14 October 2026International edition
Vol. I · No.
14 October 2026
AI in Fashion
DAILY
The daily briefing on AI in the fashion business
Where fashion meets artificial intelligence.
Footwear

Mariano

Portugal

Mariano is a Portuguese shoe brand founded in 1945 as a small family business in Oliveira de Azeméis. It makes luxury handcrafted shoes, sold through its Lisbon store and online, with a large share of online sales exported.

Facts
Founded1945
HeadquartersOliveira de Azeméis, Portugal
StoreRua Castilho, Lisbon
Key export marketsSaudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait
Websitemarianoshoes.com
Segment
Luxury
Categories
Footwear
Sales channels
Own storesE-commerceWholesale

What is Mariano?

Mariano, also known as Mariano Shoes, is a Portuguese footwear brand based in Oliveira de Azeméis, in the north of the country. It was founded in 1945, near the end of the Second World War, as a small family business.

History

The company marked its 80th anniversary in November 2025. Around that milestone it refreshed its brand identity, positioning itself as modern heritage and building on its tradition of craftsmanship.

Products and positioning

Mariano makes luxury handcrafted shoes, with an emphasis on quality, craftsmanship and tradition. The brand is part of the made in Portugal footwear sector and has extended its offer beyond its classic styles.

Distribution

Mariano runs one physical store on Rua Castilho in Lisbon, serving both local customers and tourists, and sells online. About half of online sales are exported:

  • Main overseas markets: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait
  • Followed by the United States and Canada
  • Largest European markets: Spain and Germany

Why it matters

Mariano shows how a heritage Portuguese shoemaker can use e-commerce to reach distant markets such as the Gulf, while a single flagship in Lisbon anchors the brand's identity.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Mariano from?

Mariano is a Portuguese shoe brand based in Oliveira de Azeméis.

When was Mariano founded?

Mariano was founded in 1945 as a small family business.

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