São Paulo – They already export the Minas way of making fashion to women in Bolivia and French Guiana. In their case, in foot fashion. And they plan to go beyond and sell more outside Brazil. The Arabs are in the target, with some contacts being made. Ahead of the Cláudia D’Ávila organisation, a producer of shoes, is couple Milton and Cláudia D’Ávila, who have been producing women’s shoes since 1986, in Ubá, 300 kilometres away from Belo Horizonte.
“Exports currently answer to between 10% and 15% of our revenues,” said Cláudia. “But this percentage should grow.” According to her, a short while ago a businessman of Arab origin visited Ubá interested in importing furniture, having learnt about the brand shoes and shown interest. “We sent a picture catalogue of our products, the Arabs interest us,” he said.
Brand production is 10,000 pairs of shoes a month. In Brazil, most of the sales are to the states of the Southeast, Midwest and Northeast. According to Cláudia, there are four different collections issued each year, two for winter and two for summer. In all, 400 new models are placed on the market each year.
New releases for the hot season are being showcased at the 44th International Shoes and Accessories Fashion Fair (Francal) in São Paulo. The event opened this Tuesday (26th) and will continue until June 29th. “Our biggest bets for the summer are midsole sandals, with higher heels and equally high front portions,” Cláudia explains.
In addition to care with tendencies, the models signed by the entrepreneur are successful for their artisanal finish. And the “Minas Gerais” factor, of course. “Our state has a tradition when it comes to fashion and handicraft,” says Milton. “Everything we do has a different touch, be it glitter, embroidery, a colour, a detail,” he says. All of these are features that consumers appreciate, and they help open doors in Brazil and abroad. These are the best bets of the company to continue growing here and overseas.
Contact
Cláudia D’Ávila
Telephone: +55 32 3531-4787
*Translated by Mark Ament & Gabriel Pomerancblum
