Beatriz de los Mozos, founder and creative force behind Flabelus, became an entrepreneur almost by accident. After experiencing persistent lower-back pain caused by wearing completely flat shoes, she chose to ignore medical recommendations and instead saw an opportunity: to design a low-height shoe that balanced aesthetics and ergonomics. Or, as she describes it, an espadrille in shape and construction, but with the sensibility of a Venetian slipper.

Though she always had a particular love for footwear—especially furlane—the Spanish-born law graduate was working at a mergers-and-acquisitions agency and a tech startup in London when she realized that fashion was her true passion. And while she has admitted that creating a shoe brand was never part of her initial plan, she skillfully applied her business expertise to build and scale a project with global ambition.

The Beginnings of Flabelus

The brand was officially founded in 2020 in Spain with a focus on comfortable, elegant, and sustainable design. Since then, Flabelus has grown rapidly, with a presence in Madrid, London, and Paris, and distribution in more than 50 countries—a reflection of the brand’s humanistic DNA, which extends far beyond the functional purpose of a shoe.

“We sell more than shoes. We aim to build a global community around Flabelus—one that comes for a great product, but also for the color, the comfort, the values, and the magical world it represents.”
— Beatriz de los Mozos

This vision guides Beatriz’s work and has allowed her to connect with different cultures and markets while preserving the brand’s essence and its core pillars: conscious, local production; careful attention to detail; comfort; and thoughtful craftsmanship at every step.

The Story and the Fable

Beyond its distinctive silhouette—which fuses two types of footwear, the furlane and the Venetian slipper—each pair of Flabelus is inspired by literary figures that captivated Beatriz in her childhood: Dante and Beatrice, Romeo and Juliet, Alice in Wonderland, and more.

“Every model begins with a character. Even the colors are chosen based on that narrative. The blend of design, literature, and imagination has become my signature. I like to think of the brand as a creative universe, where each shoe tells a story and connects with the wearer beyond fashion.”

This narrative approach has shaped some of the brand’s most iconic styles: the Mary Jane, with its classic buckle, vibrant colors, and embroidery; the Cinderella, reminiscent of Disney’s fairytale slipper; the Matilda, crafted from cotton velvet with a double strap; and the Mafalda, inspired by Quino’s beloved character, featuring a round cutout and a pleated ribbon.

Business Cornerstones

While Beatriz’s early process was intuitive and personal, her business model evolved as Flabelus expanded, adapting to the needs of a growing global audience.

“I still believe in telling stories through each model, but now that narrative coexists with a framework that spans from material selection to the client experience. Designing a collection today requires emotion, analysis, and long-term vision.”

One of her greatest strengths, she explains, is imagining the Flabelus woman:
“She’s a femme fatale, resilient, independent, hardworking—the woman of today.”

The muse, however, is only the beginning. Knowing the market is essential, and Flabelus closely studies customer preferences:

“That’s our focus: we maintain the basics but launch new models and designs—always with the same structure—so we never lose our identity, but still evolve with the market.”

Sustainable and Responsible at Its Core

Craftsmanship and sustainability form another key pillar of the Spanish brand. As Beatriz explains, they are built on:

“Respect, commitment, good workmanship, and the conviction that growing doesn’t mean compromising your values—if anything, it’s an opportunity to strengthen them.”

In an era of mass production and fast consumption, Flabelus embraces the opposite:

“Comfort and durability are central to both design and manufacturing.”

Despite operating globally, Flabelus has committed to Made in Spain, minimal machinery, and sustainable scaling—a decision Beatriz considers essential:

“I love it because I can create jobs in Spain, oversee the process closely, innovate, and do what I want in terms of education and involvement in the sector.”

This philosophy is reflected in the brand’s materials: organic bamboo, recycled polyester, soles made from recycled tires or bicycle wheels hand-stitched, and eco-friendly fabrics such as organic velvet, natural piqué, and aged linen. Packaging—from boxes to bags to certificates—is 100% recycled and recyclable.

Flabelus Goes Global

Flabelus seems to inhabit a world of its own—away from the noise of trends yet fully engaged in contemporary fashion dialogue. As Beatriz explains, this is made possible by:

“A creative team that comes up with endless variations, always starting from the foundation of the slipper.”

The brand’s timeless character enables each pair to travel across borders with ease. Beatriz puts it simply:

“The best way to trace the line between the classic and the contemporary is to preserve the classic—and then add a twist in the design or the color.”

The brand has also expanded from the digital realm into physical spaces—stores that, contrary to typical logic, inspire the online universe:

“Our stores guide the entire brand universe. Each one tells its own story within the world of Flabelus. There’s a strong storytelling woven into the colors and textures we use. We want people to leave feeling happy—not just because they bought a pair of shoes.”

Instagram: @flabelus