Genuine handmade product from Mexico
Our colorful shoes are lovingly handcrafted by local Mayan families in Mexico. At their heart: classic espadrilles in the traditional Mayan style – interpreted in imaginative, trendy designs. With over 130 colors and expressive patterns, each pair is truly unique. All materials come from carefully selected sources – for durable, robust, and comfortable favorites.
Mauricio Santillan & Abiff Ortiz
The founders and owners of Tags, Mauricio Santillán and Abiff Ortiz , are industrial designers and friends since their university days. Together they founded their own label and are breathing new life into the traditional espadrille – with unique motifs that combine tradition and contemporary style. They design their fabrics themselves, combining traditional elements with modern patterns and current themes.
Our values
WE WALK TOGETHER
We would like to...
To be a design icon for modern societies.
Produce handcrafted Mexican quality products.
Supporting social projects to work with people facing systematic disadvantage.
OUR MOTTO
- From the cities to the municipalities.
- From global to local.
- From technology to handcraft.
- Design in harmony with heritage and tradition
Material & Construction
Fabric : Polyester
Insole : synthetic leather
Midsole : Celtec foam
Elastic gusset for easy dressing
nylon thread
Leather-look straps
Wrapped with natural Hanequen fiber / sisal rope
Outsole : Rubber
OUR WORKSHOP
The story of Doña Rosario's old workshop in Hunucmá
When Abiff and Mau founded Tags, they first worked with Don Manuel in Hunucmá, a small Mayan community outside Mérida, Yucatán. His workshop was right next to his house – a simple room steeped in artisanal tradition, where cutting, sewing, and resoling took place daily.
When Don Manuel fell ill, his wife , Doña Rosario, took on many tasks: cutting, sewing, and organizing. Only the resoling she couldn't do herself. After his death, she wanted to continue running the workshop, but couldn't find any employees in the rural community. Many men didn't want to work for a woman, and others weren't allowed to. A women-only workshop wasn't feasible either, as most women were needed at home.
So, with a heavy heart, Doña Rosario had to close the workshop.
Today she runs a small shop in her house selling everyday necessities – proudly, independently and deeply rooted in her community.
The old workshop remains an important part of the tag's history:
a place full of dedication, craftsmanship, and the people with whom it all began
The story of José's new workshop in Hunucmá
After Doña Rosario could no longer run her workshop, Mau and Abiff had to find a new production site. The tip came from Miguel, a former employee of Don Manuel. He told them about José , a craftsman in Hunucmá who had the necessary experience, machinery, and knowledge for tag production.
José lives with his family on a property in Hunucmá. Behind his house is his open workshop – without doors or windows, filled with warm breezes and the sounds of family life: chickens, dogs, children playing, and laundry in the yard. This is what traditional craftsmanship looks like in Yucatán.
At the entrance stands an old shoemaking machine from the 60s, which will soon be repaired and used again – a piece of history that lives on.
José and Miguel work here every day. When the workload is larger, they get help from neighbors. Community and craftsmanship go hand in hand here.
Today, this workshop is the heart of tag production in Hunucmá – a place where tradition, genuine craftsmanship and everyday family life merge together.
Tags are washable!
Since Tags uses a robust, genuine shoe sole instead of a delicate straw sole, the espadrilles are even washable – by hand or in a cold washing machine cycle. Wash them again and again! This keeps the shoes looking and sparkling clean for a long time.
FAQs
How do I find the right size?
The shoes are true to size, but for your peace of mind, you'll find a size chart on each product page. Simply measure your foot length and compare it to the measurements provided. The sole can be about 1 cm longer than the measurements. You can also use the width (measured at the widest point) as a guide.
Why doesn't Tags have a straw sole like classic espadrilles?
The problem with straw soles is that they often don't hold together very well and they don't tolerate moisture well, let alone washing. Tags espadrilles, on the other hand, have a proper shoe sole, with an insole and a rubber outsole, so getting wet is absolutely no problem; they can even be washed in the washing machine!
Does the fabric stretch over time?
A little, but not too much. The sturdy hems and double fabric mean that the top stretches a bit, but doesn't lose its shape.
Why does Tags use polyester fabric instead of cotton?
Polyester is more durable, water-repellent, and quick-drying – ideal for canvas shoes that are meant to last. It's lightweight, easy to care for, and retains colors and prints exceptionally well. Perfect for eye-catching designs and active days in any weather.
Why are some outsoles stitched and others not?
In the workshop, they simply use different methods; some still sew the outsole, and some don't. However, all soles are glued and hold extremely well, regardless of whether they're sewn or not. Will the seam on the outsole come undone over time? Yes, the seam will come undone here and there after a lot of walking, but this isn't a defect or a problem because the outsoles are also glued and will still hold.
Next Gen TAGS Designer Donation Program
For every pair of tags sold, we donate money to our own creative project “Next Gen Tags Designer” in Mérida, Mexico.
Slow Fashion
What do we mean by slow fashion?
Slow fashion is an approach to fashion production and consumption that focuses on sustainability, ethics, and quality. In contrast to "fast fashion," which prioritizes rapid production and frequent product turnover, slow fashion values durable garments and longevity.
Quality over quantity : Slow fashion brands focus on producing high-quality garments that are durable and can be worn for extended periods. Less is more!
Local production : Some slow fashion brands prefer local production to reduce environmental impact and support the local economy.
Less waste : Slow fashion encourages more conscious consumer behavior by buying less and wearing clothes more often and for longer periods.
Handmade & Made-to-Order : Slow fashion is often handmade and produced to order to avoid the use of large machines and factories. The absence of a large warehouse prevents overproduction of outdated models or surplus stock.
Sustainability in tags
Durability as the core of sustainability
longevity
Sustainability through longevity: Each pair of espadrilles is handcrafted in a local workshop in Yucatán, Mexico, by skilled artisans. Using robust, durable materials and traditional techniques, they create shoes that are not only high-quality but can also be worn for many years.
warehousing
We deliberately focus on small inventory levels and demand-driven production. Part of our collection is stored locally, while the rest is made to order in our workshop in Mexico. This allows us to avoid overproduction, conserve resources, and respond flexibly to your requests – responsibly, fairly, and in line with our slow-fashion principles.
Shipping and packaging
For shipping, we use space-saving paper-based packaging, supplemented by a minimalist plastic shipping bag that offers maximum protection. Our packaging is already as efficient as the new EU Packaging Directive will require from 2030 onwards: thanks to its flat design, it contains hardly any empty space and saves valuable volume during shipping.
Tags-2-Dead Recycling
With our Tags 2 Tote program, we take back old Tag shoes and recycle the fabric. Together with fabric scraps from our production, we transform these materials into useful and durable shopping bags, which are sold in our shop. The bags are made in social workshops in Germany, and a portion of the proceeds goes back to Mexico.
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