Betzábe González on Finding Inspiration in Her Mexican Culture, Working With an All-Female Team and Opening Doors for More Latina Designers: Women Who Rock
Betzábe González, founder of the luxury footwear label Betzábe, first learned about the craft of shoemaking in her birthplace of Guadalajara, Mexico.
In conversation with Footwear News senior editor Nikara Johns at the annual FN x Two Ten Women Who Rock event in New York City on Feb. 4, the independent designer explained how she got into the industry.
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“I saw the local artisan creating a beautiful and functional pair of shoes from scratch. I was amazed by what he was able to create. That started my passion for the art of shoemaking,” she shared. “I put that on the side, I went on to get my MBA. It wasn’t until I had my two daughters that I decided that it was time for me to really follow my passion. So I went on to Italy where I studied at Arsutoria and it was then that I felt like this is what I truly love to do.”
Her namesake brand was launched at the beginning of 2024 and thus far, the Italian-made shoes have been worn by stars such as Elle Fanning and Elizabeth Hurley. Describing Betzábe as “a brand that’s modern, feminine and with a touch of sporty glam,” González is inspired by her Mexican culture, women and her two daughters, who are very active in sports.
Her vibrant creations nod back to her roots. “I’m Mexican, so there’s lots of color, there’s a lot of color blocking,” she said.
González reflected on the significance of being a Latina designer in the fashion industry, specifically within the luxury niche.
“I’m extremely proud and honored to be a Latina. I’m privileged to be able to, through my collections, show a little bit of my culture. I try to add elements — for example, these boots. I’m from Guadalajara so there’s Charros. So I wanted a little bit of a nod to Texas boots with a little bit of sporty glam. So it’s always in my mind when I’m designing. I want to share my story. Also being a Latina, I want that responsibility to be able to help young designers that are Latin as well, to help open doors for them.”
Notably, Betzábe is a company run entirely by women, a team of six. (Though she added her husband deserves credit for pitching in as well.)
The founder said of working with an all-female group, “What I love most is that we truly do support each other. There’s definitely no egos. Because we are small we wear so many different hats. Sometimes we’re the sales team. Sometimes we’re the design team. Sometimes we’re the warehouse and the QC. You name the task and one of us will raise our hands to complete it. So I love working with this passionate, dedicated group of women and I’m so grateful to be able to have them as part of my team.”
González acknowledged how difficult it can be for independent designers to get their creations recognized, though she expressed gratitude to Nordstrom for spotlighting her company. She suggested retailers could create a “designated space” to showcase up-and-coming talent, also noting that consumers desire new creations. She additionally emphasized the importance of mentorship.
Next up, González aims to take her brand international and expand into the realm of handbags and accessories. She added, “I would love to collaborate. I would love to collaborate with other Latin designers and tell our stories [from] different perspectives.”
Launch Gallery: Betzábe Spring 2025 Collection
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