Aubercy

Aubercy is a French family-owned luxury footwear company founded in Paris in 1935 by André and Renée Aubercy. The business began as a maker of high-end ready-to-wear shoes and developed a reputation among members of French and European high society. Its early clientele and social connections included figures such as Edward VIII, Albert Sarraut, the Baron de Redé, and Arthuro Lopez. The latter two, in particular, were influential in shaping the house's taste for highly individual, elegant footwear. The company's first collections were produced in a small workshop in Paris's Buttes-Chaumont neighborhood. After the Second World War, Aubercy became associated with prominent socialites and entertainers including Paul Meurice, Sacha Guitry, and Jacques Charron. As the clothing and footwear industries became more industrialized, the company sought to protect its artisanal identity. In 1956 it established its own atelier and recruited Italian artisans, while training them according to a French approach emphasizing durability, construction, and finish. Philippe and Odette Aubercy inherited the company in 1970 and broadened its scope. Under their direction, Aubercy introduced a women's line through a manufacturing unit in Modena, expanded into leather goods, and developed a made-to-order service that allowed customers to personalize products. This shift strengthened the company's positioning between luxury ready-to-wear and bespoke craftsmanship. The next generation, represented by Xavier Aubercy, continued to expand the house's product and service offer while retaining a strong emphasis on handwork. Aubercy introduced additional high-end ready-to-wear shoe models, opened a bespoke bootmaking workshop in Paris in the early 2000s, and placed that workshop under the direction of Didier Martinez, formerly associated with Berluti. The company also added belts, luggage, and a luxury shoe-repair service. Its repair activity reflects the brand's broader emphasis on longevity and maintenance rather than purely seasonal consumption. Aubercy's design language is primarily French but incorporates English and Italian influences. Distinctive construction and finishing details include chiseled toes, hand-sewn midsoles, doubled seams on uppers, and hand-cut and hand-sewn components. Many of these techniques are more commonly associated with bespoke bootmaking than with conventional ready-to-wear production. The company has presented itself as preserving a substantial degree of manual production across its shoemaking processes. The business remained independent and family-run in the period documented by the reference material, with Philippe, Odette, and Xavier Aubercy involved in its administration. It received France's Entreprise du patrimoine vivant designation in June 2016, recognizing its artisanal and heritage-related capabilities. Aubercy's public profile is that of a specialist luxury craft house rather than a mass-market footwear group: its offer centers on individually styled shoes, customization, repair, and durable construction. The brand's website continues to present it as an operating luxury footwear and leather-goods business.

Aubercy was established in 1935 by André Aubercy and his wife, Renée, at 34 rue Vivienne in Paris. The company initially specialized in high-end ready-to-wear shoes. Its earliest production took place in a small workshop in the Buttes-Chaumont area, while its aesthetic was shaped by the founders' relationships with affluent and culturally prominent figures during the interwar period. Edward VIII, Albert Sarraut, the Baron de Redé, and Arthuro Lopez are identified in the company's historical account as members of this early milieu. The Baron de Redé and Lopez were particularly important influences on Aubercy's style and direction. Following the Second World War, Aubercy developed a reputation among French socialites and performers. Its reported clientele included Paul Meurice, Sacha Guitry, and Jacques Charron. The increasing industrialization of textile and clothing production prompted the company to reinforce control over its own craftsmanship. In 1956, it created an atelier and brought in Italian artisans, whose technical and artistic traditions were combined with training in a French conception of durable footwear. In 1970, ownership passed to Philippe and Odette Aubercy. Their period of stewardship marked a significant broadening of the business. Aubercy introduced a women's line supported by a manufacturing unit in Modena, Italy, expanded into multiple categories of leather goods, and launched a made-to-order service through which clients could personalize products. These developments extended the company beyond conventional ready-to-wear while preserving its luxury and craft orientation. Xavier Aubercy, a member of the next generation, subsequently contributed new high-end ready-to-wear designs and further developed the company's specialist services. In the early 2000s, Aubercy opened a bespoke bootmaker workshop in Paris, led by Didier Martinez, who had previously worked with Berluti. The company also introduced belts and luggage and established a luxury shoe-repair service. These activities reinforced a business model based not only on selling new footwear but also on customization, maintenance, and the extension of product life. Aubercy's construction methods and appearance combine French styling with elements associated with English and Italian footwear. Its recognized details include chiseled toes, hand-sewn midsoles, doubled seams on the upper, and hand cutting and hand sewing. The company has maintained that many shoemaking processes are performed by hand in order to preserve an artisanal character and a high level of finish. The house remained independent and controlled by the Aubercy family in the period covered by the available reference material. Philippe, Odette, and Xavier Aubercy were identified as involved in administration, while the Paris bespoke workshop formed a specialized part of the wider business. In June 2016, Aubercy received the Entreprise du patrimoine vivant label, a French recognition associated with companies possessing distinctive traditional or technical know-how. The available historical material reports annual revenue of 1.3 million euros in 2004, although no more recent financial figures are provided. Aubercy continues to operate as a specialist French luxury footwear and leather-goods house.

• 2016

  Aubercy receives the Entreprise du patrimoine vivant label

  [1]Aubercyen.wikipedia.org

  The French government-recognized heritage designation acknowledges Aubercy's artisanal capabilities and specialist know-how.

• 2000

  A Paris bespoke bootmaking workshop opens

  [1]Aubercyen.wikipedia.org

  Aubercy develops a dedicated bespoke bootmaker workshop in Paris, led by Didier Martinez.

• 1970

  Philippe and Odette Aubercy inherit the company

  [1]Aubercyen.wikipedia.org

  The second generation expands the business into women's footwear, leather goods, and made-to-order personalization.

• 1956

  The company establishes its own atelier

  [1]Aubercyen.wikipedia.org

  Aubercy creates an in-house workshop and recruits Italian artisans while applying a French approach to durable footwear construction.

• 1935

  Aubercy is founded in Paris

  [1]Aubercyen.wikipedia.org

  André and Renée Aubercy establish the family shoemaking company, initially producing high-end ready-to-wear shoes.

Independent French luxury shoemaker positioned around artisanal construction, bespoke service, personalization, heritage, and long-term product durability.

• Luxury footwear · 1935

  High-end ready-to-wear shoes

  Aubercy's original and continuing core category consists of high-end ready-to-wear shoes. The designs express a French luxury sensibility while incorporating elements associated with English and Italian footwear. Construction details may include chiseled toes, hand-sewn midsoles, doubled upper seams, and manually cut and sewn components.

• Custom footwear

  Bespoke shoes

  The bespoke offer allows clients to commission individually fitted and personalized footwear. It extends Aubercy's emphasis on handwork and distinctive styling beyond standardized collections and forms a central part of the house's specialist luxury positioning.

• Women's footwear · 1970

  Women's line

  Introduced during the stewardship of Philippe and Odette Aubercy, the women's line broadened the company's footwear offer beyond its earlier focus. The line was supported by a manufacturing unit in Modena, Italy, reflecting the company's historical use of Italian craft expertise alongside French design and production standards.

• Custom footwear · 2000

  Bespoke boots

  Aubercy's Paris bespoke bootmaking workshop specializes in highly personalized boots and draws on techniques traditionally associated with bespoke bootmaking. The workshop was established in the early 2000s and was led by Didier Martinez, formerly associated with Berluti.

• Leather goods

  Belts and luggage

  Belts, luggage, and related leather goods extend Aubercy's craft identity into accessories. These products complement the footwear business and support the brand's made-to-order and coordinated luxury offering.

• Repair and restoration service

  Luxury shoe repair

  Aubercy's specialist repair service maintains and restores luxury footwear. The service is consistent with the company's focus on durable construction, handwork, and prolonging the useful life of finely made shoes.

• 2000

  Develop a dedicated bespoke bootmaking capabilityStrategy

  Background

  Aubercy continued to reinforce handwork and sought to extend its offer beyond ready-to-wear shoes.

  Action taken

  The company opened a bespoke bootmaker workshop in Paris and appointed Didier Martinez to lead it.

  Aftermath

  Bespoke boots became part of Aubercy's specialist luxury and customization proposition.

  Source

• 1970

  Expand into women's footwear, leather goods, and made-to-order productsStrategy

  Background

  After inheriting the business, Philippe and Odette Aubercy sought to broaden the family's established footwear operation.

  Action taken

  The company introduced a women's line, added leather-goods categories, and created a personalization-oriented made-to-order service.

  Aftermath

  Aubercy developed a wider luxury offering while retaining its focus on craft and individualized service.

  Source

• 1956

  Bring artisanal production in-houseStrategy

  Background

  Industrialization in clothing and footwear production created pressure on traditional craft businesses.

  Action taken

  Aubercy established its own atelier, hired Italian artisans, and trained them in a French approach centered on durable products.

  Aftermath

  The move strengthened the company's control over craftsmanship and became part of its long-term artisanal identity.

  Source

1. 1Aubercyen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Aubercy official websiteaubercy.com