Benzein Shoes

The company's founder came from a family with shoe business experience dating back to 1986, providing decades of accumulated expertise that contributed to the brand's rapid recognition in the Indonesian boot making scene. Benzein operated from a small workshop in Bandung with craftsmen focusing on hand-welted construction methods.

Benzein was established in early 2018 by Adi, who served as both founder and designer of the brand. The company name derived from a combination of the founder's son's name "Ben" and the family company initial "Zein." The business built upon a family foundation in footwear, as Adi's family had been involved in the shoe business since 1986, providing nearly four decades of experience in the industry.

The company started as a small workshop in Bandung, Indonesia, a city that serves as a major production hub known for skilled shoemakers and leather craftsmen. Indonesia ranks as the world's fourth-largest shoe producer and exporter, manufacturing over 1.3 billion pairs of shoes annually and exporting footwear valued at more than $6.5 billion. Within this context, Benzein quickly established itself among Indonesia's growing number of handmade bootmakers.

In 2023, Benzein underwent a significant brand transition, ceasing operations under its original name and rebranding as Briselblack Bootmaker. The rebranding occurred due to business circumstances involving the company's primary investor, who withdrew support while retaining a personal connection to the Benzein name and requesting that Adi discontinue its use.

Adi retained ownership of Benzein's designs and lasts during the transition. The new brand name "Briselblack" was carefully chosen, with "Brisel" being an intentional misspelling of the verb "bristle," referring to standing up straight and rigid, while "Black" symbolizes strength and power. Together, "Briselblack" represents the concept of standing up straight and strong.

Despite the name change, the company maintained continuity in its operations, continuing to offer the same styles, lasts, and quality materials found in the original Benzein catalog alongside new Briselblack models. The transition represented a continuation of the established craftsmanship and design philosophy rather than a fundamental change in approach.

Benzein specialized in handmade, laceless boots produced through a Made to Order (MTO) system. The company's core product lines included several distinctive styles, each with specific design characteristics and intended uses.

The Chelsea boot line, known as "The Seventh," featured a wholecut design that was first released in mid-2019. This style became particularly recognized among the company's offerings and contributed to its reputation in the heritage footwear community.

Other product lines included Side Zip boots ("The Stride"), designed for ease of wear with a sleek silhouette; Jodhpur boots ("The Kai"), featuring a two-piece upper with full-length strap in a minimalist design; Engineer boots ("The Keeper"), inspired by classic American work and motorcycle boots with roller buckles; Tanker boots ("The Hanker"), drawing from military-inspired design with leather straps for mobility; and Cowboy boots ("The Bullet"), featuring a squarish toe and high stacked-leather heels inspired by American West riding boots.

All products emphasized high-quality leather selection, custom material options, and attention to construction details including welt construction, outsole specifications, and edge finishing.

Benzein employed craftsmen with decades of experience in shoemaking, focusing on maintaining high standards of workmanship throughout the production process. The company emphasized material quality and comfort while developing products intended for the global heritage footwear market.

Construction methods centered on hand-crafted techniques with particular attention paid to welt construction, outsole attachment, and edge finishing details. The workshop operated with a collaborative team approach, reflecting Adi's philosophy that the work represented collective effort rather than individual achievement.

The company's approach prioritized continuous learning and product refinement, with a long-term goal of creating a sustainable family business that could maintain quality standards while serving the international heritage footwear community. Materials were sourced to meet the requirements of customers seeking durable, well-constructed boots with traditional construction methods.