About Us
Vagabond Shoemakers:
We are a contemporary shoe brand dedicated to true craftsmanship and an enduring passion for beautiful footwear. Our inspiration is drawn largely from the cultural sphere, but above all from all the interesting personalities we encounter at Vagabond. Each collection is centered on the concept of everyday style and lasting quality, with refined details at the heart of our design process.
Vagabond Shoemakers Foundation:
Effective December 31, 2023, the founders and owners of Vagabond donated the entire company to the newly established Vagabond Shoemakers Foundation. This new ownership structure ensures that surpluses from Vagabond's operations are used for research, education, and charitable projects within the areas defined in the foundation's charter.
"We have always wanted our achievements to support initiatives and projects that are essential in our time. A foundation provides an opportunity to offer ongoing and substantial support. For us, this also means that the company's development continues in accordance with our clearly defined goals and intentions," say founders Mats Nilsson and Marie Nilsson Peterzén.
Our Philosophy:
Our mission regarding sustainable development is to encourage a movement towards conscious consumption. By creating stylish shoes and accessories with lasting quality, we hope you will love and wear them for a long time.
Our philosophy framework follows the four Cs: The Craft, The Choice, The Care, and The Change. It all begins in our design studio in Varberg, Sweden. Making our shoes last is the first essential step in reducing our impact on the environment. But every step is crucial, and you also have an important role to play. By keeping these four pillars in mind, we can encourage more conscious consumption and reduce the fashion industry's impact on the planet.
Our Story:
In 1973, the Vagabond brand was founded in Sweden. From the beginning, our goal was to become an international fashion brand in the footwear sector, created for consumers who value both style and quality.
In the 1980s, our founders acquired essential knowledge about shoemaking and began applying their design philosophy locally, working closely with the finest shoemakers in Portugal and Italy. After starting as a menswear brand, we consciously expanded into womenswear, resulting in a new line of unisex shoes and boots that revolutionized the Scandinavian market. In the 1990s, we continued to explore new markets, adding more iconic shoe styles to our collection, which remain essential archival references in today's design process. The philosophy is simple: to connect the past and present to create footwear that honors our brand's heritage.
Today, we are approximately 200 experienced people working at our headquarters in Varberg and around the world - all involved in the process of making impeccable quality footwear for the modern wanderer who cares about style and a sustainable lifestyle.
“We are shoemakers at heart & soul, creating shoes and accessories that reflect long-lasting style and quality. ”
Marie Nilsson Peterzén, Co-founder