ESPIGAS

What ESPIGAS does

ESPIGAS (legally 7 SARDINES SAS) is a Marseille-based direct-to-consumer footwear and apparel brand founded in 2013 by B\u00e9reng\u00e8re and Olivier. The company designs, manufactures, and sells handcrafted espadrilles alongside a broader product portfolio that includes sneakers, boots, slippers, marinière shirts, scarves, tote bags, and a sub-brand of upcycled accessories (Canal 16 Lab) made from decommissioned maritime equipment. Production is centralized at the ESAT du Rouet workshop in Marseille, where artisans with disabilities handcraft each pair using traditional techniques — glue assembly, halogenation, 6-bar press construction, and precision syringe finishing — using cotton canvas uppers, leather insoles, rubber outsoles, and memory-foam midsoles in the sneaker line. A higher-priced artist collection features individually hand-painted designs.

Name

ESPIGAS

Legal name

7 SARDINES SAS

Website

https://espigas-store.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ESPIGAS is a Marseille-based direct-to-consumer footwear and apparel brand that designs and handcrafts espadrilles, sneakers, boots, and accessories at the ESAT du Rouet workshop using traditional artisanal techniques, selling to individual consumers in France, Scandinavia, and the US via its e-commerce site and a single Marseille boutique.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Handcrafted Espadrilles and Footwear

NAICS

Other Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing (316990), Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (3159), Textile Bag and Canvas Mills (314910)

SIC

Leather & Leather Products (3100)

akta.pro primary industry

Wallets, Small Leather Goods & Accessories Manufacturing (IMAOAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bag & Accessory Components/Hardware (Straps, Buckles, Zippers) (CRAAAJAJ), Leather Goods Components & Subassemblies Manufacturing (Straps/Handles/Hardware Assemblies) (IMAOAHAI)

Keywords

• Handcrafted espadrilles
• Made in france footwear
• Artisan espadrille manufacturing
• Sustainable fashion accessories
• Upcycled bagagerie

Headquarters

HQ city

Marseille

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Direct Product Sales: One-time sale of espadrilles, sneakers, boots, slippers, clothing and accessories through e-commerce and physical boutique. Products range from €12-140. Includes personalized artist collection espadrilles with 7-10 day additional production time.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ESPIGAS designs, handcrafts, and sells espadrilles (its core product) for women and men, complemented by sneakers, boots, slippers, apparel (marinière shirts, chèches, wool scarves), and accessories (cotton tote bags, belt bags, laces). Production is carried out in a Marseille workshop through a partnership with ESAT du Rouet employing artisans with disabilities, and distribution happens via the brand's own e-commerce site and a single physical boutique. A sub-brand, Canal 16 Lab, sells upcycled bags made from decommissioned maritime equipment.

Product overview

ESPIGAS is a Marseille-based footwear and apparel brand specializing in handcrafted espadrilles made in France. The product portfolio centers on espadrilles for women and men as the core offering, supplemented by sneakers, boots, and slippers. The brand also offers a complementary clothing line including marinière shirts, cotton chèches, and wool scarves, as well as accessories such as cotton tote bags, belt bags, and laces. A distinct sub-brand called Canal 16 Lab creates upcycled bags from decommissioned maritime equipment. The company operates an inclusive manufacturing model through partnership with ESAT du Rouet, employing artisans with disabilities. Products are distributed through the e-commerce store and a physical boutique in Marseille.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Canal 16 Lab: Line of eco-responsible bags made from upcycled maritime equipment (survival rafts, life vests, diving suits) transformed into durable luggage items including backpacks, bike panniers, travel bags, and belt bags.

Products and services

• Espadrilles Femme (Women's Espadrilles) Handmade canvas espadrilles for women featuring leather insoles for comfort without transpiration, rubber outsoles for grip and durability, and a comfort elastic on the instep. Includes printed, striped marinière, solid color, woven, and knit varieties priced from €48.30 to €69.00.
• Espadrilles Homme (Men's Espadrilles) Handmade canvas espadrilles for men with breathable leather insoles and anti-slip rubber soles, featuring fun proverbs printed on the inner soles; priced from €48.30 to €69.00.
• Sneakers Femme (Women's Sneakers) Cotton sneakers for women with memory foam insoles, EVA rubber soles, available in bicolor, vintage, and lined designs; priced from €49 to €99.
• Sneakers Homme (Men's Sneakers) Lightweight cotton sneakers for men featuring EVA foam soles, memory foam insoles, and breathable materials in various colors and patterns; priced from €49 to €99.
• Boots Femme (Women's Boots) Winter boots for women made from velvet or wool with insulating polar fleece lining and anti-slip rubber soles; priced from €119 to €140.
• Boots Homme (Men's Boots) Winter boots and ankle boots for men featuring corded velvet or tweed with polar fleece lining, memory foam insoles, and two pairs of laces; priced €119-140.
• Chaussons Femme (Women's Slippers) Wool slippers for women with leather insoles and durable rubber soles, suitable for indoor/outdoor use as a modern alternative to traditional Charentaises; priced €49-69.
• Chaussons Homme (Men's Slippers) Wool slippers for men with leather insoles and anti-slip rubber soles, designed for both indoor comfort and outdoor excursions; priced €49-69.
• Collection Artiste (Hand-Painted Artist Espadrille Collection) One-of-a-kind hand-painted espadrilles created by artists with designs such as Sardines, Méduse, Figues, and Cerises; priced at approximately €130 per pair.
• Canal 16 Lab (Upcycled Maritime Bagagerie) Sub-brand line of eco-responsible bags made from upcycled maritime equipment (survival rafts, life vests, diving suits) transformed into backpacks, totes, belt bags, pouches, bike panniers, and weekender bags; pricing from €40 to €140.
• Marinière Femme (Women's Sailor Shirt) Women's sailor shirts made in France from thick, high-quality cotton, available in sizes S to XXL for year-round wear; priced at €89.
• Marinière Homme (Men's Sailor Shirt) Men's sailor shirts crafted from thick, high-quality cotton in France, with classic fit and high durability.
• Chèche en Coton (Cotton Chèche Scarf) Cotton chèches available for men and women in multiple colors, light and soft, suited for mid-season or cool summer evenings; priced at €12.
• Écharpe en Laine (Wool Scarf) Wool scarves for men and women, warm and thick with soft textures, available in multiple colors including orange, blue, purple, grey, navy, and turquoise; priced at €19.
• Sac Cabas Coton (Cotton Tote Bag) Oversized cotton tote bags made in France from ultra-thick cotton with ESPIGAS embroidery, designed for daily use and high durability.
• Sac Banane (Belt Bag) Belt bags made from repurposed tent canvas (Fanette model) or upcycled maritime equipment, with sturdy clasps and adjustable straps.
• Lacets Colorés (Colored Laces) Flat acrylic colored laces, 80 cm long, available in 8 colors for men and women; priced €5-6.

Quantifiable outcome

• Every pair of espadrilles handcrafted by artisans with disabilities at ESAT du Rouet workshop

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Canal 16 LabcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Joint initiative for upcycled bagagerie from decommissioned maritime equipment (survival rafts, life vests, diving suits). Located at less than 10km from transformation workshops, transforming 20 tons of waste annually into durable bags and accessories. Both brands share the 'Fabriqué à Marseille' label.
• Ville de MarseillecoreOthers · 1 January 2024City of Marseille awarded ESPIGAS the official 'Fabriqué à Marseille' label recognizing local production, qualitative craftsmanship, and social/environmental commitments. Part of first cohort of 107 companies.
• ESAT du RouetcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Manufacturing partnership for espadrille production at Marseille workshop (13012). Artisans with disabilities (handi-artisans) handcraft each pair using traditional techniques. This partnership is central to ESPIGAS's social enterprise mission of inclusive employment.
• Lesitedumadeinfrance.frminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing partnership with France's first search engine for Made in France products. Platform features 40,000+ products from 600+ brands promoting French manufacturing and local economy.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Veja: French sustainable sneaker and casual footwear brand emphasizing ethical sourcing and transparency. Comparable on French origin, sustainability narrative, sneakers/canvas footwear and DTC-led growth, though at much larger scale.
• Manebi: Italian espadrille and summer footwear brand selling handmade canvas shoes internationally via DTC. Direct overlap on product category, Mediterranean heritage and price-point positioning in the €50-€200 range.
• Les Tropéziennes Paris: French Mediterranean sandal and espadrille brand with broad DTC and retail distribution across Europe. Comparable on summer footwear, French origin and women's espadrille core, with broader category breadth (sandals, boots).
• Faguo: French footwear and apparel brand built around sustainable materials (recycled, FSC-certified) and tree-planting commitments. Similar French-origin DTC model and eco-positioning, with comparable size and customer base.
• Bobbies: French shoes and accessories brand offering espadrilles, sneakers and loafers with a heritage French aesthetic. Comparable on product mix (espadrilles, sneakers), French DTC model and accessories extension.
• Art of Soule: Basque/French artisanal espadrille maker emphasizing handmade production and natural materials. Closest peer to ESPIGAS on craft positioning, sustainable materials and small-batch artisanal ethos.
• Armistice: French casual footwear brand (part of Texto/Aerosol group) selling sneakers and boots in DTC and retail across Europe. Overlaps with ESPIGAS on sneakers, boots, slippers and French-made positioning.
• Castañer: Heritage Spanish espadrille manufacturer founded in 1777, the benchmark artisanal espadrille brand in Europe. Directly comparable to ESPIGAS on product category (espadrilles), handmade construction and Mediterranean positioning, though at significantly larger scale and global distribution.

Broad incumbents

• Le Coq Sportif: Iconic French sportswear and casual footwear brand with broad DTC and wholesale distribution. Overlaps with ESPIGAS on canvas sneakers, French heritage and lifestyle positioning; competes as a much larger incumbent.

Emerging players

• Tropicfeel: Barcelona-based sustainable travel gear and footwear brand with circular-economy messaging. Comparable to ESPIGAS / Canal 16 Lab on sustainability narrative and travel-oriented bags/footwear, though oriented to backpackers and digital nomads.

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/espigas__
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/espigas

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ESPIGAS