Beckett Simonon

Beckett Simonon was founded in November 2012 by Nicholas Hurtado and Andrés Niño, two childhood friends from Bogotá, Colombia who met in school more than 20 years prior to launching the company. Both founders were 26 years old at the time of the company's establishment. Prior to Beckett Simonon, Hurtado and Niño had co-founded Hasso, a bag and accessories brand, gaining entrepreneurial and product development experience in the fashion industry.

The founders identified an opportunity in the footwear market based on their understanding of Colombian leatherworking tradition and retail economics. They learned that most retailers price products at eight to ten times the original manufacturing cost, creating an opportunity for value through direct sales. The company launched with an initial inventory offering that sold out within the first month of operation, validating the market demand for their approach.

Based in Bogotá, the founders recognized that Colombian shoemaking artisans, particularly those in the El Restrepo district, possessed skills that were underutilized in the global market. In 2017, Beckett Simonon invested in a workshop that had existed for three generations, providing infrastructure for their expanding production operations while preserving traditional craftsmanship.

Beckett Simonon operates on a made-to-order production system combined with direct-to-consumer sales. Under this model, products are physically constructed after customers place online orders rather than being manufactured for inventory. This approach allows the company to conduct short-term production runs, reducing material waste and inventory costs while maintaining quality control.

The made-to-order system results in production timelines of two to three months, and sometimes longer, from order placement to delivery. This extended timeframe represents a trade-off that enables the company to offer competitive pricing by minimizing overhead and material waste.

By eliminating traditional retail intermediaries, Beckett Simonon removes the standard eight-to-ten-times markup that retailers typically apply to manufacturing costs. This direct-to-consumer approach positions the company's products at price points substantially lower than comparable luxury footwear while maintaining similar materials, components, construction methods, and finishing quality.

All Beckett Simonon footwear is handcrafted by skilled artisans in the company's Bogotá workshop. Each pair undergoes more than 150 manual production steps, reflecting the detailed nature of traditional shoemaking methods. The company emphasizes ethical production practices and the preservation of Colombian leatherworking heritage.

The company utilizes Blake stitch construction for all footwear products. Blake stitching is a technique that originated in the mid-19th century, involving direct stitching of the upper, lining, insole, midsole, and outsole together through a single row of stitching. This construction method creates a lighter, more streamlined, and more flexible shoe compared to Goodyear welted alternatives. The Blake stitch allows for easier break-in periods and enhanced comfort while maintaining durability and resolability.

Beckett Simonon previously produced Goodyear welted shoes but made a conscious decision to transition to Blake stitch construction. This change enabled the company to create slimmer, lower-profile designs that align with contemporary dress shoe aesthetics while maintaining the structural integrity necessary for long-term wear and resoling capability.

Beckett Simonon's product line focuses on men's dress shoes and boots constructed with Blake stitching. The company uses full-grain leather throughout its offerings, emphasizing material quality within the accessible price segment. Products are priced under 200 US dollars, positioning the brand as a value proposition in the dress footwear market.

The product range includes oxfords, brogues, monk straps, Chelsea boots, and chukka boots, representing traditional dress shoe categories. All products feature the company's signature Blake stitch construction and are manufactured in the Bogotá workshop.

The company's pricing strategy places products in a competitive position relative to both budget and luxury alternatives. At under 200 dollars, Beckett Simonon shoes occupy a middle ground that few brands address with comparable design aesthetics, material quality, and construction standards.