The Portuguese Footwear Association (APICCAPS) is set to unveil four exclusive partnerships with celebrated designers including Theophilio, Campillo, Kallmeyer and Libertine this New York Fashion Week.

According to APICCAPS, it has helped the designers created bespoke footwear capsules designed to showcase Portuguese artisanal excellence while supporting designers as they expand their offerings.

Paulo Goncalves, director at APICCAPS, told FN that in recent years, the organization has sought to collaborate with designers from around the globe, blending Portuguese production expertise with bold and creative market visions.

“That is why, this season, Portuguese footwear is making its mark at the world’s leading fashion weeks: London, Milan, New York, Paris — and, of course, Lisbon,” Goncalves said. “What began just a year ago with a single collaboration with American designers has quickly grown: from one to two, and now to four. This momentum reflects our increasing commitment to the U.S. market. Portuguese footwear is here to stay.”

For Theophilio, the brand teamed up with Fernanda Oliveira II to create a collection of sandals, moccasins, mules, ankle boots and high boots. Edvin Thompson of Theophilio noted that partnering with APICCAPS has been an “inspiring journey” that allowed the brand to merge Portuguese craftsmanship with Theophilio’s narrative of culture and movement.

“Creating custom shoes for our spring/summer 2026 ‘Riddim’ collection felt like building wearable sculptures — each pair celebrates freedom, resilience, and the rhythm that carries us forward,” Thompson said.

As for Libertine – a brand known for bold colors, playful patterns, and subversive creativity – teamed up with Helena Mar on sandals and heels. Johnson Hartig, founder and creative director of Libertine added that he was “thrilled” to work with APICCAPS and Helena Mar.

“They made the design process so effortless and so easy, and the shoes turned out far beyond what we could have ever expected,” Hartig noted. “It was a pleasure.”

Campillo joined forces with Mariano Shoes this season for a collection of boots. This collection marks the two label’s second collaboration together, with their first capsule featuring a classic boot in four colors.

“This collaboration with APICCAPS provides the opportunity to work with the Portuguese leather and footwear craft, through Mexican inspiration,” Patricio Campillo added. “This exercise has become a mechanism to create culture and new design possibilities. While developing the collection, I saw the Mexican summer, the sun, and what that lifestyle looks like. Rather than producing something that was closer to direct references, when it came to footwear I designed for the life I envision the Campillo customer to live. The footwear builds upon the lifestyle of Campillo and continuing to craft the universe.”

And finally, Kallmeyer worked with JJ Heitor on a collection of loafers, sandals and heels. “We’ve always thought about our customer from head-to-toe, these four staple silhouettes were exactly what we were missing in helping our clients embrace the thought of elevated dressing,” Daniella Kallmeyer said. “The APICCAPS team understood our need for simplicity and quality in order to explore this category.”