Casa Alfaro and María Rueda Atelier create "Raíces", a collection of espadrilles and bags inspired by the Pilar and the Aljafería
2026/06/22
Casa Alfaro , a Zaragoza-based espadrille maker with over a century of history and four generations of artisans behind it, has recently collaborated with designer María Rueda Atelier in the creation of a collection that unites artisan tradition and Aragonese identity in a way that is both natural and unexpected.
The collection, named "Roots," originated as María's final degree project and takes as its inspiration two of Zaragoza's most emblematic monuments: the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar and the Aljafería Palace . The result is a line of espadrilles and matching bags in which Casa Alfaro's traditional craftsmanship serves as the foundation for a contemporary interpretation of the city's symbols.
The collaboration began when María contacted the workshop to explore whether they could help her develop the footwear for her project . "She got in touch with us to see if we could help, and we said yes, we would collaborate on creating the espadrilles," recalls Silvia, who runs the family business. After the presentation and approval of the work, photos of the collection were shared on the company's social media channels, receiving such a positive response that they are already considering continuing the collaboration.
Casa Alfaro makes its espadrilles with completely natural materials : cotton, linen, and jute for the soles, with cork inside the wedge. They maintain the hand-sewing process as an essential hallmark of their brand. "There are espadrilles that don't even have thread; they're completely glued. For us, an espadrille, no matter how high the esparto wedge is, if it's glued, it's not a real espadrille," they explain from the workshop.
"Raíces" is an example of what happens when craftsmanship and contemporary design meet with mutual respect : a collection that pays homage to the city and at the same time demonstrates that the artisanal espadrille still has much territory to explore.
Sources consulted: heraldo.es (article by Ana Usieto)
Images: Miryam Calleja