The Extraordinary Story of Our Brand
MARTIN ZACHAR – FOUNDER OF THE OLIVIA SHOES BRAND
" I want to make shoes that bring joy. "
The story of Olivia Shoes takes place in the oldest city in Slovakia – Nitra. The idea of creating Slovak footwear with an emphasis on quality and design came from Martin Zachar. His world of football was unexpectedly replaced by the world of shoes or, if you prefer, the world of “svettopanok.sk” :) At the beginning, Martin opened a small boutique with Italian shoes. However, the key decision was to create his own brand, invest in a declining factory, bring it back to life, and start producing shoes there again. Olivia Shoes relied on the Slovak shoemaking tradition, thanks to which it still brings joy to thousands of women in Slovakia with its leather shoes today.
What makes our sneakers different
Although twenty years ago we initially focused on producing elegant shoes, our customers increasingly asked for more stylish and sporty models. That is why our sneakers eventually became iconic. We produce all of them from genuine leather. Slovak women have loved their comfort and exclusive design for several years. Each pair contains a unique detail that distinguishes it from ordinary models on the market. If you haven’t discovered them yet, you can explore the new collection here.
THE SYNERGY OF OLIVIA SHOES & GROSSO
" Shoes that perfectly match your handbag"
A few years ago at OLIVIA SHOES, we came up with the idea of producing handbags from the same materials we use for our shoes. This is how our popular matching sets were created, allowing women to coordinate their look like never before. We wanted to save our customers from the long search for a handbag that perfectly matches their shoes. And it worked. Now you can arrange everything with just one click.
Two brands that complement each other
Our handbag collection is complemented by our sister brand GROSSO – or more precisely, a “brother brand”, as Grosso was founded by Martin’s brother Marián Zachar. While under the OLIVIA SHOES brand we design handbags that go hand in hand with the design of our shoes, under the GROSSO brand you can find a wide range of more elegant handbags and wallets. Although the focus of the two brands is slightly different from the customer’s perspective, the shared goal of both brothers is to bring you a high-quality and comfortable fashion product that you will enjoy wearing.
PRODUCTION OF OUR SHOES
" OLIVIA SHOES – a joy to wear. "
Are you curious about how we prepare a new collection? We closely follow the latest fashion trends and production processes. The dominant element we work with is leather. However, we continuously expand the materials we use so that every woman can find something she loves in our collections.
From design and production all the way to you
How is a shoe created? Everything begins with an idea that transforms into graphic designs. Sometimes the inspiration comes from customer feedback, other times from fashion events. Imagine being in a shop where you see a perfect pair of shoes. Almost perfect. If only the heel were a little lower, the color slightly softer, the material a bit higher quality… we all know this feeling.
The advantage of our smaller company is flexibility, which allows us to listen to such feedback and create a new shoe model within one or two weeks. Together in the company we discuss the individual components of the shoes, search for suitable materials from tanneries, and refine every detail.
EVERY PAIR OF SHOES IS HANDMADE
" We love the scent of genuine leather. "
The idea of a new shoe model is transformed into cutting molds, with which our shoemaker colleagues cut the leather and precisely sew the upper. The upper is then placed onto a last where the entire shoe is assembled together with the insole and outsole. The finished footwear undergoes quality control, and accessories, laces and decorative elements are added. Finally, the OL symbol is applied, marking and sealing our product. The freshly made shoes are packed into boxes and sent directly to you.
Thanks to this process, we are able to produce shoes based on order, allowing us to offer a wide range of models. Such custom production, as the opposite of mass production, enables us to create products with precise specifications and significantly reduce waste.
A showroom full of shoes
You can also come and see our current collection in person at our showroom. The company headquarters is located in Nitra, in the area below Zobor hill, at Dolnozoborská Street 14, within the premises of the wine production facilities. The displayed shoe samples are available in one size, but the advantage is the opportunity to personally see all models and evaluate the quality of their craftsmanship. We will be happy to order your chosen pair in your size directly here. We are simply a Slovak family company that has been bringing joy to women for more than 20 years through our Olivia Shoes footwear and handbags.