The genesis of AGAPARA - vegan, handmade sneakers

the identity

Agapara was born in the heart of Provence, a land of strong identity, where mountains, lavender fields and the Mediterranean coastline nurtured the first creations. The name Agapara, meaning to work and preserve in Provençal, embodies the House's desire to create while respecting and preserving. Embroidery, a traditional local art, is deeply rooted in the heritage of Provence. In rural areas, it captured the beauty of flowers, wildlife and scenes of daily life, embroidered with silk, cotton or gold thread. Through its creations, Agapara perpetuates this tradition by embroidering the animals and fragile landscapes of France's regions on its sneakers. If Provence inspired the first fashion pieces, the House goes beyond borders to create universal works, inspired by remote areas of the world and rooted in the timeless beauty of nature.

The intention

Slow down

In the tumult of a fast-paced world, sneaker embroidery is a slow art: the art of taking time over the gesture. Each delicately woven stitch becomes an almost meditative breath. Embroidery means suspending time, rediscovering patience, and restoring value to something that has been made with care and love. It's a luxury that's taken for granted, far removed from the imposed pace, a time that industry forgets.

Repair

The art of Agapara embroidery, delicately woven thread by thread, is inspired by the Japanese technique of Kintsugi, which sublimates cracks by adorning them with gold. Like Kintsugi, which transforms frailties into works of art, the embroidery of the landscapes strengthens and magnifies the sneakers, while highlighting the vulnerability of Nature. Each stitch becomes a gesture of repair, conveying meaning and resilience.

Reduce

Each creation is made in small series by expert craftsmen and embroiderers, using responsible and humane manufacturing methods. By avoiding industrial overproduction, this human-scale approach emphasises craftsmanship and love of the product, giving rise to unique pieces that embody a genuine manufacturing ethic, far removed from the imperatives of mass fashion and its environmental consequences.