OLIBERTE LTD. // FOOTWEAR DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT, ART DIRECTION, CATALOG AND PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY.

A relatively new brand in the casual footwear market, the goal of Toronto-based Oliberté Ltd. is to create jobs that pay fair wages in post conflict countries. Focusing first on Africa, owner Tal Dehtiar has followed this vision through to the point where the company now works closely with factories and tanneries in Ethiopia, sourcing only the best local cowhide and sheepskin for production of its footwear and bags.

Developing a footwear brand from the ground up is challenging anywhere, but especially so in a country not known for its shoe production. FG has been involved from the very beginning of this process, helping to integrate a more eco-friendly, hand-made manufacturing approach into the designs of the Oliberte’s casual leather shoes and boots.

Similar to the classic Goodyear welt construction, the minimally detailed shoe uppers are stitched to a thick soling leather, which is then cemented to an outsole made of laminated sheets of recycled crepe rubber - dubbed the “Grill” sole for its production process resembling that of a panini press. The end result: a simple, well-made shoe with a “rough around the edges” look, made from quality leather that only improves with age.

FG’s involvement is not limited to the design of the product itself – we’ve also helped Oliberté complete everything from a brand positioning strategy to their own company catalog.