Corthay
Corthay is a French luxury men's footwear maison founded in 1990, operating direct-to-consumer through eight global boutiques and e-commerce. It sells handcrafted shoes, leather accessories, and bespoke commissions distinguished by proprietary patina artistry and traditional French shoemaking craftsmanship.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1990
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Corthay does
Corthay is a French luxury men's footwear house founded in 1990 by Pierre Corthay, operating as MAGE SAS and headquartered at 1 Rue Volney, Paris, where its original bespoke atelier remains. The company designs, manufactures, and sells handcrafted shoes across six core categories — derbies, monk straps (Arca), Oxfords (Vendome), Chelsea boots (Bella), loafers (Portofino, Cannes), and sneakers (Carl, Pilat) — plus a complementary accessories line of leather bags (Zermatt) and belts (Bold C, C, Frame). Its underlying craft technology centers on traditional French shoemaking, including Goodyear construction and a proprietary patina finishing service in which pigments are hand-applied in layered nuances to produce unique color variations on leather. A library of proprietary lasts (Sèvres, Odeon, Bel-Air, Saint-Germain, Pullman) supports both ready-to-wear production at the Beaupréau-en-Mauges manufacture (17 craftsmen, operational since 2014) and bespoke work executed in Paris.
The business is organized around a fully direct-to-consumer model, with no wholesale or third-party retail. Distribution runs through owned e-commerce (corthay.com, shipping to 40+ countries including a dedicated China storefront) and eight boutiques located in Paris, London, Hong Kong (Central), Beijing and Wuhan (both at SKP), Tokyo (Isetan Shinjuku), Osaka (Hankyu), and Seoul (Cheongdam). Revenue is generated through one-time purchases of ready-to-wear shoes (€500–€2,100), accessories (€190–€2,000), and premium-tier bespoke commissions (Grande-Mesure, plus the Petite Mesure semi-bespoke service launched in 2021). Pricing tops out above €10,000 for exotic-skin and full bespoke orders, with extended production lead times of up to 12 weeks for personalized items. Customers comprise affluent men seeking distinctive, handcrafted footwear and ultra-high-net-worth individuals commissioning bespoke work; personalization and the patina signature underpin the value proposition against mass-luxury alternatives.
Corthay firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Corthay
- Legal name
- MAGE SAS
- Website
- https://corthay.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1990
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Corthay is a French luxury men's footwear maison founded in 1990, operating direct-to-consumer through eight global boutiques and e-commerce. It sells handcrafted shoes, leather accessories, and bespoke commissions distinguished by proprietary patina artistry and traditional French shoemaking craftsmanship.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Corthay industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Luxury Men's Footwear
- NAICS
- Footwear Manufacturing (31621), Shoe Retailers (4582), Other Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing (31699)
- SIC
- Footwear, (No Rubber) (3140), Retail-Shoe Stores (5661), Leather & Leather Products (3100)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Luxury & Designer Footwear (CRAAACAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Dress & Formal Footwear (CRAAACAC), Luxury Leather Goods & Handbags (CRAKAFAB)
Keywords
Where Corthay is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices9 records
Markets served
Corthay business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Luxury footwear sales: One-time purchase model for ready-to-wear luxury shoes. Products range from €500 to over €10,000 for exotic leather options. Includes leather goods (bags, belts) as complementary category. Bespoke commissions represent premium tier offerings with extended production timelines.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Ready-to-wear luxury shoes |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Bespoke and custom orders |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Accessories (bags and belts) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels6 records
Corthay product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Corthay designs, handcrafts, and sells luxury men's leather footwear across six core categories (derbies, monk straps, oxfords, Chelsea boots, loafers, sneakers) plus complementary leather accessories such as bags and belts. The offering is anchored by signature hand-applied patina finishing, an online personalization configurator, and tiered bespoke services (Petite Mesure and Grande-Mesure) delivered through the Rue Volney atelier in Paris. Production takes place at the Beaupréau-en-Mauges manufacture in Maine-et-Loire and a Portuguese facility for select sneaker models, with distribution via owned e-commerce and retail boutiques worldwide.
Product overview
Corthay is a French luxury footwear brand offering a comprehensive collection of men's shoes and accessories. The core product line includes six main shoe categories: Derbies (Derby shoes), Souliers à boucles (Monk straps), Richelieus (Oxfords), Bottines (Boots), Mocassins (Loafers), and Sneakers. The brand's iconic models include the Arca, Bella (celebrating 20 years), Vendome, Carl, Pilat, and Portofino. Beyond ready-to-wear, Corthay offers three distinct personalization tiers: an online personalization tool for customizing parameters like lining, piping, and outsoles; the Petite Mesure semi-bespoke service (launched 2021) adapting ready-to-wear lasts; and the full bespoke Grande-Mesure service at their Rue Volney atelier. The accessories portfolio includes leather bags (Zermatt) and belts (Bold C, C Belt, Frame). All products feature the brand's signature patina hand-painting service. Production spans two facilities: the Beaupréau-en-Mauges manufacture in France for main shoes, and Portugal for select models like sneakers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Derbies (Derby Shoes)
Quantifiable outcome
- Shoes can last at least twenty years with proper care
Companies that use Corthay
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Corthay technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Corthay partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- DormeuilminorCollaboration between Corthay and Dormeuil celebrating the 100th anniversary of Sportex® fabric. Dormeuil's waterproof technical wool, introduced in 1922, was used to create a limited edition Carl sneaker. The collaboration combines Corthay's shoemaking expertise with Dormeuil's heritage fabric technology.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Corthay competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
Direct peers
- Church's: Prada-owned English Northampton-made luxury men's footwear brand with classic dress silhouettes. Comparable to Corthay on price tier, men's dress/casual assortment, and international luxury department-store distribution.
- Bontoni: Italian luxury men's shoemaker producing hand welted shoes in a small Marche atelier. Closely comparable to Corthay on ultra-small artisan scale, bespoke offering, and ultra-premium pricing for collectors.
- Berluti: LVMH-owned luxury men's footwear maison renowned for its patina work (the 'Venezia' leather) and bespoke services. Directly comparable to Corthay on target customer, patina craft DNA, and Paris flagship atelier heritage.
- Santoni: Italian family-owned luxury footwear maker with bespoke, made-to-order, and ready-to-wear men's lines plus leather goods. Comparable to Corthay on Made-in-Europe craftsmanship, premium price points, and patina/color customization heritage.
- JM Weston: French family-controlled luxury shoemaker producing Goodyear-welted men's shoes in its own Limoges factory. Comparable to Corthay on Made-in-France positioning, classic-to-contemporary men's assortment, and DTC boutique footprint in Europe and Asia.
- Crockett & Jones: British Northampton-made Goodyear-welted luxury footwear brand distributed through its own boutiques and agents worldwide. Comparable to Corthay on men's classic-luxury positioning, in-house manufacture, and global boutique/agent footprint.
- John Lobb: Hermès-owned bespoke and ready-to-wear luxury men's shoemaker with Paris and London ateliers. Comparable to Corthay on bespoke heritage, premium pricing, and global luxury retail presence.
- Edward Green: British Northampton-made luxury men's shoemaker with a small-batch, hand-finished approach. Directly comparable to Corthay on artisan production, conservative scaling, and traditional craftsmanship positioning at the top of the market.
Broad incumbents
- Hermès Shoes Division: Hermès owns John Lobb and a broader luxury footwear/leather goods portfolio. Comparable to Corthay as a benchmark for how a luxury maison scales artisan footwear with adjacent leather goods, but operates at vastly greater scale and capital base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Corthay social profiles
Digital presenceCorthay financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Corthay leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Corthay funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Corthay M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Corthay
What does Corthay do?
Corthay designs, handcrafts, and sells luxury men's leather footwear across six core categories (derbies, monk straps, oxfords, Chelsea boots, loafers, sneakers) plus complementary leather accessories such as bags and belts. The offering is anchored by signature hand-applied patina finishing, an online personalization configurator, and tiered bespoke services (Petite Mesure and Grande-Mesure) delivered through the Rue Volney atelier in Paris. Production takes place at the Beaupréau-en-Mauges manufacture in Maine-et-Loire and a Portuguese facility for select sneaker models, with distribution via owned e-commerce and retail boutiques worldwide.
Is Corthay a public or private company?
Corthay is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Corthay founded?
Corthay was founded in 1990. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Corthay based?
Corthay is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does Corthay make money?
One revenue line is on record: luxury footwear sales.
Who are Corthay's main competitors?
Stefano Bemer is listed as an others. Direct peers are Church's, Bontoni, Berluti, Santoni, JM Weston, Crockett & Jones, John Lobb and Edward Green. Hermès Shoes Division is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Corthay have an API?
No public API is recorded for Corthay.
What industry is Corthay in?
Corthay's product category is Luxury Men's Footwear. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAAACAI, Luxury & Designer Footwear, with a secondary code of CRAAACAC, Dress & Formal Footwear. Its NAICS code is 31621 and its SIC code is 3140.