Style, comfort, expertise, materials: the answers to the questions you have about our shoes.
GENERAL
Every BIKKOU shoe is born from a moment. A Monday morning at the office, a dinner, drinks with friends, a night that goes on and on… We first imagine the woman who will wear it and the moment she is about to experience.
The design is then built around this idea: its shape, its height, its comfort, but also the material that will give it its character. Designed in Geneva and handcrafted in Porto, our shoes combine European craftsmanship with innovative, animal-free materials.
Because at BIKKOU, innovation is not the end goal. It is the starting point of desire.
BIKKOU shoes are designed in Geneva and handcrafted in Porto, Portugal, a region renowned for its expertise in shoemaking.
We work with European artisans and suppliers to develop our models, from the shapes and heels to the choice of materials and finishes. This proximity allows us to oversee every step of the creation process and to prioritize short-circuit European production.
BIKKOU is a footwear brand born and conceived in Geneva. Our collections are available in our boutique located at 32, Grand-Rue, in the heart of Geneva's Old Town, as well as on our online store.
You can discover and try on our pumps, sandals, flats, loafers, and ankle boots, all designed without animal leather and manufactured in Europe. The boutique also offers the opportunity to receive personalized advice on styles, fit, and sizing.
Comfort
Pointed-toe shoes may offer less space at the front of the foot than a rounded or square shape. You should therefore take into account not only your usual size, but also the width of your foot.
If you are between sizes or have a wider foot, a larger size may be preferable depending on the style. As the fit can vary from one shape to another, BIKKOU provides specific recommendations on each product page. If in doubt, we can also advise you personally before you place your order.
The comfort of a high-heeled shoe does not depend solely on its height. Balance, the angle of the foot, support, and above all the last upon which the shoe is built all play an essential role.
At BIKKOU, we have developed our own lasts with our artisans in Porto. After multiple phases of fittings and corrections, each last has been adjusted and tested until achieving the right balance between aesthetics and comfort. Our heels have also been custom-designed and developed, then manufactured from recycled fibers.
No. And that is a question we are often asked. Sweating does not simply depend on whether a shoe is made of leather or not. Its construction, the materials used, and especially those in direct contact with the foot play an important role in the comfort experienced.
That is why, for our closed shoes, we have worked particularly hard on the interior. Our insoles are plant-based, made from corn and enriched with aloe vera, to offer a soft and pleasant feel against the skin, even when the shoes are worn barefoot.
In practice, you do not sweat more in a pair of BIKKOU than in a traditional shoe. The choice of innovative materials was not only meant to change what is seen on the outside: the comfort also had to be felt on the inside.
Subjects
Yes. New generations of materials now make it possible to work on flexibility, feel, appearance, and durability without using animal leather.
But replacing leather is not enough to make a beautiful shoe. Quality also relies on the design, construction, shape, heel, assembly, and the expertise of those who craft it. This is the BIKKOU approach: not seeking to create a simple alternative to leather, but a shoe that is desirable in itself, with its innovative material being an integral part of the creation.
There are now many alternatives to animal leather, with very different compositions and properties: materials incorporating components derived from cactus, cereals, or mycelium, textiles made from recycled PET, or even new generations of bio-based materials.
At BIKKOU, we work in particular with Desserto® cactus, with mycelium-based (mushroom) materials, with Bio-Veg based on bio-polymers derived from cereals, and with recycled textiles. We choose each material according to the model, its finish, its suppleness, and its performance. Each of our materials is labeled and certified.
The term "vegan" simply means that no animal-derived materials are used in the composition of a shoe. On its own, it says nothing about the quality, origin, or impact of the material used in place of leather.
Conventional synthetic leather is generally a synthetic material designed to replicate the appearance of leather. New generations of materials go further: depending on the technology, they incorporate plant-based, bio-sourced, or recycled components—derived, for example, from cactus, cereals, or mycelium—in order to reduce the share of fossil-based materials and explore new ways of manufacturing.
This is the approach that BIKKOU favors. We do not choose a material simply because it is "vegan," but for its composition, finish, flexibility, and performance. For our house, being vegan is a prerequisite, not a sufficient argument. We seek out innovative materials for their intrinsic qualities: their composition, texture, flexibility, finish, and performance.
Absolutely. A shoe without animal leather can be just as durable as a traditional shoe. However, "vegan" does not refer to a single material: cactus, cereals, mycelium, or plant fibers each have their own characteristics.
At BIKKOU, we therefore choose each material based on the model and the intended use. Some are particularly supple, others more structured, and some require specific care. Because for us, innovating is first and foremost about seeking to do things in the most righteous way possible.
Maintenance depends on the material. For most smooth surfaces, use a soft cloth and a neutral cleaning product, without scrubbing excessively. Avoid oily creams intended for nourishing animal leather, as they are generally not suitable.
We also recommend regularly waterproofing your shoes with a product compatible with their material, letting them dry naturally away from heat sources, and, if possible, using shoe trees to maintain their shape. For textiles or specific materials, always refer to the care guide.
Style
For a wedding, choose a shoe that works with your outfit but, above all, with the day you are about to experience. A pump, a slingback, or a heeled sandal must offer enough support and a height you feel comfortable in for several hours.
Gold, silver, nude, or colorful shades can bring light to an outfit without necessarily stealing the spotlight. At BIKKOU, we especially love the idea of a formal shoe that you will want to wear again afterward—for a dinner, a party, or simply because an ordinary Tuesday sometimes deserves a beautiful pair.
The simplest approach is often not to overdo it. A statement shoe—patent pump, metallic sandal, bright color, or architectural heel—can become the detail that transforms a pair of jeans, well-tailored trousers, a suit, or a very simple dress.
At BIKKOU, we love this contrast precisely: elegant lines with just the right amount of the unexpected. A statement pair doesn't need to wait for a special occasion. It can precisely add flair to the simplest everyday clothes.

