Brazilian footwear has been winning over retailers around the globe not only for its tradition, production flexibility, and diversity of materials and categories, but also for its design and creativity that reflect the soul of the country. Culture, color, and joy are part of the DNA of the world’s fourth-largest footwear producer — the biggest in the West. The fourth episode of the BF Talks series dives into this unique Brazilian design. In the video above, see how Brazilian designers connect brand identity to different markets through the cases of Kidy Calçados, S2 Holding, and Usaflex.

The episode features Fernando Eduardo Müller, Creative Director at Usaflex; Luciana Nigro, Creative Director at S2 Holding; and Marcelo Silva, Development and Creation Manager at Kidy Calçados. Originality, boldness, and innovation are the three words that define the importance of design for the Brazilian footwear industry. “We are much more joyful than any other country. That joy is expressed not only through color, but also through the wide variety of products we create. We excel in children's footwear, in comfort-focused styles, and in products with a more sporty appeal,” says Müller, who leads the creative team at Usaflex — a team that faces the challenge of developing around 400 new models without falling into repetitive concepts.

According to Luciana, a passion for design has driven the Kenner and Redley brands — part of the S2 Holding group — to constantly reinvent themselves. “Staying curious and keeping the desire to think differently is what fuels our brands. A designer must always be tuned in. We have to believe we are ready to face the world with the very best of Brazilian design,” she says, highlighting that the creative process involves multiple areas — after all, “a designer doesn’t think alone.” At Kidy, the first step is to listen and understand what children want. “Kids are demanding, and we begin with research involving them directly. We also have a customer committee, and everything we create and develop is built collaboratively. With our motto, health and comfort, we invest heavily in technology. These innovations serve as an added differentiator for our footwear,” explains Silva.