Haifa Alhumaid has been fascinated by the beauty of shoes ever since she was a child growing up in Saudi Arabia. Today, global demand is growing for her high-end designs, including her environmentally responsible shoes made out of processed mushroom fiber.
Saudi-born shoe designer Haifa Alhumaid is making a name for herself in the exclusive world of high-end footwear, while helping to steer the industry in a new, more sustainable direction.
In the last decade, the attention to detail and high quality of her Haifa Humaid brand of shoes have earned the designer the loyalty of discerning women from Milan to Riyadh and beyond.
Alhumaid is now ramping up production not only of her traditional leather footwear but also of an innovative range of shoes made out of a renewable, animal-free alternative: mushroom fiber.
“Using this alternative leather, we can save animal lives and reduce our carbon footprint, without any negative impact on the performance or quality of the shoes,” Alhumaid says. “It is just as good as ordinary leather, but much more ecologically sensitive.”
After experimenting with fibers from other exotic sources such as coconuts and tea leaves, Alhumaid made her first mushroom-based prototype in 2018. Thanks to innovations in nanotechnology, the alternative footwear is just as high-quality as other Haifa Humaid designs, and the strength and resilience of the fiber is such that she is still wearing those first shoes to this day.
“I am passionate about designing shoes that are works of art and make a statement.”
Haifa Alhumaid, shoe designer
Alhumaid’s journey to becoming one of the rising stars of the footwear industry has taken her from Saudi Arabia to business and fashion schools in London and Paris, and finally to Milan, the traditional heart of luxury shoemaking. Over the years, her high-end handmade shoes have earned her the respect of her peers and won her devoted customers around the world.
“I focus on femininity, high quality, and timelessness,” she says. “You can wear the shoes we make for 10 years. Our shoes meet the demands of a global market and we ship them worldwide.”
Enjoying rapid business growth in recent years, Alhumaid plans to increase production and expand into new sectors of the shoe market. She is also considering designing collections of bags and other personal items that match her shoe designs.
Wherever she turns her talents, Alhumaid says, sustainability will always be a priority.
“We all have a responsibility to the future. By sourcing naturally and sustainably, I want to reduce pollution and help preserve our world for generations to come.”
How easy was it to make your start in footwear?
At the beginning, I experienced a lot of rejection. This is a very traditional industry and it is not easy to get your break or access the best craftspeople. But one day, I told a very famous Italian designer about my passion. He asked me to show him how I sketched. I did a little sketch and I guess I impressed him! He gave me a chance because as an artisan, he recognized my passion. Then I started visiting the Milan footwear fair [MICAM Milano], learning about leather and new technologies. I began crafting my own shoes and launched my own brand, Haifa Humaid, at a special ceremony at the Venice Film Festival. Italian actresses and models wore my shoes on the red carpet. The response was fantastic.
What sort of women wear your shoes?
Women who like high-end, high-quality shoes. My customers are minimalist and chic. They invest in pieces that they will wear for years. The brand is positioned as high-end, high-quality, and handmade.
Where do you make the shoes?
My shoes go through three factories, in Venice, Turin, and Ancona. They are all made by hand with a lot of love and care. It is a very delicate process. We only use the very best leather from Italian artisans. We also make sure that 40% of each shoe can be recycled.
I do two seasons: fall/winter and spring/summer. Each season, I design 10 models for a total of around 1,500 pairs per year. We are going to increase production in the coming years.
What is it like being a Saudi female designer in this industry?
This is a male-dominated industry. About 90% of shoemakers are men. Saudi Arabia is providing support to entrepreneurs in the fashion business, which is making it easier for Saudi designers to access international markets. I have benefited from a program called Saudi 100 Brands, run by the Ministry of Culture and the Fashion Commission. They bring experts from the fashion industry around the world to give master classes [to Saudi designers].
The aim is for Riyadh to be a fashion capital by 2030. I see a bright future for women joining the fashion industry in Saudi Arabia
As published in Fortune magazine
