This is a list just for shoes made in California. Making shoes in America is no easy feat (pronunciation pun intended!). Geographically speaking however, some of the hottest brands in fashion footwear are all made within miles of each other in the sprawling city of Los Angeles. Their proximity to one another is no coincidence as shoe factories were quite vibrant here until the mid 80’s when domestic production began to head overseas to meet the demands of consumers looking for a lower price point. With them went machines, skilled labor and components, but what they’ve left behind was a pocket of artisanal factory owners who are busier than I’ve seen in my 7 years working as a designer and production consultant to my own (as well as other) footwear brands.
While making shoes in California certainly poses its fair share of roadblocks, it's when designers are able to work around them that their collections are forced to strengthen and become unique, due to those same restrictions that bind them.
Note: This post was originally written in 2016. Since then five out of the ten original listed companies have gone out of business or been put on pause- Jen + Kim Shoes, Well Bred Co., Gentry Downey, Newbark, and Valas. That's five American shoe businesses that have closed. It's a reminder how important it is for us to support American manufacturing.
Shoes Made in California: Ten Brands Dedicated to 'Made in USA'
Bendy by Ashbury Skies
Bendy by Ashbury Skies are eco-conscious shoes for women handcrafted in Los Angeles.
Bryr
Bryr is based in San Francisco and features made to order clogs in so many styles. The clog bases are made in Europe.
Californians
Californians handcrafted boho and vintage style shoes for women are made in Los Angeles. Styles include slippers, sandals, clogs, and more. Californians also makes sandals for men and offers a vegan collection.
The sandals pictured are the Eileen (vegan) tan.
Calleen Cordero
Calleen Cordero footwear is handmade in limited quantities. The styles include boots, moccasins, sneakers, loafers, sandals, and more.
CYDWOQ
CYDWOQ shoes for men and women are handmade in Burbank. They are made with biodegradable glues and vegetable tanned leathers. CYDWOQ shoes have been American made since 1996. Shoes are made to order.
Esquivel
Esquivel luxury leather shoes for men and women are handcrafted by skilled artisans in southern California.
Jaclyn Jones
Jaclyn Jones luxury women's shoes are handcrafted in Los Angeles. Only 18 pairs or less is made of each style and the shoes are numbered on the bottom.
Julian Boots
Julian Boots high end men’s boots are constructed of fine leathers with old world craftsmanship. With custom orders for Hollywoods’ finest along with store orders across Europe and Japan, this brand embodies the demand for California made shoes abroad.
Salpy
Salpy shoes for women are truly artisanal shoes designed and built by a husband and wife team and their highly skilled craftsmen and women at their own Los Angeles factory. Sold nationwide and known not only for their excellent design, but comfort as well. Most Salpy styles are made to order, but they do offer a selection of already made shoes to choice from.
Zuzii
Located in Los Angeles, Zuzii started out as a manufacturer of children's footwear in 2009. Today, Zuzii Footwear offers made to order clogs, sandals, flats, and sneakers for women, and sneakers for kids.
DON'T MISS OUR OTHER AMERICAN MADE FOOTWEAR LISTS:
- Made in USA Women's Boots
- Made in USA Kids Shoes
- American Made mens work boots, hiking boots and more
- Sneakers and athletic footwear made in USA
- American Made Shoes
- Men's Dress Shoes
- Men's Sandals
- Made in USA Cowboy Boots
- American Made Sandals and Flip Flops
- Made in USA Slippers & Moccasins
- Vegan Shoe Brands
SUPPORT AMERICAN MADE. THESE POSTS HAVE TIPS THAT WILL HELP YOU DO JUST THAT.
What Does the Made in the USA Label Mean? Your Questions Answered.
Trying to Buy American? 3 Rules to Follow EVERY time you go Shopping
Ask your favorite stores to help you Buy American
Let’s buy American made gifts. We’ve got all the good ideas.
How to Avoid Tariffs: Buy American! Start Here
Have you visited our Made in USA Shopping District? It is the place to start your shopping when you want to find the best of American-made.
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Fabulous list. I’ve been trying to contact someone at NewbarK: at their headquarters or factory but have not been able to locate either an email address, street address or phone #. Could you refer me to a contact for the
company? I’d be very grateful if you have that information. Thanks in advance.
jk
Any information on where you can have your own design made?
Are there any American shoe makers that make orthopedic shoes, both men’s and women’s?
I would love to own a pair of shoes that is an investment. All of mine wear out within a year.
I worked in the shoe manufacturing industry for more then forty years as did my father before me. I am glad to see that shoe manufacturing continues in Southern California.
I love your lists of AMERICAN MADE products 《 ♡ 》, I am curious though as to how many of these products get their materials from outside the US? How many are made from substainable products? Cruelty free products?
I was just watching a television show that showed some USA made shoes and showed how the shoes were made. It is such an amazing process. I always just took it for granted. So much is involved. It was a really cool thing to watch and to better understand how these products are made.
Nice to see that there are still shoes being made here. My father worked in shoe manufacturing in L.A. until about 1990. This once vibrant industry struggled and could no longer compete with imports.
Wow, these are all great looking! I especially like the Calleen Cordero heels! All are beautiful shoes.
I think Seychelles is also made in L.A.?
Try our natural, hand-made shoes from Mariposa, CA,
NATIVEARTH
http://www.nativearth.com
209-966-5568
Do you have a list of the actual factories? Not the designers. I’m really glad to hear that footwear production is still robust here in Los Angeles.
Hi John, since we list thousands of brands here with tens of thousands of products, we could not track all of the factories too. If you want to know about the manufacturing of a specific product, reach out to that brand directly or use the Contact link at the bottom of this page to send us a note and we’ll try to connect you. If you are looking for manufacturing help for your own product, we are not experts in that area, but use that Contact link to ask and we do have a list of resources we can share. Thanks!
Hi there,
Love your article, just discovered this. Thought I’d put us out there as we’re a new brand launch just getting started too!
Wish all these brands the best as it is a challenge but rewarding.
Warmest regards,
Dave
BASKE
I had no idea that there are so many shoes made here in the US. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the excellent inspiring article and photos! Is Cydwoq no longer manufacturing in California?
Great post! I believe Nanette Lepore is also manufacturing some of her shoes in California as well.
Your the best! Thank you for making my web shopping easier. 🙂 Its gets overwhelming trying to find shoes that are made here on Google searches. Do you have a list for kids shoes? I really need help finding some shoes for my kids.