The Direct-to-Consumer Brand Encouraging You to ‘Slouch Into the Weirdness’

In this new feature, Brand Spotlight, we highlight the under-the-radar brands our editors are coveting, wearing and loving.

The first time I saw a pair of Labucq sandals, it was (where else?) on Instagram. Hannah Baxter, an editor at The Coveteur in New York, posted a picture of her feet shod in lime green chunky-heeled sandals worn with a pair of cloudy tie-dye socks. Something about the sandals immediately caught my attention: the glossy patent leather, the There was something about these sandals: the glossy patent leather, the simple elegance of the criss-cross strap and the minimal, no-nonsense buckle all spoke to something deep within my soul. And in response, a tiny voice that loops directly from my heart to my brain cried out, ‘Buy me.’

Founded by Lauren Bucquet, the former Director of Footwear and Accessories at Rag & Bone, Labucq runs on a direct-to-consumer model that is able produce high quality Italian-made shoes that sell for less than 55% of what they would cost at retail. Not only are the shoes well-made, Labucq designs have a quirky, playful air about them. They’re fashion forward but don’t give me a hollow sense of déjà vu like the majority of mass market brands making shoes you’ve seen elsewhere at least 30 times before. They’re classic yet untraditional. (Which is probably why they looked so darn fetching paired with tie-dye socks.)

A pair of the lime green sandals languished in my cart for a few days, until an e-mail arrived in in my inbox with the subject line: ‘Why To Buy Labucq Shoes.’ The note outlined the small, family-owned Italian factory the shoes are made in and the brand’s lack of overhead. “In sum, we are offering a contemporary designer product, Made in Italy, with a lower markup than our retail peers. We hope you’ll love them.” Sold.

Oh, and one last thing. Their tagline is, “Slouching into the weirdness.” How could I resist?

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