GFA’s Conversation with María del Carmen Maestre, Founder of INDIPROC

INDIPROC is an international incubator for footwear projects, empowering emerging designers and honoring a legacy of craftsmanship. Founded by María del Carmen Maestre, a third-generation member of a luxury footwear manufacturing family, INDIPROC bridges tradition and innovation to create sustainable, market-ready brands. With a mission to support small brands at every growth stage, INDIPROC offers tailored solutions in design, production, and business strategy. María’s unique approach blends her family’s heritage with a forward-thinking vision, creating a platform that nurtures creativity while ensuring that each brand is prepared for success in today’s competitive market. Read on to discover how INDIPROC is reshaping the future of footwear.

We spoke with María about her inspirations, INDIPROC’s unique approach, and how the partnership with the Global Footwear Awards (GFA) is shaping the future of footwear design.

What inspired you to create INDIPROC and how does it honour your family’s legacy in the footwear industry?

Inspiration comes from designers and the passion to build footwear brands that meet market needs and want to improve the world.
I am Mari Carmen Maestre. I am part of the third generation of a family of luxury footwear manufacturers, and this project honors my family and companies with the same characteristics because a business ecosystem has been created adapted for small brands so that there is a specialized structure at each stage of growth for the brands and helping the continuity of the sector.

How has INDIPROC’s mission evolved since its foundation, especially in response to the needs of emerging designers?

It has evolved progressively, and we increasingly have a more prepared team in training, product mentoring, marketing, finance, and HR…, to accommodate new talent.

What makes INDIPROC’s approach unique compared to other incubators or accelerators in the footwear industry?

Indiproc is unique because it is a company that combines training with the profession.
We specialize in creating from scratch and integrating brands from 3D or physical design, with the contribution of the know-how of previous generations, both in auxiliary companies and shoe and bag manufacturers.

How did the Global Footwear Awards association come about and what synergies do you see between the two organizations?

Before contacting you, we were in the stage of doing training integrations in universities, covering modules that would add value and new concepts. It was my colleague Paula who told me about you. She knew you and followed you on social networks. From the first moment I loved the idea and we immediately contacted you to get to know you a little better, from that moment on, we were very willing to join and collaborate with you by contributing all our knowledge and know-how.
Your company Global Footwear Awards puts talent and support in the spotlight, we are the perfect team to materialize the designs and shape the project from a business perspective so that it enters the market well prepared.

What impact do you expect the mentoring program to have on the career of the winner of the independent designer category? 

The objective is to achieve a product and business impact in the medium to long term, creating a brand driving force from the start so that the business part is aligned with the design part.

How do you adapt the consulting sessions for the finalist and winning students to address the challenges they face in the transition to the professional world?

First, a conversation is held with the interested parties to analyze their situation as a brand and how far along they are in their project, to adapt the team they need at each moment and thus create a roadmap.

What are the most common challenges faced by emerging footwear designers and how does INDIPROC help them overcome these obstacles?

The challenges are usually the construction of the brand, which includes:

• Business plan
• Viability plan
• Brand strategy
• Design
• Distribution channels
• Time
• Trade fairs, among others.

At Indiproc, we align all areas with a fully prepared multidisciplinary team.

Can you share a success story of an emerging designer or brand that has significantly benefited from INDIPROC programs?

Of course, I would like to mention the Flordeasoka brand, led by Tita Guerrero, a very nice family project that, together with her daughters Elena and Ines, has known how to grow as a brand and position itself very well in the market.
They started with customization, defining their target audience, which they wanted to address, and began to create small productions. In a few years, it became a leading Spanish brand.
Personally, I feel very grateful and proud to be part of this project. Today, the Flordeasoka brand is totally independent and has its own business structure.

How has INDIPROC adopted technology such as 3D design to empower the next generation of footwear designers?

We have a professional team in 3D design, providing all the knowledge so that the designer has technical and professional support. We digitalize lasts and textured materials to develop designs from scratch. We even create our own molds for decorations, heels, etc.

What are some of the most exciting trends or innovations that you see shaping the future of the footwear industry?

Eco-design and the integration of sustainable, reusable, and technological materials.

How is INDIPROC helping designers and brands to incorporate sustainability and R&D into their practices?

Indiproc collaborates with Inescop (footwear technology institute), with eco-design training and specific certifications, so that brands are prepared to go to market with value and commitment, doing all kinds of mechanical and usage checks.

Do you think that the shift towards independent and artisanal brands is transforming the global footwear market? If so, how?

Yes, the evolution of brands is in addressing their target audience, whether artisanal or towards a more global market. Personally, I think both are valid; it depends on the brand approach and how far the entrepreneur/designer wants to cover.
Behind every project, there is an evolution that starts from know-how and craftsmanship, which are bases that we must always take into account when designing.

What are your objectives for INDIPROC in the next five years? Is there any future project or partnership that you are particularly excited about?

The main objective is to reach the total production of the collaborating factories and new integrations.
Each project is unique and different because each brand is the extension of the personality of the person who creates it. For this reason, each selected project has to transmit a lot of soul to us.

How do you imagine INDIPROC’s role in promoting innovation and sustainability within the footwear industry on a global scale?

I see it very prepared because we have partners who are audited and certified.

What advice would you give to aspiring footwear designers who are just starting out in the industry?

I advise them to have a lot of passion, direction, and motivation. The Indiproc team will walk hand in hand with them until they are ready to take the leap.

Learn more about INDIPROC – www.incubadoracalzadoindiproc.org

Contact: (+34) 965 201 124
E-mail: info@incubadoracalzadoindiproc.org