade pair of moccasins
The greatest stories start with a “I’d really like” or a “I dream of”. My very talented friend Eleni, during a chat – under the sun, while we were having ouzo and eating grilled sardines – just after the first lockdown in 2020, had told me just that.
“I’d really like to create my own shoe line, in particular moccasins,” she told me half serious (something that at the time, I mistook for wishful thinking. My mistake, I apologize, Eleni)
During the second lockdown, the thought matured inside her and became a decision which in turn became a reality. And that is how Hibou the label was born. A fresh shoe brand with the (wise) owl for its logo, bringing forth something totally different.
The brand’s founder
Eleni is one of those women that you instantly like. She’s witty, polite, smart and with a fine sense of humour and a great sense of style. She is great at what she does and seems to have a bright future ahead of her. But was it that made her create, as a side project, while still doing her day job, a line of amazing handmade moccasins that would land women on a more comfortable but incredibly elegant shoe, after the uncomfortable high heels? “Some years ago, with my cousin Christina, we despaired trying to find a specific design we had in mind. So, we decided to design it and give the design to a talented shoemaker to create it for us. That’s how we first caught the “bug”,” she explains.
The philosophy
“The project’s philosophy is that we love a few classic shoe designs like the moccasin, the ballerina, the Mary Jane, the Chelsea boot and the espadrille, among others, and our goal is to showcase them in a more modern version,” Eleni tells me when I ask her about the brand’s philosophy.
In fact, she tells me, some designs will come out every year, in variations, depending on the season.
“We like the idea of buying something you like a lot, and it being available in the future. You might want to buy the same design in another colour or different type of leather.”
Hibou the label
What is a wise owl (in French) doing at a shoe brand? Eleni chose this animal for all the symbolic meaning it carries. Wise, patient, unique. “This project is a family matter,” the founder tells me. “My mother, my aunt, my cousin and I are all part of it. In fact, my cousin, Christina, is an artist and she designed the brand’s logo. Together we’re in charge of many parts of the label’s aesthetics,” she says.
As women targeting women we must say that there’s nothing more chic than a handmade pair of flat shoes that can be worn at all times and suit any outfit. Even more so if this design is unique. “Moccasins are shoes that we’ve loved since we were little. We saw both our parents wear it. So, we started with a classic, timeless design that is always in fashion and can be worn all day – even with a fancy evening dress.” Eleni tells me. The brand’s team have decided to use the best materials and work with Greek artisans for their first shoe collection.
“The shoes are made from beginning to end – from the cutting of the leather, the addition of lining, the stitching, up to the assembly – by hand, using high quality leather, soles, threads and dyes,” Eleni says as my eyes fall on a seams that Eleni has chosen to do in a different colour, creating a very interesting contrast, and a fashionable advantage.
“We have a wide variety of leathers as well, like napa, snake, patent, nubuck and many more. We work with Greek professional artisans who have a deep expertise in making good handmade shoes. We invest in small old Greek cottage industries, since an important part of our culture as a brand is to support small businesses,” she says and I’m happy to hear that another brand chooses to make its products exclusively in Greece.
Where will you find the Hibou the label moccasins
The first collection is already live on the website hibouthelabel.gr as well as at the Matchbox stores (Neo Psichiko, Kifisia & Kolonaki).
