With their current base of operations, the new Rueda manufacturing facility occupies an area of 2000 square meters where no glue or any kind of plastic is used for the making of these shoes. Simply cotton and jute, the whole shoe is put together with a thick cotton string that traverses the jute braided sole through to the upper body of the shoe, creating a completely biodegradable product.
Its definition and genealogy refer to a canvas shoe with jute or hemp rope soles, illustrating the proletarian footwear brought to Argentina by Spanish and French Basques in the 19th century. The precursor of local production was Juan Etchegaray, founder of Alpargatas Rueda. In 1870 he designed the first pairs using canvas purchased from Douglas Frazer and Sons, a Scottish firm dedicated to materials for candles.
This style of shoe was born as a fresh proposal for rural needs in Argentina. When big cities began to populate and customs changed, Rueda adapted to these changes with slight variations in products over time, but always maintaining their original essence. After having moved local production to Uruguay in 1990, in 2011 the firm returned to national production from a plant located in the province of Tucumán.
In 1895, when most of life took place in the countryside, Alpargatas Calzado SA launched the Rueda brand, becoming the first all-handmade espadrilles in Argentina. Made by Argentineans, worn by Gauchos in the countryside and Bochofilos in towns, the Alpagatas (espadrilles) started to become a staple, with their original design maintained and unaltered over time.
Re-invigorating, re-introducing local ancestral techniques, adapting to modern need.
From the ground to the finished product, made at the source of the raw materials.
Organic, recycled or biodegradable materials and processes.
Worldwide team members and partners receive more than average wages and salaries.
No intermediaries or agents, every production is developed and monitored by IOAN.
