Why Slow Fashion Matters ... And Why Handmade Sandals From the Amalfi Coast Are the Perfect Example

No one ever says, “I’ll never forget buying this at Zara.”

But I can’t tell you how many times I’ve met women who say, “I had sandals made in Capri 20 years ago… and I’ve never forgotten it.”

That’s the difference between fast fashion and slow fashion. Between profit and scale… and intention and care.

We all know the fashion industry has a dark side. Clothes that barely last a season. Landfills overflowing. And working conditions that keep prices cheap, but come at a human cost.

And with the media showing us the “latest must-have,” it’s easy to get caught in the cycle. I’m not perfect either, I’ve made plenty of choices that weren’t slow or sustainable.

But we can do better. Traditional ways still exist, and they’re more relevant than ever.

On the Amalfi Coast, artisans are still doing this so beautifully. Creating shoes that are timeless, crafted with care and intention.

I remember the first time I stepped into a sandal shop in Positano. The artisan wasn’t rushing. He wasn’t trying to convince me to buy. He simply worked with skilled hands and a keen eye for detail, shaping soft Italian leather into sandals made just for me. I got to choose the style, the colour, even the smallest details. And within 30 minutes, I walked out with sandals that fit not just my feet… but me.

That experience has always stayed with me and it was the spark for what I do today.

And I’ve heard the same story over and over again from women across the world. Decades later, they still remember the sandals they had made on the Amalfi Coast. Most still wear them. All of them treasure the memory.

That’s what slow fashion — and especially a craft like Bespoke Italian Sandal Making — gives us. It’s not just about the product. It’s not about having more. It’s about having meaning.

A reminder that beauty, when made with care, will outlast every trend.

And maybe that’s what we need more of, not the constant chase for the “next new thing,” but pieces that feel personal, timeless, and worth remembering.