Fernando Echeverría is an Ecuadorian‑born designer and artisan crafting in Prague since 2011. Grounded in a family tradition of leatherworking since 1930 and a graduate of the Academy of Arts, Architecture, and Design in Prague, he fuses his heritage with European style to create distinctive leather shoes and accessories exhibited around the world.
Each piece is masterfully crafted and meticulously finished in his SmetanaQ studio, where tradition and contemporary vision merge in timeless harmony.
For Fernando, true luxury is defined by honest materials, integrity of process, and responsible sourcing. Through transparent, sustainable practices and a celebration of artisan skill, he creates designs that transcend trends
SCULPTURAL HANDBAGS
What are the limits of a material? What defines the boundaries of what a bag should be? In this section, you'll discover my answer. Each piece is a work of art in itself, entirely unique and unlike anything you’ve seen that could be called a bag. Here, I fully explore my creativity and passion for innovation. Each creation is one-of-a-kind, part of an ultra-limited edition, yet crafted with the same quality and craftsmanship as traditional leatherwork, using cowhide in Prague.
Leather sculptures—or perhaps jewelry—you decide.
“Kožené boty s ekvádorským šmrncem.
Mladý designér vzkřísil v Praze rodinnou tradici” Hospodářské Noviny.
“Leather shoes and bags with Ecuadorian roots.
A young designer resurrected a family tradition in Prague”
“The Ecuadorian designer found inspiration in Moravian folklore and Czech Cubism. Sewing classic shoes is boring for me, says Fernando Echeverria” Czechdesign.
Family tradition since 1930:
My roots come from a town named Cotacachi, in the Andes of Ecuador. That small city in the middle of the mountains and lakes is specialized in leather crafts, a tradition brought from South of Spain.My father and grandfather were saddlers developing their unique techniques and following the tradition of leather crafters.For my parents, It was a surprise that I would not be a doctor or engineer but a designer specializing in leather. Leather is in my blood.
Footwear as art :
Why do you use traditional shoemaking techniques?
It’s very important for me to revive shoemaking. Most shoemakers in Prague and Europe are great, they are craftsmen. But it is extremely difficult to change their minds.
They have a clear idea in their head of how a shoe can be made and what it should look like. Such a shoe is technically perfect. But as a designer, I need to innovate, discover new ways and break the rules. For others, I may be weird that I make weird shoes and I don’t follow the rules.
Copyright © 2024 Fernando Echeverria
OPENING HOURS
Showroom & Shop :
Wednesday – Friday
13:00 – 19:00
Saturday
11:00 – 18:00
Atelier and Personal meeting :
Under appointment
ADRESS
Smetanovo nábř. 334/4 first floor (SmetanaQ Showroom )
110 00 , Prague, Czech Republic.
info@ferech.com
+420 777647925