A brand with a singular history
Santiago Pons, himself the son of a shoemaker, founded Pons Quintana in 1953, specializing in children's shoes. Production was then extended to sports shoes and sneakers (1956), then to women's feet. Much later, Pons Quintana extended its range to men's feet. The iconic babucha - the Menorcan-style slipper, a symbol of comfortable indoor footwear - finally saw the light of day. A true success story for Quintana! The current factory was built in 1968. The factory was gradually - but never completely - abandoned, and production was gradually modernized: more modern machinery facilitated assembly and shoe manufacture. Around 1975, the first commercial contacts were made with Europe. It was around this time that French and Italian designers began working on the design of the collections, creating new models and breathing new life into the company. A new generation was born under the presidency of Santiago Pons Quintana. Products for the international market took shape. Over the next decade, technologies evolved and the family grew: a hundred employees joined the Alaior factory. Productivity increased and Pons Quintana confirmed its place in the world of quality footwear. A position the company continues to occupy today!
A family affair, local and committed
It's important to note here that Pons Quinana is a company that has grown organically and according to a natural rhythm. Since the company was founded, production has been local, providing a livelihood for the residents of Alaior and the surrounding area. An example of a company perfectly integrated into its natural and social ecosystem. This is because, in addition to an attachment to craftsmanship (more on this later), the company has always cultivated a deep bond with the notion of land, territory and community. Indeed, the founder always believed in the entrepreneurial capacity of his fellow citizens, and conducted his business in such a way as to improve the standard of living of the community and, more broadly, of the island. Indeed, on his death in 2022, the town of Alaior returned the favor to one of its benefactors: Pons Quintana officially joined the club of Alaior's "illustrious sons" and a street was named after him. The importance of the notion of family, a cardinal value in the brand's activity since its creation, is also underlined here. Today, the factory is run by the second generation, already supported by the third! But family is also understood in the sense of extended family: every employee, every collaborator, every member of society is treated with consideration, as an essential and integral part of the company.
In addition to its demonstrated social commitment, Pons Quintana's business activities are rooted in a commitment to sustainability. Ecological commitment has been part of the company's values from the outset, and this starts with a rigorous choice of the basic materials used in the manufacture of our shoes. Ecological awareness - awareness of its impact on the environment and limitation of its carbon footprint - is one of Pons Quintana's main concerns. For this reason, Pons Quintana favors manufacturing processes that have a limited impact on the environment, in particular by promoting responsible leather treatment techniques. The leather tanning process is the focus of our attention, using sustainable materials and ethical practices. Proof that it's possible to combine style and ecological awareness!
Behind the scenes: el trenat
Now let's take a closer look at the specifics of the Pons Quintana shoe collections, by delving into the secrets of manufacturing. The Pons Quintana manufacturing process begins with the selection of high-quality materials. Only genuine leathers (or other noble and/or durable materials) are used to guarantee the excellence of the products. Then comes the cutting phase: the parts required for each product are cut with millimetric precision. Then comes the assembly phase, during which the different parts of the shoe are sewn together. It's important to note here that the workers who collaborate with Pons Quintana are not mere executors. They are true craftsmen, following a precise production process with exceptional meticulousness and expertise. They ensure that the seams are both durable and aesthetically appealing. Seams can be made by hand or with specialized machines, depending on the model and its details.
However, it's worth pausing for a moment to consider a very specific and distinctive technique of the Pons Quintana brand: that of trenat, or braiding in French. Pons Quintana has made hand-braiding its trademark: strips of leather carefully interwoven to produce specific designs and unique patterns. But not just anyone can do it! Menorcan leather braiding techniques are highly specific, and are in fact a traditional skill handed down from generation to generation on the island. After all, braiding is done by hand, and requires great skill. It's a safe bet that the brand's success lies in the unprecedented combination of a traditional manufactured office and a resolutely contemporary aesthetic. Indeed, it was on this ancient trenat technique that the founder set his sights back in the 1960s. The gamble paid off: this craft, adapted to the trends and fashions of the day, has enabled Pons Quintana to stand out from the crowd, asserting its own identity, its roots in tradition, but also its openness to the world. By 1990, the braided shoe had become a symbol!
Whether we're talking about woven shoes or shoes with sewn-on parts, all of them go through an in-depth quality control phase to ensure that each model meets the brand's standards of excellence. Each shoe is inspected to ensure there are no defects or imperfections. Each piece is individually hand-treated to ensure that it meets the highest quality standards in terms of both finish and comfort. In short, a production line where meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship are central to the process, from the selection of materials to the braiding and assembly of the pieces. Traditional craftsmanship meets the comfort and elegance of the modern world.
2024, a high-quality collection
It's clear that while environmental and social commitment are among the company's priorities, so is product quality. And when ancestral know-how is put to the service of comfort and modern aesthetic lines, wonders are born! So, in addition to the high quality of the materials chosen (a fundamental parameter), it is in fact the experience of wearing shoes that is at the center of the aim, as is style, always linked to Menorca, if only by the colors chosen.
In this respect, 2024 will be a floral explosion. Since the very creation of the company, color has been one of the points on which Pons Quintana - eager to explore new territories - has always distinguished itself in the world of footwear: boldness and innovation are the watchwords here! And the spring-summer 2024 collection has a few surprises in store! Including the traditional chromatic range, a collection of 40 different colors will be available in store. Lavender, pistachio, turquoise and even a bright strawberry-red hue will all be featured this year! Attractive off-white varieties will also be introduced, while metallic tones will gain ground.
But innovation this year will also be seen in the launch of new shapes and cuts: 42 models will be offered, including 20 completely new ones! Elegant, refined and original cuts! Another major new feature for Pons Quintana in 2024 is the introduction of floral motifs of all types and sizes. These motifs and decorations will be found sculpted into the leather as well as in the cut itself, or inlaid into the soles. Rhinestones and crystals will also brighten up certain models in the collection. Ballerinas will also feature prominently, as will moccasins. A pretty line of sandals and woven booties will also be on the menu. The Fidji model with its high heel will be one of the stars of the year: elegance and modernity mounted on 3, 5, 7 or 8 centimeters! In short, a year of color, light and originality!
Finally, it's worth noting that while the brand's headquarters have always remained on the island (it's possible to visit the factory, still in operation, at the same time as taking a tour of the Alaior store: a showroom allows you to appreciate the most recent models, and it's also possible to watch the craftsmen at work), its vocation extends beyond Europe, always with Made in Menorca as its banner! In addition to the showroom at the Alaior workshop, the brand has its own boutiques in Maó, Ciutadella, Madrid (outlet store) and Toledo, not to mention partner boutiques all over Europe and the Pons Quintana online store (website). In other words, this year, no one will have any trouble finding the right shoe!
