Centennial Brand Pedro Garcia Strides Confidently Towards The Future

Think party, wear daily." Such is the rationale behind the centennial brand Pedro Garcia's stylish, sparkly yet ultra-comfortable sandals and shoes.

- VICKY VELOSO-BARRERA

The finest crafts that stand the test of time are those that have been nurtured and carefully passed down from parent to child through generations and centuries. So it is with quiet luxury Spanish footwear brand Pedro Garcia which celebrates its 100th year this year. This family business was founded in 1925 by Pedro Garcia Amat, in the region of Alicante where the esparto grasses used for espadrilles grow. Using only the finest leather and other materials, he started with children's and baby shoes before adding a line for men. Then his son Pedro Garcia Vidal added a women's line and grew the brand internationally. Today, third-generation siblings Mila and Pedro Garcia act as CEO and creative director, respectively, and fourth-generation Zahara and Candela Garcia are already on board.

This low-key brand commemorates its centennial with a series of events at premium retailers all over the world such as Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom in the US, Lane Crawford in Hong Kong, Selfridges in the UK and Adora in the Philippines, among others. These include the launch of its capsule collection Essentia which features sandals encrusted with mother-of-pearl from the Philippines, handwoven silks from Italy, Swarovski crystals and fine, high-quality vacchetta leather. Made from the sturdier shoulder of the cow, this supple, vegetable-tanned leather is the choice of exclusive, luxury brands.

Pedro Garcia III was in Manila for the first time to meet Eman Pineda and the Adora team; sign copies of Seasons, a book marking the brand's story in a travelogue through Spain; and interact with clients, celebrities and media. I had an inspiring and insightful conversation with Pedro to learn more about his family's dynamics, the design process and the business of nurturing a brand that looks forward to the next 100 years.